Latest news with #Kansans'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Transgender teens challenge Kansas law banning gender-affirming care for minors
Two transgender teenagers and their parents are challenging a Kansas law banning gender-affirming care for minors, arguing the measure violates the state constitution and 'is actively harming Kansas families' in a lawsuit filed Wednesday in a state district court. Kansas's Senate Bill 63 prohibits health care providers from administering treatments such as puberty blockers, hormone therapy and surgeries to minors diagnosed with gender dysphoria, characterized by a severe psychological distress that stems from a mismatch between a person's gender identity and sex at birth. The bill, passed by the state Legislature in January, includes exceptions for minors born with 'a medically verifiable disorder of sex development.' Health care providers who break the law, which also targets social transition, face civil penalties and may be stripped of their license. The American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Kansas filed Wednesday's challenge in Douglas County District Court pseudonymously on behalf of plaintiffs Lily Loe, 13, Ryan Roe, 16, and their mothers, Lisa Loe and Rebecca Roe. The two children 'have been thriving since they started receiving puberty blockers and hormone therapy,' the lawsuit states, 'but now their trusted doctors in Kansas can no longer help them, and they are at risk of unimaginable suffering.' For their parents, Senate Bill 63 'impermissibly infringes on the fundamental right to the care, custody, and control of their children,' the lawsuit says, 'by displacing their medical decision-making authority with a government mandate, even when they, their adolescent children, and medical providers are all aligned.' Republican state Attorney General Kris Kobach, who is named in the lawsuit, did not immediately return a request for comment. Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed the bill in February for the third time in as many years, though her veto ultimately did not stand. 'It is disappointing that the Legislature continues to push for government interference in Kansans' private medical decisions instead of focusing on issues that improve all Kansans' lives,' Kelly said in a statement at the time. 'Infringing on parental rights is not appropriate, nor is it a Kansas value. As I've said before, it is not the job of politicians to stand between a parent and a child who needs medical care of any kind.' The state's Republican-led Legislature overrode Kelly's veto the following week. Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson (R) and House Speaker Dan Hawkins (R) said they voted to override the governor's action 'in honor of the children Governor Kelly failed to protect with her repeated vetoes of this sensible legislation.' The ACLU and the ACLU of Kansas are seeking an injunction to block enforcement of the law while the case moves forward. 'Our clients and every Kansan should have the freedom to make their own private medical decisions and consult with their doctors without the intrusion of Kansas politicians,' said D.C. Hiegert, civil liberties legal fellow for the ACLU of Kansas. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
3 days ago
- Health
- The Hill
Transgender teens challenge Kansas law banning gender-affirming care for minors
Two transgender teenagers and their parents are challenging a Kansas law banning gender-affirming care for minors, arguing the measure violates the state constitution and 'is actively harming Kansas families' in a lawsuit filed Wednesday in a state district court. Kansas's Senate Bill 63 prohibits health care providers from administering treatments such as puberty blockers, hormone therapy and surgeries to minors diagnosed with gender dysphoria, characterized by a severe psychological distress that stems from a mismatch between a person's gender identity and sex at birth. The bill, passed by the state Legislature in January, includes exceptions for minors born with 'a medically verifiable disorder of sex development.' Health care providers who break the law, which also targets social transition, face civil penalties and may be stripped of their license. The American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Kansas filed Wednesday's challenge in Douglas County District Court pseudonymously on behalf of plaintiffs Lily Loe, 13, Ryan Roe, 16, and their mothers, Lisa Loe and Rebecca Roe. The two children 'have been thriving since they started receiving puberty blockers and hormone therapy,' the lawsuit states, 'but now their trusted doctors in Kansas can no longer help them, and they are at risk of unimaginable suffering.' For their parents, Senate Bill 63 'impermissibly infringes on the fundamental right to the care, custody, and control of their children,' the lawsuit says, 'by displacing their medical decision-making authority with a government mandate, even when they, their adolescent children, and medical providers are all aligned.' Republican state Attorney General Kris Kobach, who is named in the lawsuit, did not immediately return a request for comment. Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed the bill in February for the third time in as many years, though her veto ultimately did not stand. 'It is disappointing that the Legislature continues to push for government interference in Kansans' private medical decisions instead of focusing on issues that improve all Kansans' lives,' Kelly said in a statement at the time. 'Infringing on parental rights is not appropriate, nor is it a Kansas value. As I've said before, it is not the job of politicians to stand between a parent and a child who needs medical care of any kind.' The state's Republican-led Legislature overrode Kelly's veto the following week. Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson (R) and House Speaker Dan Hawkins (R) said they voted to override the governor's action 'in honor of the children Governor Kelly failed to protect with her repeated vetoes of this sensible legislation.' The ACLU and the ACLU of Kansas are seeking an injunction to block enforcement of the law while the case moves forward. 'Our clients and every Kansan should have the freedom to make their own private medical decisions and consult with their doctors without the intrusion of Kansas politicians,' said D.C. Hiegert, civil liberties legal fellow for the ACLU of Kansas.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kansas denies USDA request for personal data of residents receiving food assistance
Kansas Department for Children and Families denied a request by the federal government for access to personal data of a food assistance program. (Submitted) TOPEKA — State officials have denied a federal request to disclose personal information of Kansans using the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. On May 6, the Kansas Department for Children and Families received a letter from the U.S. Department of Agriculture that demanded 'unfettered access to comprehensive data from all State programs that receive federal funding.' DCF spokeswoman Erin LaRow shared a copy of that letter and other communications in response to an inquiry from Kansas Reflector. The USDA letter specified that information to be collected for each SNAP applicant or recipient included name, Social Security number, date of birth, personal address and records to calculate the amount of SNAP benefits participants received over time. It was signed by Gina Brand, senior policy advisor for integrity at USDA's Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services division. The requested data would cover the time period from Jan. 1, 2020, to the present, the letter said. DCF's SNAP data is held by a third-party database administrator, Fidelity Information Services LLC. That company notified DCF on May 9 that a formal request for Kansas SNAP records had been made from USDA and that because of federal guidance, they were required to disclose that information. 'As such, FIS intends to fully cooperate with the USDA in facilitating its request for information, as required by applicable law and the guidance,' wrote Prashant Gupta, FIS senior vice president. He then asked for DCF's written consent. DCF stopped the process in a letter dated May 14, sent by Carla Whiteside Hicks, the DCF director of economic and employment services. 'Please be advised that we do not consent to your providing the USDA the requested information at this time,' Whiteside Hicks told FIS. 'As you know, our obligation to maintain these records in confidence is paramount and may only be disclosed to the USDA for specific program-related reasons. At this time, we are unsure as to the reason for the USDA's request. As such, we are unable to consent to your turning the information over.' Whiteside Hicks also said DCF will be asking the USDA to contact DCF directly in the future. She asked FIS to turn over any information that they may have already provided to the USDA and to also provide DCF with any written communications the company has received from USDA. LaRow said DCF is reviewing the request from USDA related to the personally identifiable data of Kansans. 'Security of Kansans' personal information is paramount to the agency, and we are committed to maintaining confidentiality consistent with state and federal law,' she said. USDA correspondence
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Kansas Reflector staff rakes in recognition with 16 awards in statewide journalism contest
Tecumseh South Elementary Students wheel the "moon tree" across a field before planting it May 28, 2024. The field is adjacent to the school, which is just east of Topeka in Shawnee County. This photo was part of an entry that won third place for best story/picture combination in the 2025 Kansas Press Association awards. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) The width and breadth of Kansas Reflector journalism was recognized in the annual Kansas Press Association contest results announced Wednesday. From business reporting to commentary to overall recognition, a swath of Reflector reporters, editors and contributors shared the 16 awards in the Division VII category. The task of writing these award summaries has fallen to me over the years, and you might think that the excitement fades, but it hasn't yet. Being part of this staff and effort to bring free, nonprofit journalism to the Sunflower State remains a spectacular privilege. Editor in chief Sherman Smith was named Kansas journalist of the year, his third time winning that award since founding the Reflector in the summer of 2020. He also won first place in the series category for coverage of the Marion County Record newspaper raid anniversary. He shared that award with independent journalist Marisa Kabas. Former Reflector and Missouri Independent reporter Allison Kite and Stateline's Kevin Hardy won first place for local business story. Finally among the first place finishers, opinion contributors Eric Thomas and Mark McCormick were both recognized for column writing. I'm delighted to see Eric and Mark recognized for their determined, consistent and ever-readable pieces. I finished third in the category, which translates to a Reflector sweep of the top three finishers. 'I have the best job in the world because I get to work with all my favorite journalists in a tireless quest to speak truth to power and lift Kansans' voices,' Smith told me Wednesday evening. I couldn't agree more. Further staff members were honored with an array of second-place finishes. Reporter Anna Kaminski received the distinction for her entry in the military story category, while former reporter Rachel Mipro placed for an environmental story. Mipro departed in July, and Kaminski arrived in August. Working with both has been a joy. Now we come to an eternally tricky piece of any awards story. That would be the writer covering his or her own awards. I placed second for journalist of the year for the second time in a row. In this case, however, I'm right behind Smith. I'm sure I'll never hear the end of it. I also finished second in editorial writing. Other Kansas Press Association awards for Kansas Reflector staff included: New Journalist Award: Third place, Anna Kaminski Investigative Story: Third place, Sherman Smith Education Story: Third place, ''Unapologetically loud': How student journalists fought a Kansas district over spyware and won,' Sherman Smith Column Writing: Third place, Clay Wirestone Column Writing: Third place, Max McCoy Best Story/Picture Combination: Third place, 'Kansas elementary school students plant exclusive sweetgum that traversed the moon,' Sherman Smith Military Story: Third Place, 'Bill protecting Kansans veterans from 'claim sharks' vaporized after flat tax failed,' Sherman Smith Each year I repeat some variant on the journalistic truism that no one does these jobs for awards. The most important recognition I receive comes from our readers, both in person and through email. But only the must curmudgeonly of codgers would refuse such distinction when offered. On behalf of Reflector staff, thanks to the KPA, and we hope to keep serving you all. Clay Wirestone is Kansas Reflector opinion editor. Through its opinion section, Kansas Reflector works to amplify the voices of people who are affected by public policies or excluded from public debate. Find information, including how to submit your own commentary, here.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Kansas gov. approves blackout license plates, year-round firework sales
TOPEKA (KSNT) – Kansas Governor Laura Kelly signed 27 bills on Wednesday, including one that will allow for the sale of fireworks year-round and another that will allow Kansans to purchase new distinctive license plate options. Lawmakers have approved of 27 new pieces of legislation on April 9 which will now become new laws in the Sunflower State, according to three press releases from the Office of the Governor. These include new laws allowing for the year-round sale of fireworks, protections for whistleblowers, the sale of blackout-style license plates and legislation to help fight the opioid epidemic in the state. Kelly placed emphasis on House Bill 2160 in one of her press releases which she says will help protect whistleblowers who report legal violations. The bill defines malfeasance and misappropriation as unlawful conduct which helps distinguish genuine whistleblowers from disgruntled employees. 'This bipartisan bill will enhance transparency and accountability in local government, ensuring that municipal employees can report wrongdoing without fear of retaliation,' Kelly said regarding House Bill 2160. 'Protecting whistleblowers is vital for maintaining public trust, safeguarding taxpayer resources, and promoting ethical governance.' Funeral plans released for slain Kansas priest Kelly also praised Substitute for Senate Bill 193 as helping law enforcement agencies provide important care to state residents who are experiencing an opioid overdose. The bill removes existing barriers that law enforcement faced in obtaining the life-saving medicine naloxone, also known as Narcan, which can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. 'Ensuring our law enforcement officers have the resources needed to combat the opioid epidemic is essential and will undoubtedly save more Kansans' lives,' Kelly said. 'We know that addiction does not discriminate. I'm proud to sign this bipartisan bill into law so that communities of all sizes can implement this commonsense policy and prevent Kansans from feeling the devastating impacts of fatal overdoses.' Kansas gov. approves nine new laws Tuesday Kelly and her fellow lawmakers approved of 27 bills in total on April 9. You can view the full list below: Senate Bill 199 – authorizes the year-round sale of fireworks and establishes procedures for retailers to opt-in to permanent, rather than seasonal, sales. The bill also establishes the Kansas Firefighters Memorial Council and designates the Fall Firefighters Memorial in Wichita as the official Fallen Firefighters Memorial of the State of Kansas. Takes effect after publication in the Kansas Register. House Bill 2160 – establishes the Municipal Employee Whistleblower Act to extend legal protections for municipal employees who report or reveal unlawful or dangerous conduct. Becomes effective after publication in the statute book. Substitute for House Bill 2149 – modernizes state law around parallel generation, which entails the installation of solar panels on an individual's home or business for the purpose of energy generation. Substitute for House Bill 2149 also creates consumer protections for Kansas businesses and residents who are interested in installing rooftop solar, provides certainty to the solar industry and utilities and will allow Kansans the opportunity for greater energy independence. Takes effect after publication in the Kansas Register. Senate Substitute for House Bill 2054 – increases the limits on certain campaign contributions under the Campaign Finance Act. House Bill 2206 – renames the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission to the Kansas Public Disclosure Commission. Also defines terms in the Campaign Finance Act, requiring the filing of statements of independent expenditures, prohibiting agreements that require contributions in the name of another and requires the termination of unused campaign finance accounts. Senate Bill 114 – authorizes nonpublic and virtual school students to participate in ancillary public school activities and makes it unlawful for the Kansa State High School Activities Association and school districts to discriminate against such students based on their enrollment status. House Bill 2050 – renames the Kansas Insurance Department to the Kansas Department of Insurance and makes the necessary updates in statute to implement this change. House Bill 2050 also implements several technical changes impacting the insurance industry. House Bill 2134 – updates the Kansas Open Records Act and Kansas Open Meetings Act to ensure transparency and public accountability for government entities. Senate Bill 241 – provides that restrictive covenants in certain contracts are enforceable and not considered a restraint of trade in certain circumstances. Substitute for Senate Bill 193 – exempts law enforcement agencies who do not provide emergency opioid antagonists pursuant to the statewide protocol from teh requirement to procure a physician medical director. House Substitute for Senate Bill 126 – establishes an advance universal newborn screening program, provides for the reimbursement of certain treatment services, extends the transfer of funds to the Kansas newborn screening fund, increases state financial assistance to local health departments under certain circumstances and increases the annual assessment rate on hospital providers. Senate Bill 21 – amends the Kansas Parimutuel Racing Act to change certain licensing requirements regarding live horse racing and to alter the distribution of cash from certain funds related to horse racing. Senate Bill 42 – provides for the establishment of a web-based online insurance verification system for the verification of evidence of motor vehicle liability insurance for law enforcement purposes. The bill also makes a number of technical changes impacting the insurance industry. Senate Bill 44 – declares that antisemitism and antisemitic acts are against the public policy of the state. Senate Bill 50 – establishes uniform interest rate provisions for service scholarship programs administered by the Kansas Board of Regents. Senate Bill 64 – adjusts certain internal KPERS Act statutory references, extending the time for filing administrative appeals and updating provisions relating to compliance with the federal internal revenue code. Senate Bill 135 – provides precedence of child-related orders issued under the protection from abuse act. Senate Bill 139 – updates certain definitions, terms and conditions relating to the state banking code and trust companies. House Bill 2201 – provides for the FFA, Route 66 Association of Kansas and blackout distinctive license plates, creates the license plate replacement fund and modifies requirements for the issuance and production of license plates and the documentation requirements for military license plate applications. House Bill 2169 – provides for an exemption from remediation costs or other liability from prior commercial pesticide application by the U.S. Army for owners of certain nonresidential property located in Johnson County. House Bill 2249 – establishes the South Central Regional Mental Health Hospital in state law. House Bill 2249 would also require the Kansas secretary for Aging and Disability Services to grant physical environment waivers for certain rural emergency hospitals to provide skilled nursing facility care. House Bill 2255 – makes changes to the Conversation Reserve Enhancement Program to give more flexibility to program participants, and provide new opportunities for water conservation efforts. House Bill 2255 also updates statutes governing the Kansas Department of Agriculture's Weights and Measures program. House Bill 2280 – makes changes to the code of federal regulations to the definition of veteran and disabled veteran to ensure that everyone who has been designated a veteran by an act of Congress is also designated as such in Kansas law. House Bill 2280 also allows spouses of military members who are not on active duty to be eligible for the waiving of fees for occupational licensure. House Bill 2313 – protects state computer systems by prohibiting the use of artificial intelligence platforms controlled by foreign adversaries on the state's networks. House Bill 2313 also prohibits medical and research facilities from using certain genetic technologies produced by foreign adversaries, ensuring the security of the biotechnology industry in Kansas. House Bill 2334 – updates Kansas law related to the regulation of the insurance industry to implement new best practices to ensure accountability and transparency, helping Kansas maintain its accreditation with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. House Bill 2342 – authorizes national criminal history background checks as well as the request for the Kansas Bureau of Investigation to conduct background checks for final applicants for certain sensitive positions with the Kansas Department of Commerce and certain employees within the Kansas Department of Labor. House Bill 2371 – amends the Kansas Revised Limited Liability Company Act, the Business Entity Transactions Act and the Business Entity Standard Treatment Act to include new best practices. Lawmakers approve change to the Kansas Constitution over voting rights For more Capitol Bureau news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
