SB 75 creates an income tax credit for Kansas taxpayers with dependent children enrolled in private schools instead of public school. It provides $8,000 per child for accredited private schools or $4,000 for non-accredited private schools, directly affecting families choosing private education. The credit is capped at $125 million for 2025, with annual adjustments based on prior year usage, and prioritizes taxpayers who received the credit previously. Taxpayers must provide Social Security numbers for children and cannot claim the credit if their child received a scholarship under another program. Excess credit amounts are refunded if they exceed tax liability.
HB 2320 allows children in Kansas's Department for Children and Families (DCF) custody to attend any school district, with two key options: they can enroll in the school district where they are placed or remain in their original school. The bill requires DCF to notify the relevant school district and transfer all school records within two business days of a placement change. If a child stays in their original school, the district must create a transportation plan. This applies to all children under DCF custody who might otherwise face enrollment barriers due to placement shifts.
SB 123 requires the state to reimburse Kansas school districts $0.40 per reduced-price meal served starting in the 2025-2026 school year, replacing a previous 6-cent rate. It directly prohibits local school boards from charging students for these meals, ensuring no out-of-pocket costs for eligible families. The bill also bans using state funds for meals labeled as "identifiable imported meats." This policy change affects all Kansas public schools participating in federally approved reduced-price meal programs and shifts funding responsibility from local fees to state general funds.
SB 263 establishes standards for active shooter drills in Kansas public and accredited nonpublic K-12 schools. It requires drills to be trauma-informed, age-appropriate, and inclusive (including accommodations for students with disabilities), while banning drills that mimic real shootings. Schools must notify parents 24 hours in advance with opt-out options, provide alternative safety education for opted-out students, and conduct annual reviews of drill impacts on student and staff well-being. The bill also mandates annual evidence-based violence prevention training for grades 6-12 and prohibits active shooter simulations during school hours without specific parental consent for grades 9-12.
HB 2129 transfers all Kansas teachers from the KPERS 3 retirement plan (2015) to the KPERS 2 plan (2009). It defines "teacher" broadly to include certified school staff and college instructors, requiring all new teachers hired on or after July 1, 2025, to join KPERS 2 immediately. Existing teachers will automatically transfer to KPERS 2 on January 1, 2026, with all prior contributions and service credits preserved, and guaranteed benefits not reduced. The bill ensures no loss of rights or benefits during the transition, with employer contributions offsetting transfer costs. This affects all K-12 and community college teachers under KPERS.
SB 163 prohibits school districts from including clauses in employment contracts that exclude documentation of disciplinary or behavioral corrective actions taken against professional employees. The bill directly affects school districts and their professional employees (such as teachers and certified staff), requiring contracts to explicitly include such records. It amends Kansas law (K.S.A. 72-2218) to ensure these records cannot be omitted from employment agreements, promoting transparency in personnel documentation. The policy change applies specifically to professional employees, not administrative staff covered under separate definitions.
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.
