K-12 Education Budget

HB 2303 establishes the Division of Longitudinal Data within Kansas' Legislative Research Department to create and manage the Kansas Longitudinal Data System. This system securely links and analyzes education data (like student performance, graduation, and career readiness) and workforce data (such as employment, wages, and training) from state agencies, while strictly protecting personally identifiable information through de-identification. The bill requires participating agencies (including education, labor, and health departments) to enter formal agreements with the division to share data, and it mandates a publicly accessible online registry of educational and occupational credentials. The system aims to provide lawmakers and state agencies with aggregated data to support evidence-based decisions on education and workforce development, without revealing individual identities.

HB 2656 establishes Kansas' "No Kid Hungry in Schools" program, requiring public school districts with high student poverty rates to provide free breakfasts and lunches to all students. The state reimburses districts for the cost difference between federal meal reimbursements and the federal free-meal rate, covering up to one breakfast and one lunch per student daily. School districts must participate if they qualify under federal poverty thresholds for free meal eligibility, and must offer two federally reimbursable meals per student per day. The bill amends existing school meal funding laws to implement this state-level reimbursement system.

HB 2672 updates Kansas statutes by replacing outdated and disrespectful terms like "retarded" and "mentally retarded" with "intellectual disability" in two specific laws. It amends K.S.A. 76-6b04 (which describes tax revenues for state institutions) and K.S.A. 76-17d01 (which relates to acquiring property for a state institution). The bill removes the old terminology and repeals the previous sections of these statutes. This change directly affects how state law refers to individuals with intellectual disabilities, ensuring language aligns with current, respectful standards without altering the underlying policies.

Died in Committee

The Legislature having adjourned sine die on April 30, 2024, there was no opportunity to reconsider and the line-item veto is sustained.