The 2026 Kansas Legislative session kicks off today! As legislators return to Topeka, they are entering the second year of the two-year legislative biennium, which means both new and unfinished bills from last year will fill the session. With an already shortened calendar, this carryover means the Legislature will be off to a quick start. This fast-pace will not deter or distract us; our team is well-prepared to advocate for bills that improve the quality of life for all Kansans.
Here’s what we are focusing on over the next few months:
Fighting Against Mid-Decade Redistricting
Since last fall, we have worked in coalition with advocacy organizations across the state to fight back against mid-decade redistricting efforts. Thanks to the advocacy of so many Kansans, the Legislature was unable to call a special session in the fall to vote on new maps. And just last week, Speaker of the House Dan Hawkins disclosed that he is still 20 votes short of having a veto-proof majority to pass new maps. This is proof that our collective efforts have worked! We will continue to follow this closely and will be ready to activate if a bill is introduced in the coming months.
Supporting Justice-Involved Youth
We believe that kids should emerge from our justice system better than when they entered, which means investing in evidence-based interventions that promote stability and success. We continue our work to eliminate fines and fees for justice-involved youth, expand access to juvenile expungements, and establish a presumption against the shackling of youth in court.
Our top priority is opposing HB 2329, which would increase the cumulative detention limit for youth, expand criminal penalties, require the reintroduction of youth residential facilities (group homes) that would use funds from the evidence-based programs account to contract for these beds, and roll back proven justice reforms by diverting funds from evidence-based programs. This bill passed the House during the 2025 session and is now before the Senate Committee on the Judiciary.
Advocating for Justice-Involved Adults and Their Children
We will continue working to pass HB 2326, which would establish alternative sentencing for primary caregivers so judges can consider a person’s role in caring for a child. Without these options, children are unnecessarily separated from their families and pushed into foster care, harming their health and development. Alternatives to detention are more cost-effective, reduce strain on our systems, and—most importantly—keep Kansas families together.
Improving the State’s Foster Care System
As we continue overseeing the McIntyre v. Howard settlement to improve placement stability and access to mental health screenings, we are working to reduce reliance on secure care and expand more nurturing placement options for youth who run away. In addition, we are working to pass HB 2132 to disconnect poverty from neglect to ensure families are not separated simply because they are struggling financially. We will also be asking the Legislature to codify Executive Order 25-01, which establishes SSI and survivor benefits in state-managed savings accounts for benefits-eligible youth. Prior to this order, the state pocketed those funds. Finally, we will work with the Legislature to strengthen the Representative Gail Finney Memorial Foster Care Bill of Rights so young people clearly understand—and can exercise—their rights while in care.
Protecting and Expanding Food Assistance Programs
Kansas feeds the world, yet too many Kansans still struggle to afford food. We will continue working to protect and strengthen SNAP, especially as federal from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act will reduce access to food assistance. We will work at both the administrative and legislative levels to ensure decision-makers are aware of the harms these changes will cause and that we must work together to lessen their impact on hungry Kansans.
Federal actions have created instability that Kansas families and older adults cannot control. We are urging the Legislature to respond by investing in resilient, efficient systems designed to maintain access to food assistance.
Ending Childhood Hunger
We will be advocating for deeper investments in child nutrition programs that reflect our shared responsibility to support Kansas kids and families, ensuring every child has access to healthy food in and out of school. These efforts prioritize dignity, stability, and strong partnerships between schools and communities, including continued support for SUN Bucks and expanding the reach of the Community Eligibility Provision across the state.
Your voice matters to legislators and hearing from their constituents makes a difference. Last year, we tracked nearly 3,000 phone calls, texts, and emails resulting from our calls to action! Let’s do that again this year. We’ll use our weekly emails to let you know when we need your help – and be sure to follow us on social media for late-breaking news that needs your advocacy.
