Governor Colyer Signs ABLE Act Enhancement into Law

MISSION – Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D. today signed House Bill No. 2067 at the Down Syndrome Guild of Greater Kansas City in Mission. The Bill was designed to enhance the Achieving a Better Life Experience (“ABLE”) program created by the legislature in 2015.

This bill allows individuals with ABLE accounts to receive a Kansas income tax deduction for their contribution in line with the Federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, and reduces the circumstances under which the state Medicaid clawback provision would apply to the accounts.

“ABLE has been a very good program for people with disabilities in Kansas and around the country,” said the Governor. “I’m glad that the legislature followed the Federal Government’s lead in strengthening this great program that helps Kansans with disabilities flourish.”

Kansas Treasurer Jake LaTurner, who is responsible for administering the ABLE program, said the following: “I’ve always been proud to administer the ABLE Savings Program, and I thank the Governor and Legislature for the positive impact improving ABLE will have on those living with a disability.”

The ABLE act had the initial purpose of allowing citizens with disabilities to create savings accounts to be used for disability-related expenses without endangering their federal disability benefits.

HB 2067 also brings Kansas in line with the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act by expanding the allowable uses of 529 education savings plans to include K-12 education.