Kansas gov. vetoes multiple bills

TOPEKA (KSNT) – Kansas’ governor is vetoing several bills and giving her reasoning why this Friday.

Governor Laura Kelly is vetoing six bills April 12, sending them back to the Legislature for further debate, according to an announcement from the Office of the Governor. One bill is being allowed to become state law without her signature.

Substitute Bill for Senate Bill 233

This bill would enact the forbidding abuse child transitions act, according to the description on the bill. This would bring about the following measures:

Prohibit healthcare providers from treating children whose gender identity is inconsistent with the child’s sex

Authorizes a civil cause of action against healthcare providers for providing such treatments

Requires professional discipline against a healthcare provider who performs such treatment

Prohibits professional liability insurance from covering damages for healthcare providers that provide gender transition treatment to children

Adds violation of the act to the definition of unprofessional conduct for physicians and nurses.

“This divisive legislation targets a small group of Kansans by placing government mandates on them and dictating to parents how to best raise and care for their children. I do not believe that is a conservative value, and it’s certainly not a Kansas value.

The last place that I would want to be as a politician is between a parent and a child who needed medical care of any kind. And, yet, that is exactly what this legislation does.

If the legislature paid this much attention to the other 99.8% of students, we’d have the best schools on earth.”

“As we watch other states, nations, and organizations reverse course on these experimental procedures on children, Laura Kelly will most surely find herself on the wrong side of history with her reckless veto of this common-sense protection for Kansas minors. House Republicans stand ready to override her veto to protect vulnerable Kansas kids.”

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House Bill 2749

If enacted, this bill would require medical care facilities and providers to report the reasons for each abortion performed at facilities in Kansas or by providers to the secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, according to the bill’s description.

“Kansans spoke loud and clear in August 2022. Voters do not want politicians getting between doctors and their patient by interfering in private medical decisions.

House Bill 2749 is invasive and unnecessary. There is no valid medical reason to force a woman to disclose to the legislature if they have been a victim of abuse, rape, or incest prior to obtaining an abortion. There is also no valid reason to force a woman to disclose to the legislature why she is seeking an abortion.

I refuse to sign legislation that goes against the will of the majority of Kansans who spoke loudly on August 2, 2022: Kansans don’t want politicians involved in their private medical decisions.”

Substitute Bill for House Bill 2436

This bill would create the crime of coercion to obtain an abortion and provide enhanced criminal penalties for offenses committed with the intent to coerce a woman to obtain an abortion, according to language in the bill.

“While I agree that no one should be coerced into undergoing a medical procedure against their will, it is already a crime to threaten violence against another individual.

Additionally, I am concerned with the vague language in this bill and its potential to intrude upon private, often difficult, conversations between a person and their family, friends, and health care providers. This overly broad language risks criminalizing Kansans who are being confided in by their loved ones or simply sharing their expertise as a health care provider.”

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Senate Bill 434

If passed, the bill would create exemptions in the open records act for records that have captured license plate information or that pertain to the location of an automated license plate recognition system, according to the description on the bill.

“I have serious concerns that deregulating sugaring — a hair removal technique that may be performed on minors — could lead to safety and sanitation problems. We have a responsibility to protect Kansans – and this deregulation would threaten the health and safety of Kansans – particularly our children.

Under the purview of the Kansas Board of Cosmetology, sugaring practitioners are required to adhere to the same health and safety standards as other cosmetologists and estheticians. They are subject to criminal background checks and training prior to the successful completion of exams to earn state licensure. Deregulating sugaring risks contamination, improper infection control, and potential safety issues involving minors. I am not willing to undermine the Kansas Board of Cosmetology’s expertise or threaten the long-term health and safety of Kansans who receive sugaring services.”

House Bill 2446

If the governor signed off on this legislation, it would prohibit cities and counties from regulating plastic and other containers designed for the consumption, transportation or protection of merchandise, food or beverages, according to the bill’s description.

“I believe in local control and that local officials should be held accountable by their constituents, stakeholders, and businesses. This bill lacks sufficient protection to ensure local units of government are able to play a meaningful role in decision making on issues impacting their communities.

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House Bill 2648

This bill would require the director of the budget to independently determine costs of compliance and implementation for all proposed rules and regulations and authorize the director of the budget to disapprove proposed rules and regulations, according to the Legislature.

“House Bill 2648 would insert bureaucratic red tape intended to legislatively interfere with the timely implementation of necessary and important rules and regulations. Many of these regulations are for the protection and safety of Kansans.

“Kansans voted no to giving the legislature veto power over rules and regulations in the November 2022 election. This is yet again another attempt by the legislature to undermine the will of the voters.”

Senate Bill 394

This bill requires the use of age-verification technology to permit access to internet website containing material harmful to minors, according to the bill’s description.

“While well-meaning in its efforts to protect children from content the legislature considers ‘harmful to minors,’ this bill is vague in its application and may end up infringing on constitutional rights, which is an issue being litigated in other jurisdictions over similar bills. For that reason, I will allow this bill to become law without my signature.”

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