SB 48 requires Kansas school districts to demonstrate measurable academic improvement - specifically reducing students scoring at the lowest level on state assessments and increasing those scoring above the mid-level - starting in 2026 to maintain accreditation. It also mandates full compliance with all federal and state education laws, with districts facing accreditation loss if noncompliance isn’t corrected by June 30 of the following school year. Districts failing accreditation must publicly report their challenges and resource reallocation plans to education committees during the next legislative session. This directly affects all public school districts in Kansas, tying their accreditation status to specific, quantifiable academic progress and legal compliance.
SB 288 prohibits adult sex offenders (18+ years old) who committed crimes against minors (victims under 18) from entering school grounds or attending school events in Kansas. It creates criminal penalties for violations: a first offense is a severity level 6 felony, escalating to level 3 for third or subsequent offenses. The bill amends Kansas' offender registration law to include this school access ban as a specific restriction. This directly affects individuals convicted of sex crimes where the victim was a minor, as defined under Kansas law.
HB 2138 allows Kansas school districts to impose an annual property tax of up to two mills (0.2% of a property's taxable value) to fund school building safety, security, and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. School districts must adopt a resolution for the tax, and if 10% of qualified voters petition against it within 40 days, a public vote may be held. The state will include this tax in its capital outlay aid calculation, meaning school districts receive matching state funds for these projects. This bill amends Kansas law to create a dedicated funding mechanism for school infrastructure improvements.
HB 2259 requires Kansas public school districts to adopt policies banning students' personal phones and tablets during instructional hours, with exceptions for special education plans, teacher-approved educational use, or health emergencies. It also mandates the state education board to create an annual social media awareness period, developing age-appropriate materials teaching students about social media risks (like misinformation and mental health impacts), safe usage (privacy, identifying predators), and benefits (career building, connecting with others). The policy directly affects all public school students and districts, as well as nonpublic schools through shared state materials. This bill implements concrete changes to school device policies and integrates social media education into curricula, without specifying enforcement details or outcomes.
HB 2140 creates a statewide Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) educator position within the Attorney General's office. This position must provide approved drug education curriculum - including specific content on fentanyl and opioids - to public elementary and secondary schools in Kansas. The D.A.R.E. educator is required to report annually to the legislature about curriculum changes and list the public schools participating in the program. The bill directly affects Kansas public schools and students by mandating this standardized drug education program under state oversight.
SB 87 expands Kansas' tax credit program for low-income student scholarships by removing the requirement that students must have previously attended a public school. It increases the tax credit rate for donors from 70% to 75% for tax years starting in 2023, while maintaining an annual scholarship cap of $8,000 per student. The bill directly affects low-income students (including those in foster care, military families, or with parents in emergency services) and scholarship organizations by broadening eligibility and making contributions more valuable for donors. Key mechanisms include eliminating prior public school enrollment as a requirement and raising the credit rate to encourage greater private funding for educational scholarships.
HB 2295 increases state funding for school meal programs in Kansas by raising reimbursements from $0.06 to $0.40 per reduced-price meal served starting in the 2025-2026 school year. It directly affects local school districts and students qualifying for reduced-price meals by requiring the state to cover the full cost, prohibiting school boards from charging these students for meals. The bill amends state law to replace the previous reimbursement rate and explicitly bans local fees for reduced-price meals under this program.
HB 2299 prohibits public educational institutions in Kansas (including K-12 schools, community colleges, and state universities) from engaging in religious discrimination or promoting antisemitism. It defines antisemitism using the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s 2016 definition, covering acts like threatening violence against Jewish people or allowing antisemitic curriculum. The attorney general can investigate complaints, subpoena evidence, and impose civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation for institutions that violate the law. The bill explicitly excludes religious education coursework from the prohibition.
SB 142 allows Kansas school districts to add a licensed teacher as a nonvoting member on their board of education. The teacher must be elected by fellow teachers in the district and serve a two-year term, with possible re-election for one additional term. School districts decide whether to implement this, and the teacher representative cannot participate in teacher contract negotiations. The bill amends Kansas statutes to formally authorize this position within existing school board structures.
SB 252 expands Kansas' low-income student scholarship program to include specific high school students and those eligible to attend school districts with low standardized test scores (under 50% meeting achievement levels). It increases tax credits for donors and raises the annual program limit, while keeping scholarships capped at $8,000 per student. The state treasurer will now manage program administration, and new eligibility rules allow current scholarship recipients (who haven’t graduated or turned 21) and students in qualifying districts to participate. This directly affects low-income families seeking educational options through tax-credit-funded scholarships.
