Posted by Jami Reever, Executive Director

Legislative Update: Week Three

Legislative Update: Week Three

We had a productive week in the Statehouse, with bill introductions and hearings on some of our key issues. Next week marks an important deadline: the last week for bills to be introduced in non-exempt committees, which is where the majority of our work lies. Once we get past this deadline, we will have a better sense of where to focus our time in the Statehouse.

Here’s what we were working on this week:

Reducing Hunger in Kansas

On Wednesday, our team testified in front of the House Committee on K-12 Education Budget in support of the proposal to eliminate the reduced-price meal copay for Kansas students. We were thrilled to see so many of our partners and anti-hunger advocates submit testimony in support of this proposal. We could know as early as today if this proposal will advance out of the committee.  

Earlier this week, SB 123, providing state general funds for school meals programs and prohibiting local boards from collecting money for such meals, was introduced and referred to the Senate Committee on Education. This bill goes hand in hand with our efforts to include the reduced-price copay in the budget and so we will be advocating for this bill every chance we get. 

Protecting and Expanding Food Assistance Programs

On Tuesday, February 4, the House Committee on Welfare Reform will have a hearing on HB 2015, 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. We oppose this bill as we believe every Kansan should have the autonomy to purchase the food they want for their family. 

Support Justice-Involved Youth

With much anticipation, we were able to see movement on youth justice legislation this week. The Kansas Appleseed team drafted legislation with the Revisor’s Office, introduced several requests for bills on key topics in both the House Committee on Corrections and Juvenile Justice and the Senate Committee on the Judiciary. These bills include:

  • HB 2178, allowing persons with felony drug convictions to receive benefits under the supplemental nutrition assistance program.
  • HB 2179, prohibiting fines and fees from being assessed against a juvenile or a juvenile’s parent, guardian or custodian in a case pursuant to the revised Kansas juvenile justice code.
  • SB 110, prohibiting the use of restraints during hearings under the revised Kansas juvenile justice code unless restraints are deemed appropriate by the court.
  • SB 111, prohibiting fines and fees from being assessed against a juvenile or a juvenile’s parent, guardian or custodian in a case pursuant to the revised Kansas juvenile justice code.

Improving the State’s Foster Care System

This week, the House Committee on Child Welfare and Foster Care heard testimony on HB 2075, which encourages stability and increases access to supports for foster children and their families by changing the frequency of permanency hearings from 12 months down to 9 months. We support this bill and submitted testimony which you can read here. At the end of the hearing for HB 2075, discussion was closed with the option for it to be reopened on Monday; we are hopeful the committee will continue deliberation on this bill and that it is moved forward. 

The Child Welfare and Foster Care committee also saw the introduction of a new bill, HB 2132, which would modify the definition of neglect, prohibiting the removal of a child from their home due solely to the impacts of poverty, and requiring facts that any lack of financial resources could cause imminent harm to the child. This bill is scheduled to have a hearing next Wednesday. We will be providing testimony in support of this bill as we know families experiencing financial struggles need resources and support, not increased hardship, as they navigate the removal of their children. 

All in all, we were pleased to see movement on so many issues that will make Kansas more thriving, inclusive, and just. At the same time, we remain deeply concerned about legislation advancing that is stripping away rights from too many Kansans. While we might not be front and center on every issue, our commitment to every person living in our state remains strong.