Category Archives: Kansas

Government, Kansas, Submitted

Kansas Expands Mental Health Services for Children

Leave a comment

CHIP recipients gain greater access to mental health and substance use services

TOPEKA – Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) Secretary Jeff Andersen is pleased to announce the State of Kansas has received federal approval to strengthen access to mental health and substance use services for participants of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approved KDHE’s CHIP Parity State Plan Amendment, which requires that mental health and substance use disorder treatments be considered equally with medical and surgical benefits. Kansas is the third state in the country to receive approval for this amendment.

 

“This Parity Amendment ensures that mental health and substance use disorders are treated no differently than other medical disorders by Medicaid and larger insurance plans,” said KDHE Chief Medical Officer Dr. Greg Lakin. “It provides protection to patients with these types of diagnoses, where, historically, they were often treated differently.”

 

The amendment is part of the mental health regulations put into effect by CMS on Oct. 1, 2017. CHIP provides health care coverage for low-income children living in families with incomes that exceed Medicaid limits. Within CHIP, states are awarded yearly allotments. Kansas provides low-cost health insurance coverage to children who are under the age of 19, do not qualify for Medicaid, have family incomes under 232 percent of the federal poverty level, and are not eligible for State employee health insurance and are not covered by private health insurance.

 

“KDHE worked quickly with CMS to get this amendment approved for CHIP recipients,” said KDHE Medicaid Director Jon Hamdorf. “This is just one of our efforts to expand access to vital services for low-income Kansans.”

 

Government, Kansas, Submitted

Governor Signs Transparency Bills

Leave a comment

Gov. Jeff Colyer Signs Number of Transparency Bills into Law

Includes DCF Transparency Bill and Police Body Cam Legislation

TOPEKA – Governor Jeff Colyer today signed three transparency bills and issued an executive order aimed at increasing government transparency and accountability. By signing House Substitute for SB 336, Senate Substitute for Senate Substitute for HB 2386, HB 2642 and issuing Executive Order 18-13, Colyer seeks to build on a number of transparency bills and executive orders put into law since he took over as governor in January.

“Transparency has been and will continue to be a priority for my administration,” said Gov. Colyer. “These bills, coupled with Executive Order 18-13 are important to me and to Kansans across the state. I appreciate the legislature for passing these critical measures and I look forward to continued work to increase government transparency and accountability for the people we serve.”

The first measure Gov. Colyer signed, House Substitute for Senate Bill 336 amends the statute governing access to information pertaining to children in need of care and child fatalities. With the signing of this law, the Secretary of the Department for Children and Families may now release the age and sex of the child, date of the fatality, and a summary of any previous reports of abuse or neglect involving the child in addition to any DCF recommended services provided to the child.

“This legislation is the cornerstone of the many things we have done to be more open and transparent to the public,” said Gina Meier-Hummel, DCF Secretary. “This measure strikes the correct balance between being sensitive to the need for privacy for families and ensuring that we are being transparent and getting the appropriate information out to the public.”

The second component of House Substitute for Senate Bill 336 changes the disclosure of audio or video recordings made and retained by law enforcement using a body camera or a vehicle camera. Under the previous law, only certain individuals were able to gain access to these recordings.

SB 336 expands the list of people who can request access to the footage to include a spouse, adult child, or parent of the deceased. This bill also adds a provision requiring the agency to allow the access to recordings within 20 days after the request is made.

Kansas Attorney Michael Kuckelman, whose clients struggled under the old law to obtain footage after losing a family member, spoke positively about the bill.

“The important thing about this audio and video is that it helps both families and law enforcement,” said Kuckelman, “There are times where law enforcement is falsely accused and this will demonstrate to the public if there’s a false accusation. If on the other hand, there is wrong doing, this provides an opportunity for a family to bring that to light and make certain that the public knows what is going on in their community.”

Governor Colyer also signed the Senate Substitute for Senate Substitute HB 2386, which requires agencies processing applications for employment that include a license, certification, or registration to list not just the qualifications, but also the specific civil and criminal records that would disqualify an applicant from receiving that license, certification, or registration. Additionally, if an individual has a misdemeanor record that would disqualify them, but has not been convicted of another crime five years preceding the application for licensure, the record cannot be used to disqualify the candidate at the end of the five-year period following the satisfied sentence.

This bill is coupled with executive order 18-13, which takes the bill a step further, by requiring agencies to post offenses that would disqualify a potential applicant prominently on the agency website.

“Executive order 18-13 allows individuals to know what the rules are without having to go searching for it in the fine print,” said Gov. Jeff Colyer.

The governor also signed HB 2642, which clarifies and strengthens campaign and election laws, while also updating the penalties for several violations.

“Some candidates were avoiding campaign finance reports eight days before the election because the penalty was low,” said Rep. Keith Esau. “This bill is an important step towards fixing our campaign finance laws.”

Government, Kansas, Submitted

Governor Signs School Finance Bill Fix

Leave a comment

Governor Jeff Colyer Signs School Finance Bill Fix 

OLATHE- Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D. today signed House Substitute for Senate Bill 61 during a ceremony at the central office of the Olathe School District. This bill was intended to fix an error made in the school finance bill that the Governor signed last month in Topeka.

“I’m very happy that the House and Senate were able to come together and fix the mistake in the previous legislation,” said the Governor. “This bill gets more money in the classroom and adds accountability measures without raising taxes on hardworking Kansas families and I’m happy to sign it.”

 

Government, Kansas, Submitted

DCF Announces New Communications Director

Leave a comment

Taylor Forrest assumes a leadership role in DCF communications

TOPEKA – Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) Secretary Gina Meier-Hummel is pleased to announce that Public Information Officer Taylor Forrest has been promoted to Communications Director, effective Monday, May 7. Forrest replaces Theresa Freed, who was named Deputy Secretary of Public Affairs for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE).

“I would like to thank Theresa for the hard work, leadership, and dedication that she has demonstrated at DCF the last five years. I wish her the very best of luck at our sister agency,” said Secretary Meier-Hummel. “I have full faith that Taylor will pick up where Theresa left off and engage the public purposefully to share the important work of our agency.”

Forrest has served as the public information officer for DCF since June 2017. She has a bachelor’s degree in convergent journalism from Southwestern College. Previously, she interned for Senator Jerry Moran and former Congressman, now Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo.

Government, Kansas, Submitted

Freed Shifts To KDHE

Leave a comment

KDHE Welcomes Deputy Secretary of Public Affairs

Theresa Freed makes move from DCF to KDHE in a leadership role, continuing State service

Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) Secretary Jeff Andersen is pleased to announce that Theresa Freed will join KDHE today, Monday, May 7, to serve in a newly-created position of Deputy Secretary of Public Affairs. Theresa served as the Communications Director for the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) for five years, and prior to that, served as Public Information Officer for the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services.

“I’m excited to have Theresa heading our Communications and Legislative divisions,” said Secretary Andersen. “She has done tremendous work at DCF, engaging the public and embracing new technology to share the good work of the agency. We look forward to her doing the same and more at KDHE.”

As DCF Communications Director, Freed was instrumental in leading many DCF public relations projects, including the launch and implementation of Foster Kansas Kids, digital signage, and the children’s room redesign. She successfully initiated DCF’s presence on social media and played a key role in the redesign of both the DCF public website and intranet. She worked closely with the agency’s Legislative and Policy division to create and review legislative testimony and supplemental information for lawmakers. Prior to State service, Freed worked for 13 years as a print and television reporter and anchor, honored with numerous journalism awards. She obtained bachelor’s degrees in broadcast journalism and political science from the University of Kansas and a master’s degree in mass communications from California State University.

“I have greatly appreciated my time at DCF,” said Freed. “After many years of working at an agency that assists families at some of the most difficult points in their lives, I am now looking forward to helping Kansans in this new capacity. KDHE does amazing work through a wide range of programs and services, and I am excited to share those stories.”

Relevant experience from State service that Freed brings to KDHE includes serving on the initial KanCare Communications Workgroup, supporting the work of the KanCare Ombudsman, leading communications planning on the KEES project related to DCF services, and working closely with the DCF child care program to launch and promote a quality recognition system. She has previously worked in collaboration with KDHE on joint messaging related to child care facility safety and hot car awareness related to children.

Freed will lead the team of communications professionals at KDHE, including Director of Communications Gerald Kratochvil and Public Information Officers Kara Titus and J.C. Reeves. She will also oversee the legislative division, which includes Legislative Liaison Liz Dunn.

Freed and her husband, Larry, reside in their hometown of Topeka, with their two sons.

Government, Kansas, Submitted

Governor Responds to Decision on Lifetime Caps

Leave a comment

Governor Colyer Responds to CMS Decision on Lifetime Caps

TOPEKA- On Monday, Governor Colyer and the State Medicaid Director received a letter from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid (“CMS”) announcing they would not approve lifetime caps.

Gov. Colyer issued the following statement:

“As we indicated during the last Bob Bethell KanCare Oversight Committee meeting on April 23, Kansas is no longer pursuing a lifetime limit provision in its 1115 waiver.

“The decision to remove lifetime caps was made after a series of discussions with CMS in which they indicated they would be unable to approve the measure.

“While we will not be moving forward with lifetime caps, we are pleased that the Administration has been supportive of our efforts to include a work requirement in the 1115 waiver. This important provision will help improve outcomes and ensure that Kansans are empowered to achieve self-sufficiency.”

 

Government, Kansas

Governor Ensures Job Seekers Not Asked About Criminal Record

Leave a comment

Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D. Issues Executive Order to “Ban the Box” on Executive Branch Employment Applications

 TOPEKA, KS – Governor Jeff Colyer today issued Executive Order 18-12 regarding state employment practices. The order instructs all Executive Branch departments, agencies, boards, and commissions under the jurisdiction of the Office of the Governor to ensure that job applicants are not asked about their criminal record during the initial stage of a state employment application.

“Studies have shown that gainful employment is a major factor in reducing recidivism rate among former offenders,” said Gov. Colyer. “This is simply about treating people as individuals and allowing them to explain their circumstances at a later point in the process”.

The executive order notes that individuals with criminal records often experience obstacles when trying to rejoin society, such as the practice of automatically disqualifying those with criminal records from consideration. The ‘Ban the Box’ initiative, which has been adopted in numerous other states, allows applicants to explain their unique facts and circumstances to potential employers while still allowing employers to inquire about a criminal background in later stages of the process.

The order does not prevent employers from conducting criminal background checks or from excluding such applicants if a law or regulation prohibits those with criminal records from holding that specific position.

Studies show that recidivism rates fall substantially when ex-offenders achieve gainful employment. Many other states have adopted policies revising their state employment practices to lower the barriers to individuals with criminal histories seeking to enter the state workforce, including more than 30 that have adopted some form of “Ban the Box” policy. The national “Ban the Box” initiative has brought renewed attention to the value of discussing applicants’ criminal history later in the hiring process and providing applicants with an opportunity to explain their unique facts and circumstances to potential employers.

Kansas, Submitted

Sen. Hilderbrand’s Weekly Newsletter April 27

Leave a comment

State senator Richard Hilderbrand 13th district

communications from the state capitol

April 27, 2018, ∙ Week Twelve

Quote of the Week:


“On every occasion [of Constitutional interpretation] let us carry ourselves back to the time when the Constitution was adopted, recollect the spirit manifested in the debates, and instead of trying [to force] what meaning may be squeezed out of the text, or invented against it, [instead let us] conform to the probable one in which it was passed.” – Thomas Jefferson, letter to William Johnson, 12 June 1823

HARD FACTS:

Student Success Skills Center helps students develop skills that are vital for success in high school, college, and in life. This online resource from the State Library of Kansas has interactive tutorials on multi-tasking, time management, and information literacy. Skills featured for new high school students cover study and classroom skills, finding good sources, and how to cite work and avoid plagiarism. College students receive tutorials on organizational strategies, using campus resources, and personal skills like money management, healthy habits, and understanding insurance, credit, and taxes. Go to https://kslib.info/LEL and click on the tile for Student Success Skills.

If the page above asks for a Kansas Library eCard number, you may get one at any library in Kansas.  Most people will be automatically recognized as being in Kansas and will not need this step. Easy registration and self-supplied password are necessary in order to save your work and revisit any practice tests or tutorials.  Questions: [email protected] or 785-296-3296.

WEEKLY OVERVIEW:

The legislature reconvened on Thursday, April 26th for the start of Veto Session. This week the Senate voted on eight Conference Committee Reports and two bills. The Senate will continue to work until Sine Die on Friday, May 4th.

FLOOR ACTION:

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROJECTS (HB 2438): House Bill 2438 would prohibit state agencies from contracting with a vendor on an information technology project if that vendor prepared or assisted with:

  • The preparation of the program statement;
  • The project planning documents;
  • Any other project plans prepared prior to approval of the project by the Chief Information Technology Officer of the relevant branch of government.

Information technology projects with estimated cumulative costs less than $50 million would be exempted from the provisions of the bill. This bill passed the Senate 38-0.

KANSAS RACETRACKS AND CASINOS (SB 427): Senate Bill 427 would amend the Kansas Expanded Lottery Act and the Kansas Pari-mutuel Racing Act concerning racetrack gaming facilities and lottery gaming facilities. SB 427 would require racetracks with slot machines to pay back about 22 percent of their earnings to the state, the same as state-owned casinos. Currently, racetracks are required to pay 40 percent of earnings back to the state. SB 427 would also allow for greyhound and horse racing in Kansas. This bill failed on a vote of 17-20. (I voted against this bill. I had many concerns with this bill. The treatment of the greyhound dogs. This bill had a clause that would allow the owner of the race tracks the ability not to open any facilities if they were not able to open the Wichita track. There is also some concern that the Wichita track will be the only track that opens.)

CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORTS:

(SB 56): Senate Bill 56 would create the Kansas Cybersecurity Act and would amend the membership and the frequency of required meetings for the Information Technology Executive Council (ITEC). The Conference Committee Report was adopted by a vote of 37-2. (I voted against this bill. I had some concerns about the cybersecurity reports being open to KORA.)

(SB 217): Senate Bill 217 would update several statutory references in accordance with enacted 2016 SB 449 and Executive Reorganization Order No. 41. The bill would replace the term “mentally retarded and other handicapped persons” in statutes with “individuals with intellectual or other disabilities” in accordance with current law. The Conference Committee Report was adopted by a vote of 39-0.

(SB 272): Senate Bill 272 would amend the Uniform Act Regulating Traffic on Highways regarding the passing of waste collection vehicles, length and weight limits for certain vehicles, the fine for improper passing of a school bus, and operation of golf carts on city streets. The Conference Committee Report was adopted by a vote of 35-4. (I voted for this bill)

(SB 282): Senate Bill 282 would amend the Uniform Controlled Substances Act and certain statutes pertaining to crimes involving controlled substances. The bill would amend the definition of “marijuana” to exempt cannabidiol. The Conference Committee Report was adopted by a vote of 39-0.

(SB 307): Senate Bill 307 would make amendments to the Kansas Amusement Ride Act. The Conference Committee Report was adopted by a vote of 37-1. (I voted for this bill)

(SB 331): Senate Bill 331 would add to the list of designated state parks the Flint Hills Trail State Park located in Miami, Franklin, Osage, Lyon, Morris, and Dickinson counties, and Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park located in Logan County. SB 331 would also establish the Flint Hills Advisory Council, which would study and assess the development, staffing, maintenance, and promotion of the Flint Hills Nature Trail. The Conference Committee Report was adopted by a vote of 27-12. (I voted against this bill. I think that the state shouldn’t be taking control of private property and the land should be reverted to the landowners. There are over 117 miles of land that will be affected by this. There are also concerns that the state has accepted the liability of some ongoing issues regarding land usage.)

(SB 335): Senate Bill 335 would amend the State Banking Code related to savings and loan associations, savings banks, and the Kansas Money Transmitter Act. The Conference Committee Report was adopted by a vote of 39-0.

(SB 348): Senate Bill 348 would authorize electronic delivery as the standard method of delivery for certain health insurance related documents and require the State Employees Health Care Commission to provide coverage for amino acid-based elemental formula, as specified. The Conference Committee Report was adopted by a vote of 35-4. (I voted against this bill. It has language in it that will mandate and expand the state’s role in medical insurance.)

Below are links to make it easy for constituents to follow the Kansas Legislature:

Website – www.kslegislature.org. It is great for looking up bills, calendars, journals, as well as, the roster in each Chamber.

YouTube of Legislature – http://bit.ly/2CZj9O0 Did you know the legislature is now streaming its proceedings? The YouTube page has an archive of the sessions thus far – including the State of the State and the State of the Judiciary.

Committee Streaming – http://sg001-harmony.sliq.net/00287/Harmony/en/View/Calendar/ The Kansas Legislature is also streaming committees, with every committee room equipped with audio streaming technology.

Thank You for Engaging

Thank you for all your calls, emails, and letters regarding your thoughts and concerns about happenings in Kansas. Constituent correspondence helps inform my decision-making process and is taken into great consideration when I cast my vote in the Kansas Senate. I hope you’ll continue to engage with me on the issues that matter most to you, your family, and our community. If you are on Twitter or Facebook, I encourage you to follow along with the #ksleg hashtag for real-time updates on legislative happenings in Topeka.

Please know that I am fully committed to addressing the current issues in our state, and I am proud to be your voice in the Kansas Senate.

Kansas, Submitted

Foster Care Month Highlights Need for More Foster Families

Leave a comment

DCF announces event and outlines efforts to increase placement options for Kansas kids

TOPEKA –  Currently, there are more than 7,500 children in foster care. Sadly, these children have been placed outside of their home by the court for safety reasons. As the number of children in foster care continues to rise, following the national trend, the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) is actively recruiting foster families in all parts of the state, to ensure children can remain in their home communities while the agency and its contractors work with birth families to address safety issues and promote reunification.

“It has become abundantly clear that we need more foster families, especially those who are willing to accept older youth, sibling groups and children with special needs,” said DCF Secretary Meier-Hummel. “We are actively working to strengthen the continuum of care.”

At this time, there are more than 2,600 foster homes in Kansas. Ensuring appropriate accommodations for children in care has been and remains a top priority for Secretary Meier-Hummel. However, some solutions to address the shortage of homes and facilities require additional funding. Governor Jeff Colyer, in January, proposed a DCF budget enhancement of $16.5 million to address this and other urgent issues to help Kansas families in crisis.

“I remain hopeful that the Kansas Legislature will respond to these needs by fully funding this request,” said Governor Colyer. “As a State, we have a duty to care for children deemed unsafe in their own homes. Without adequate resources, we jeopardize our ability to address the problems facing the child welfare system.”

With the current resources, Secretary Meier-Hummel continues to seek solutions to the placement-option shortage. In recent months, she has worked diligently with DCF staff and others to address the immediate issue of placing youth, to prevent overnight stays in contractor offices. She is also directing staff to quickly eliminate identified barriers in the placement process. Kinship care approvals are being expedited. Reviews and investigations of foster homes are being moved through. And provider agreements are being fast tracked to increase bed availability. These steps are being taken, all while ensuring child safety is not compromised.

While it’s important to focus on the immediate need for placement options, it’s also important to relay our appreciation for the foster and kinship families who are taking on the tremendous responsibility of caring for youth removed from their homes. Governor Colyer has signed a proclamation designating May as Foster Care Month.

At 5:30 p.m., on May 12, DCF will host a foster family appreciation night at the Topeka Zoo and Conservation Center. The event will kick off with a news conference, to include Lieutenant Governor Tracey Mann, Secretary Meier-Hummel, foster families and others. Foster care information will be available at more than a dozen booths, and family-friendly activities will be available throughout the zoo grounds. A cook-out dinner will be provided to attendees. (Please do not promote in advance, as this event will be open to the media and invited guests only.)

Additionally, throughout the month of May, foster care contractors, KVC Kansas and Saint Francis Community Services, will host other appreciation events for families.

For more information about foster care in Kansas, visit www.FosterKSKids.org or call 1-844-380-2009.

Government, Kansas, Submitted

DCF Receives Public Suggestions

Leave a comment

Nearly 400 comments made in child welfare contracts Request for Information

TOPEKA – Kansas Department for Children and Family (DCF) Secretary Gina Meier-Hummel is now in the process of reviewing 393 suggestions and comments made during a week-long Request for Information (RFI).

On Friday, April 20, the agency announced that it would gather public input on existing foster care contracts, as it prepares to release the bid for new foster care grants (grants will replace contracts, going forward).

During the RFI, which included a public meeting and online submission,  Secretary Hummel received a wide range of opinions from interested parties, such as stakeholders, community and contracted partners, families, foster parents, staff and the general public.

Some of the most common concerns addressed in the feedback have been the high turnover rate of caseworkers, lack of proper oversight of contractors, lack of proper funding for staff, high caseloads, need for more quality training and a lack of collaboration between agencies and organizations.

“We want to thank everyone who took the time to share their thoughts; clearly the public cares about this issue and wants the best for Kansas families,” said Secretary Meier-Hummel. “As we begin the process of evaluating the comments and concerns collected, our goal is to take each one into consideration.”

In an ongoing effort to promote transparency and accountability, the Secretary and her staff are responding to each comment made. The comments and responses will be available at a later date on the DCF website.

“We have made it a priority to listen to all parties involved so that we can make informed decisions regarding the well-being of children and families in our state,” said Governor Jeff Colyer. “This was just one step in the process of ensuring that we protect the best interest of those we serve.”

Kansas, Submitted

Kansas Water Rate Approved

Leave a comment

Kansas Water Authority Approves Water Marketing Rate at April Meeting in Lenexa

Recently the Kansas Water Authority (KWA) met in the city of Lenexa for their April meeting. Over the two days, the KWA participated in a tour and business meeting. The members toured Water One’s Wolcott Water Treatment Plant facility as well as the water intake of the Missouri River.

The KWA heard from the Public Water Supply Committee and approved the Water Marketing Program Variable rate for the 2019 calendar year at $0.405/1000 gallons.

They approved the Kansas Water Office (KWO) to enter into several United States Geological Survey agreements including the streamgaging network, Kansas River Quality Monitoring and Neosho River Sediment Monitoring.

Agreements were also authorized with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) for the Kansas River and Cottonwood/Neosho River Sediment studies.

The Authority was briefed on project proposals submitted to the USACE by KWO to address beneficial uses of sediment in Tuttle Creek and John Redmond reservoirs. At Tuttle Creek, historical estimates indicate that 3,800 acre-feet per year have been lost due to sedimentation. Based on bathymetry it is estimated that approximately 40 percent of the reservoir’s original storage capacity has been silted in. Conservation efforts that were implemented in 2017 in the watershed above Tuttle Creek are projected to reduce the sediment deposition by less than 100 acre-feet per year. Water Injection Dredging technology in combination with hydrosuction is being explored as a method of passing sediment through the dam and distributed into downstream river systems.

The State Water Plan Fund budget process for the coming fiscal year was approved and new members appointed to Regional Advisory Committees. As part of the Kansas Water Vision, the KWA also heard updates from three of the Regional Advisory Committees on the implementation of their regional priority projects.

The Long Term Vision for the Future of Water Supply in Kansas has an educational supplement to address water education for Kansas. The KWA was presented different strategies to consider, helping Kansans value their water and understand the source of their water supply.

The KWA is responsible for advising the Governor, Legislature, and Director of the Kansas Water Office on water policy issues. They also ensure that water policies and programs address the needs of all Kansans as well as serve as advisors of the Kansas Water Vision and Kansas Water Plan. The KWA was established in 1981 and consists of 13 voting members who are appointed by the Governor or Legislative leadership. State agency directors serve as ex-officio members.

KWA meetings are held throughout the year and for additional information and other upcoming meetings, visit www.kwo.ks.gov.

 

Government, Kansas, Submitted

Briefs Filed In Planned Parenthood Fight

Leave a comment

Interested Third Parties File Briefs in Support of Kansas’ Petition in Planned Parenthood Fight

Topeka – Two separate briefs were filed yesterday by interested third parties – including a group of 15 states — in support of the Kansas petition to the U.S. Supreme Court regarding Planned Parenthood’s receipt of Medicaid funds. The case is Andersen v. Planned Parenthood, No. 17-1340, in which Kansas, through KDHE Secretary Jeff Andersen, sought U.S. Supreme Court review of a Tenth Circuit decision that upheld a preliminary injunction in favor of Planned Parenthood, thereby blocking the Kansas effort to defund Planned Parenthood.

One amicus curiae brief was filed by a group of 15 states lead by Indiana, and also including Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. A second amicus curiae brief was filed by Americans United for Life, a prominent pro-life advocacy organization. Both briefs argue that the U.S. Supreme Court should accept the Kansas case and reverse the lower court decision.

“Protecting the right to life will always be something we champion in Kansas, and we are grateful to see other states defending it as well,” said Governor Jeff Colyer. “We are hopeful the Supreme Court will reverse their decision so Kansas no longer has to use public funds for a program that is not supported by the people of our state and other states as well. We will not give up this fight.”