15 more bills to know about that were introduced during week 2 of the 2024 Kansas Legislative session

Tuesday started off the second week for the Kansas Legislature. Below, we have listed 15 new bills of particular interest to The Kansas Constitutional that have been introduced this week. It should be noted that just because we find the following bills to be of interest does not necessarily mean that we endorse them.

Abortion

HB 2515: Creates a civil cause of action against any healthcare provider who injures a child during an attempted abortion.

Criminal Justice

HB 2550 & SB 364: Allows victims of childhood sexual abuse to bring civil action for recovery of damages suffered as a result of such abuse at any time and reviving claims against any party for such damages that occurred on or after July 1, 1984.

Education

HB 2506: Allows students enrolled in virtual schools to participate in activities regulated by the Kansas State High School Activities Association.

HB 2521: Requires State Board of Education to authorize teaching licenses for individuals who complete an alternative teacher certification program.

Elections

HB 2504: Requires that only physical paper ballots can be reviewed when conducting election audits.

HB 2513: Changes the time period for the transmittal and return of advance voting ballots and requires such ballots to be returned the day of the election.

HB 2519: Expands the crime of corrupt political advertising to include advertising related to proposed constitutional amendments, bond issues, and other question submitted propositions.

SB 366: Prohibits mailing of advance voting ballot applications to voters unless by a county election official pursuant to a request by the voter.

SB 368: Prohibits ranked-choice voting for elections.

Health and Health Care

SB 355: Grows the government through Medicaid Expansion.

LGBT Issues

SB 353: Creating a civil cause of action against a physician who performs childhood gender reassignment service and requiring revocation of a physician’s license who performs childhood gender reassignment service.

Media

SB 358: School districts and local libraries cannot prohibit, ban, or restrict books without certain requirements being met.

Taxation

HB 2529: Decreasing individual income tax rates.

HB 2546: Changes the date from January 1, 2025 to April 1, 2024 for when the tax rate on food and food ingredients lowers to 0 percent and increases the percent credited to the state highway fund from revenue collected.