KCC legislative newsletter - Feb 15

Kansas State Legislature Weekly Report and Analysis

February 15, 2026

by Chuck Weber, Kansas Catholic Conference

"Turnaround Day" is set for this coming Thursday, February 19. That's the deadline for the various legislative committees to work on bills and kick them out of committee for a full floor vote. That also means that this week legislators will be extra busy and both chambers will spend most of their time on the floor, debating and voting on bills. 

The House will vote on House bills to send over to the Senate, and the Senate will vote on Senate bills to send over to the House. These can be LONG days that sometimes don't end until late at night. Following Turnaround Week, there will be a short few days off before lawmakers return for the second half of the session.

This past week was jam-packed with action of particular interest to the Kansas Catholic Conference.  Here's a quick look back. 

CELL PHONE BAN IN KANSAS SCHOOLS TAKES TWISTS AND TURNS

Chances are good that you are reading this newsletter on your smartphone, cell phone or some sort of other electronic device other than a desktop computer. Virtually all of us use a cell phone (the term we'll settle on for the sake of this discussion). I think we can all agree that this communications technology is here to stay. Whether the unlimited use of cell phones by students in Kansas schools during the school day is a whole other question. 

During her State of the State address, Governor Laura Kelly called for a ban on the use of cell phones during school hours. There initially appeared to be strong bipartisan support. Now, the cell phone ban bill is at the center of intense discussion and some confusion. The position of the Kansas Catholic Conference is in the middle of this debate.

The cell phone ban bill, SB 281 was debated and voted on in the House Education Committee on Monday, February 9. During that debate, an amendment was brought forth to exclude all non-public schools, which, of course, would include Catholic schools. That particular amendment failed, but another amendment changing language in the bill from "shall" (ban cell phones) to "may" (ban cell phones) in all schools passed. This language change created confusion among some committee members and observers. Essentially, the intent of the entire bill was gutted, in part because public school districts and non-public schools can already ban cell phone use.    

The next day, House Education Committee members revisited the legislation and voted for an amended bill declaring public schools SHALL ban cell phones, and non-public schools MAY ban cell phones.

We weren't trying to add to the confusion, but the Kansas Catholic Conference policy position was in favor of a ban for all schools—public and non-public alike. You can READ KCC CELL PHONE BAN TESTIMONY HERE.  This legislation is expected to be debated on the House floor during Turnaround Week before the Senate takes it up.  

LOW INCOME KANSAS FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP ACT ADVANCES

This past Wednesday, the Kansas House debated and eventually voted YES on HB 2468, known as the Low Income Kansas Family Scholarship Act.  You can see how your Representative voted here, and you can watch the debate here: LOW INCOME FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP DEBATE beginning at 49:19. This piece of legislation, perhaps more than any other effort this session, has been a focus of our discussions with legislators at the Kansas Statehouse. 

Try as we might, we have so far been unable to convince many legislators that this bill is designed to help both public school and non-public school students. It combines elements of a new federal parental choice program with the current low income tax credit scholarship program that has been working in Kansas for 10+ years.  

Opponents say the measure uses public dollars for private education. It does not. Opponents say the current program, which was strengthened and signed into law by Governor Kelly in 2023, takes money away from public schools.  It does not. Opponents say the current program is for "rich kids." It is not! 

All Kansas parents want the best possible educational opportunities for children.  In many instances, this is in a public school setting.  In other instances, it is not. One size and one approach does not fit all circumstances.  And we say once again, the Kansas Catholic Conference supports fully funded public schools! This is not an "Us vs.Them" scenario. This is about the mission of providing parents with the best possible tools they can access that address the unique educational needs of their own child.  

We encourage you to learn more about this proposed legislation by clicking on: KANSAS LOW INCOME FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP ACT EXPLAINED.  If you haven't yet reached out to your legislator asking for his or her support, you can do so by clicking here for a pre-drafted message that will automatically be directed to your State Senator and Representative.  

PROTECTING KANSAS MOMS AND BABIES

Readers of this newsletter know that sadly, abortion is a constitutionally protected right in Kansas.  The latest data shows that an average of 54+ babies are lost each day in Kansas through abortion.  While we cannot legally protect preborn babies and their mothers from the abortion industry, there are certain measures we can and are taking. 

Pregnancy Resource Centers (PRCs) and maternity homes are on the front lines when women face a difficult pregnancy and look for an option other than abortion. PRCs are a life-affirming alternative to abortion. Unfortunately, PRCs across the country have been subjected to taxpayer-funded misinformation campaigns like this: PRC Smear Campaign. They have even faced threats of legal action for not revealing information about their donors.   

HB 2635 is the Protection for Pregnancy Resource Centers (CARE Act), designed to protect PRCs from discrimination by any state or local government entity or agency based on their refusal to perform or refer for abortions. A hearing on this bill was heard last week and Lucrecia Nold of the Kansas Catholic Conference testified in favor.  You can watch the hearing here. There was also compelling testimony from several PRC directors. 

The House Federal and State Affairs Committee favorably passed the bill and the next stop is debate on the floor of the Kansas House, probably sometime this coming week. 

SECURING LEGAL PROTECTIONS AND RIGHTS FOR MOTHERS 

The abortion industry is infamous for using deceptive and false arguments in the courtroom and at abortuaries that have the effect of confusing women who need and deserve as much information as possible before seeking an abortion.  You may be aware that the Kansas Women's Right to Know Act, first passed in 1997, is under legal attack by the abortion industry. One problem--according to the abortion advocates--is that the current informed consent form is not standardized, misses information and causes confusion.  

HB 2729 would require that the Kansas Department of Health and Environment create and provide these forms to physicians performing abortions. The idea is to take away the (false) argument from the abortion industry when informing women about the abortion they may be considering. The bill was worked in committee Friday and passed out favorably.  We anticipate a debate and vote on the House floor this coming week.

A related bill is HB 2727, which is designed to help streamline the statutory (predetermined by law) damages a woman may acquire due to the lack of information provided to her leading up to or at the time of her abortion.

The battle for life takes many forms. We are grateful to the legal professionals who help defend the sanctity of life in the courtroom and are assisting with pro-life legislation.  

You can watch the hearing for both of these bills that took place last week here. 

PROTECTING THE INTEGRITY OF THE FAMILY

Both chambers of the Kansas Legislature passed SB 244, which requires the designation of multiple-occupancy private spaces in public buildings for use by only one sex—a male or a female. It also defines the term "gender" to mean biological sex at birth, including for a Kansas driver's license and birth certificate. The Kansas Catholic Conference supported this bill. SB 244 prompted intense opposition from the Kansas "trans" lobby. This common sense legislation was passed by overwhelming margins, and is now headed to a veto override vote after Governor Kelly's veto late last Friday.  You may read her veto message here.

A VOICE OF REASON REGARDING GENDER DYSPHORIA

Many years ago, Dr. Paul McHugh was an early advocate for "sex change" procedures—until he discovered the error of his ways and followed the science.  We offer here an intriguing article about Dr. McHugh, a devoted Catholic, who has been vindicated in his views on gender dysphoria.  Two Drinks with. . . Dr. I Told You So

SMART PHONE APP PROTECTION LEGISLATION ADVANCES

SB 372 is the App Store Accountability bill which was worked in the Senate Judiciary Committee and passed on to the full Senate for debate and vote.  This legislation will give parents greater power over what their children can and cannot download onto their smartphone without permission.  The Kansas Catholic Conference supports this legislation. 

IF LIFE IS SO SHORT, WHY IS LENT SO LONG? 

Really, it just seems that way.  It's always 40 (or so) days before the Easter Triduum. If you are seeking a Lenten practice, how about praying for all legislators, most especially those with whom you disagree?  

Thank you for taking time to read our newsletter.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Until next time, we persevere!

Chuck Weber

Kansas Catholic Conference