| We’re closing in on the final weeks of the legislative session and things are definitely heating up. The big news this week was that we celebrated Detransitioner Awareness Day by passing Help Not Harm (S.B. 233) out of the House with a veto proof majority. It now heads to a conference committee for a few tweaks. Read our press release here! Likewise, the Life Affirming Tax Bill (S.B. 498) passed out of the Senate late last night with a veto proof majority as well. It originally contained a child tax credit including a provision giving families expecting a baby an extra year of coverage. However, it was taken out because of how much it would cost the state. It still contains a sales tax exemption for pregnancy centers, a tax credit for donors to pregnancy resource centers, and an expansion of the adoption tax credit. It will head to the House next! We are thankful for the legislature taking up both of these bills that protect children and promote a culture of life in Kansas! By clicking on the bill links, you can see how your legislators voted. We also testified in support of several bills this week. On Tuesday, the House Federal & State Committee held hearings on the Every Mom Matters Act (H.B. 2809) and the Abortion Coercion Act (H.B. 2813). These are important bills that will help moms get information about pregnancy as well as protect them from coercion. These bills will need to move out of committee next week in order to stay alive this session. Next week is the last week for committees to meet so we are preparing for a hearings marathon. Tuesday two different Senate committees will be hearing the Abortion Reporting Bill (H.B. 2749) and the Abortion Coercion bill (S.B. 527). And on Wednesday the House Health & Human Services Comittee and a joint meeting of the Senate Health & Public Welfare and the Ways and Means Committees will have hearings on Medicaid Expansion. Next week is shaping up to be a very consequential and busy week! Reach out to your legislators through our action center! For Kansas! |
