Gender issues have been front and center for the Kansas Statehouse this week.
On Wednesday, the Kansas House passed Senate Bill 180, otherwise known as the Women’s Bill of Rights. It defines terms like woman, mother, man and father as a way to protect women’s privacy in places like restrooms, locker rooms and domestic violence centers, according to supporters — but has been viewed by critics as a way to erode transgender rights by forcing trans residents to use facilities aligning with their biological sex. 13th District Representative Duane Droge of Eureka and 76th District Representative Eric Smith of Burlington voted for the bill, while 60th District Representative Mark Schreiber of Emporia voted against it.
The bill had already passed the Kansas Senate last month by a 26-11 vote. 17th District Senator Jeff Longbine of Emporia voted with the majority.
The Kansas Senate, meanwhile, has passed House Bill 2138, which is meant to keep transgender students from being roommates with students of their identified gender. Longbine voted with the 29-11 majority.
A lot of other bills have moved forward as the session continues:
On Wednesday, the Kansas Senate approved Senate Substitute for House Bill 2127, which ends the statute of limitations for sex abuse happening during the childhood years. The bill passed the chamber unanimously.
Separately in the Senate, the chamber passed two bills on vaccine requirements — SB 314, which tells schools they can’t mandate COVID-19 vaccines, and SB 315, which allows religious exemptions for any vaccines without question by school districts. Longbine voted against both bills.
Meanwhile, the Kansas House passed SB 169, which would immediately end the sales tax on food as demanded by Kansas Governor Laura Kelly — but would also begin a flat income tax of 5.25 percent for all residents. Schreiber, Droge and Smith voted yes.
The House also passed HB 2439, which says medical providers must tell women planning drug-induced abortions that they can change their minds. Schreiber, Droge and Smith all voted yes. HB 2412, which removes fees for concealed-carry licenses, also passed. Droge and Smith voted yes, while Schreiber voted no.
