Believe it or not, we are entering the last weeks of the regular session, with the first adjournment scheduled for March 28. The fast pace we’ve written about all session will get more intense as legislators race against the clock to get bills voted out of committee on Monday and Tuesday and onto the floor of their respective chambers for debate for the rest of the week. The following week will consist mainly of conference committee work.
Here’s what we’ve been watching this week:
Protecting the Courts
As anticipated, the House Committee on the Judiciary held a hearing yesterday on SCR 1611, proposing a constitutional amendment to provide for direct election of supreme court justices and abolish the supreme court nominating commission. Yesterday’s hearing was well ran with the chair making every effort to give each side equal time with plenty of time for questions. Over 200 advocates joined us in submitting testimony opposing this resolution. We’re closely watching this bill and, if it advances out of committee, we’ll send an alert asking you to contact your representative urging them to vote no.
Supporting Justice-Involved Youth
The punitive youth justice bill, HB 2329, which now includes consolidated language from HB 2325, was voted out favorably by the House and now heads to the Senate. Given the impending session deadlines, we do not anticipate this bill advancing, but we are prepared to continue speaking against it if it does. The bill would increase the cumulative detention limit for youth, and the criminal penalties for youth who have possession of or use a firearm during an offense, or who are repeat offenders, require reintroduction of youth residential facilities (group homes), and utilize funds from the evidence-based programs account to contract for these beds.
Despite appreciated bi-partisan efforts to improve the bill by lowering the increased sentencing parameters, and slightly reducing and reestablishing a cap on non-foster beds that will need to be contracted, we continue to oppose this bill. The solutions presented do not align with research and what leads to the best outcomes for youth. Rather, legislation should focus on increasing access to effective alternatives such as substance abuse treatment, mental health programs, and other interventions that help treat the underlying causes of a youth’s behavior.
Improving the State’s Foster Care System
HB 2132, modifying the definition of neglect to prohibit the removal of a child due solely to an issue of poverty and requiring more than one demonstrated fact of imminent harm due to a lack of financial resources for removal, could be debated on the House floor next week. We support this bill.
HB 2075, requiring that a permanency hearing for a child in custody of the secretary be held within nine months from such child’s removal from the home and every six months thereafter, was voted out of committee earlier this week and is scheduled to be heard on the Senate floor on Monday. We support this bill. As a reminder, this bill passed unanimously out of the House last month.
HB 2311, prohibiting the secretary from adopting and enforcing policies for placement, custody and appointment of a custodian that may conflict with sincerely held religious or moral beliefs regarding sexual orientation or gender identity and creating a right of action for violations, had a hearing in the Senate Committee on Public Health and Welfare and will have final action (debated and voted on) in the committee on Monday, March 17. We oppose this bill.
Protecting and Expanding Food Assistance Programs
HB 2217, expanding the scope of the inspector general to audit and investigate all state cash, food or health assistance programs and granting the inspector general the power to subpoena, administer oaths and execute search warrants thereto, was passed out of the House this week. It now has a hearing in Senate Public Health on Tuesday, March 18. This bill is a continuation of the myths around “fraud” and public assistance programs. We oppose this bill.
SB 85, directing the Department for Children and Families to review and compare data for public assistance program eligibility was discussed in the House Committee on Welfare Reform this week. The Committee amended the bill to remove the requirement that the Secretary review and compare records from the Social Security Administration. Discussion and possible final action will occur in Welfare Reform Tuesday, March 18. While oversight is important, this bill creates unnecessary scrutiny over programs and their participants that already have substantial oversight. We oppose this bill.
SB 79, directing the secretary for children and families to request a waiver from supplemental nutrition assistance program rules that would allow the state to prohibit the purchase of candy and soft drinks with food assistance was heard and advanced out of the House Committee on Welfare Reform this week. This bill will negatively affect everyday, hardworking Kansans as they go to the grocery stores and make difficult decisions about what they can and cannot afford for their families. We oppose this bill.
As you can see, we are primarily working in a defensive posture these days. While we always prefer to be working to advance really good bills, it is sometimes even more important in fighting against bills that will bring harm to our fellow Kansans. Thank you for fighting with us!
