Education

in committee · Kansas · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 2717: Decreasing the minimum age requirement from age seven to six for compulsory school attendance of students.

HB 2717 would lower Kansas' compulsory school attendance age from seven to six years old. This change affects all parents of children aged six through seventeen who haven't earned a high school diploma or equivalent credential. The bill amends state law to require enrollment at age six instead of seven, while maintaining existing exemptions for older students (e.g., 16-17 year olds in approved programs) and special circumstances like religious instruction. It does not alter other requirements, such as school enrollment periods or religious accommodation provisions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationLowers compulsory school age from 7 to 6, expanding mandatory K-12 enrollment and supporting early educational access within K-12 policy framework.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood K-12 Education

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died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2662: Enacting the student safety and awareness act to require school districts to designate a month during the school year as student safety and awareness month and to provide educational programs for students on the dangers and effects of fentanyl use, personal safety and awareness and social media literacy, safety and responsibility during such designated month.

HB 2662 requires Kansas public school districts to designate one month annually as "Student Safety and Awareness Month" and implement age-appropriate educational programs for students. These programs must cover fentanyl/substance abuse risks, personal safety boundaries, social media literacy, and digital citizenship, with content tailored to grade levels (e.g., basic internet safety for K-5, bullying prevention for 6-8, dating safety for 9-12). Schools may integrate these topics into existing health or social studies classes and cannot require new staff or funding, though parents may opt their children out of specific sessions. The law mandates annual reporting to the state board, with a state model to be developed by July 2027.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates annual safety education programs on fentanyl, personal safety, and social media literacy, enhancing student curriculum and educational programming.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health

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died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 515: Authorizing nonpublic schools to permit nonaccredited private elementary or secondary school students to participate in certain activities for such nonpublic schools.

SB 515 allows Kansas nonpublic schools to permit students enrolled in nonaccredited private elementary or secondary schools to participate in school activities like sports, clubs, and events. To qualify, students must be Kansas residents, meet age and eligibility requirements set by the activities association, and pay any fees required of all participants. The bill prohibits nonpublic schools from denying participation based on a student's enrollment status in a nonaccredited school and ensures these students have the same rights and responsibilities as other participants. This policy change removes barriers for nonaccredited private school students seeking to join extracurricular activities at nonpublic schools.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly expands educational access by allowing nonaccredited private school students to participate in school activities like sports and clubs, removing enrollment-based barriers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education School Choice

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died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 491: Enacting the Haylee Weissenbach protecting students act to establish the office of education inspector general, authorize the education inspector general to conduct audits, investigations and reviews of educational institutions, require reporting of suspected professional and criminal misconduct by school employees and agents, require certain individuals to register on an educator misconduct registry, require criminal history record checks of school employees and agents and provide for civil penalties for violations of this act.

SB 491, the Haylee Weissenbach Protecting Students Act, creates an independent Office of Education Inspector General in Kansas to oversee K-12 schools (including public, charter, and nonpublic institutions). It requires schools to report suspected professional or criminal misconduct by employees or agents (like volunteers or contractors), mandates criminal background checks for all school staff, and establishes an educator misconduct registry for individuals posing risks to students. The bill also requires schools to conduct audits and investigations into misconduct, prohibits retaliation against those reporting issues, and imposes civil penalties for noncompliance. These provisions directly affect all Kansas school districts, nonpublic schools, and their employees or contracted service providers.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates Office of Education Inspector General to protect students via misconduct reporting, background checks, and registry, directly advancing student safety in K-12 education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Teachers

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died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2692: Establishing standards of conduct for agents of the United States immigration and customs enforcement (ICE) prohibiting facial covering of agents, requiring vehicles be clearly marked, requiring judicial search warrants, prohibiting raids in places of worships, schools, daycare centers, hospitals and courts, requiring minimum training.

HB 2692 is a Kansas state bill requiring U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents operating within Kansas to follow specific conduct standards. It prohibits agents from wearing facial coverings, mandates clear vehicle markings and identification, and requires judicial warrants for raids in schools, places of worship, hospitals, courts, and daycare centers. The bill also bans door-to-door residential raids and sets a minimum 14-week training standard for agents, matching Kansas law enforcement requirements. This legislation applies directly to federal ICE agents conducting enforcement activities in Kansas.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires judicial warrants for raids in sensitive locations, bans facial coverings, mandates training - enhances accountability and protects civil rights in ICE operations, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill prohibits ICE raids in schools, protecting educational environments from disruptions and ensuring student/staff safety per its explicit provisions.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationRequires judicial warrants for ICE raids in schools, places of worship, hospitals, and courts to protect immigrants from intrusive enforcement, aligning with immigrant rights protection.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2680: Renaming the tax credit for low income students scholarship program the Kansas K-12 students scholarship program, expanding eligibility under the program, increasing the aggregate tax credit limit and moving the program's administration to the state treasurer.

HB 2680 renames Kansas' low-income student scholarship program to the "Kansas K-12 Students Scholarship Program" and expands eligibility to include students identified by scholarship organizations as having financial need, not just those meeting income thresholds (250% of federal poverty guidelines). The bill increases the annual scholarship limit to $8,000 per student and transfers program administration from the Department of Revenue to the State Treasurer. It also adds requirements for scholarship organizations, including financial reporting and bonding for larger contributions. The changes aim to broaden access to private school funding while centralizing oversight under the State Treasurer's office.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands tax credit eligibility and increases annual limit to $8,000, providing tax relief for low-income students under a scholarship program.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands scholarship eligibility beyond income thresholds and increases annual funding limit to $8,000 per student, directly advancing educational access and funding for K-12 students.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits K-12 Education School Choice School Funding

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died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2628: Establishing a refundable income tax credit for tuition payments and fees made to postsecondary educational institutions.

HB 2628 creates a refundable Kansas income tax credit for residents paying tuition and fees at eligible colleges or universities. It allows qualifying taxpayers to claim up to $300 per year toward these costs for themselves or their child, with any unused portion refunded if the credit exceeds their tax bill. The credit applies to Kansas residents who paid for attendance at institutions meeting state-defined standards under K.S.A. 72-3222. This policy directly supports families and individuals covering higher education expenses, making the credit accessible even if they owe no state income tax.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRefundable tax credit reduces liability for tuition, offering direct tax relief to families supporting education expenses, aligning with tax relief indicators for middle-income groups.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates refundable tax credit for postsecondary tuition, directly reducing costs and increasing access to higher education for Kansas residents.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Higher Education School Choice Student Financial Aid

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died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2784: Decreasing the rate of ad valorem tax imposed by a school district and providing for certain transfers to the state school district finance fund.

HB 2784 lowers the property tax rate for Kansas school districts from 20 mills to 19 mills for the 2026-2027 school year. It directly affects school districts by reducing their local property tax revenue and requires the state to transfer funds from the general fund and budget stabilization fund to the state school district finance fund to offset this loss. The bill amends tax laws to automatically calculate and transfer the revenue difference based on the rate decrease, ensuring school districts maintain funding levels. This change applies specifically to the 2026-2027 school year as defined in the bill.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReduces local property tax rate (20→19 mills) while mandating state fund transfers to maintain school district funding, providing tax relief and ensuring continued public education financing.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires state transfers to offset reduced school district tax revenue, maintaining funding levels despite lower property tax rate.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Property Tax Revenue School Funding

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died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2663: Modifying the requirements for student cohorts and achievement goals for school district at-risk accountability plans.

HB 2663 modifies how Kansas school districts track progress for students in at-risk programs. It requires districts to identify specific student groups (including those eligible for free meals) and set four-year academic improvement goals for each group in English language arts and math. Districts must implement 2-4 state-approved interventions for these groups and evaluate progress using state assessments and other approved measures. The bill aims to ensure targeted support and measurable progress toward state goals for all students, without allowing districts to change established goals once set.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires districts to set academic goals and implement interventions for at-risk students, ensuring targeted support and measurable progress in K-12 education.85% confidence

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died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2645: Extending the tax credit for certain contributions to community colleges and technical colleges for capital improvements, deferred maintenance or the purchase of technology or equipment.

HB 2645 extends a 60% tax credit for Kansas businesses and individuals who donate to community colleges or technical colleges for capital improvements, deferred maintenance, or technology/equipment purchases. The credit applies to contributions made between 2022 and 2031, allowing donors to reduce their state income tax liability by up to 60% of qualifying donations. Funds must be deposited into designated capital outlay or maintenance funds at the institutions, with strict rules ensuring they support specific infrastructure needs rather than new construction. This policy directly affects taxpayers who make eligible contributions to participating Kansas community colleges and technical colleges.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExtends 60% tax credit for donations to community colleges, reducing state tax liability while funding public education capital projects.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExtends 60% tax credit for donations to community colleges for capital improvements, technology, and maintenance, directly funding higher education infrastructure and resources.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly provides tax credit for technology/equipment purchases at community colleges, directly funding tech infrastructure investments.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits

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