SB 270 changes the payment schedule for the Kansas Educator Registered Apprenticeship Grant Program. It requires grants covering tuition, fees, books, and materials to be issued twice yearly - specifically when payments are due - instead of the previous schedule. This directly affects education apprentices (future teachers) enrolled in participating schools, ensuring funds align with their billing cycles. The bill does not alter the $2,750 annual grant limit, eligibility, or program structure, only the timing of disbursements. The change aims to better match financial support with actual payment deadlines for apprentices.
HB 2202 requires Kansas postsecondary education institutions training future teachers to equip pre-service educators (those studying to become licensed teachers) in early childhood, elementary, secondary, and special education with specific knowledge about fetal alcohol syndrome disorder (FASD). The bill mandates that these institutions teach trainees to recognize FASD signs and behaviors, understand its impacts on learning and behavior, and learn communication techniques for discussing suspected FASD with parents or guardians. This applies to all state universities, municipal universities, community colleges, and accredited private institutions in Kansas offering teacher preparation programs. The policy directly affects teacher training programs and future educators, aiming to improve support for children with FASD in schools.
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.
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 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 101 creates a new statewide "D.A.R.E. Educator" position within the Kansas Attorney General's office. This role directly affects public elementary and secondary schools across Kansas by requiring the educator to provide drug abuse prevention instruction using an attorney general-approved curriculum, specifically including content on fentanyl and opioids. The bill mandates the educator to report annually to the legislature about curriculum changes and list all public schools participating in the program. The position is funded through available appropriations and becomes effective upon publication in the statute book.
