From the Gallery
State Legislation

As legislators and Kansans celebrate Kansas Days this weekend, I am reminded of the hearty spirit and fortitude of those who settled this great state. I never cross the rolling prairies without thinking of the courage and perseverance it must have taken to settle a land fraught with snowstorms, drought, tornadoes and downpours not to mention insect invasions and just the ordinary rigors of life. Women living in sod houses, enduring the elements, raising their families and setting down roots that would nourish the flourishing life to come for Kansans across the state never cease to amaze me.

The Kansas Legislature is in full swing; I have to say there is a difference in the atmosphere in our beautiful Capital building. There seems to be hope and cautious optimism in the midst of some rather daunting problems facing our state. Perhaps the prayers that launched the session and the prayers of many encouragers will help keep that glimmer of hopefulness alive for the remainder of the session.

Sexual orientation and gender identity
A bill (S 53) that was introduced by the Senate Committee on Federal & State Affairs again this year was a bill to include sexual orientation and gender identity in the civil rights statutes. This bill would amend 11 existing Kansas statutes to add these designations to housing, employment, and hiring practices. It would also create advisory agencies and conciliation councils that would deal with issues concerning sexual orientation or gender identity. This bill was introduced by the same committee last year and did not reach the Senate floor.

In addition to this state proposed legislation, an ongoing plan to pass an ordinance in Manhattan, Kansas, to add sexual identity to the city's current ordinance as a protected category was voted on December 7, 2010, and is scheduled for another vote on Tuesday February 1, 2011. Under the ordinance, a complaint could be filed by anyone who experienced "discrimination" in three categories: public accommodations, employment, and housing. Religious organizations are exempted only if their housing or business is non-commercial; they are not exempted if they provide a service that falls within the category of public accommodation. ["City in Kansas pushes law believed to violate religious liberties"; Kansas Liberty, December 28, 2010] Businesses with less than four employees would be exempt in the second draft. The ordinance is expected to pass even with many groups, including the Kansas Family Policy Council, strenuously objecting.

The bottom line: Groups advocating for special protection under the law based on a behavior that historically has been viewed as outside the norm of acceptable and legal behavior are infringing on shared faith values of many religious groups as well as infringing upon the conscience of employers and those who provide public accommodation. Accommodation of these groups as a protected class will also impact social and fiscal policy in the community and, based on the agenda of S 53, the state of Kansas as well.

Abortion
HB 2035 had a hearing last week in the House Federal & State Affairs Committee. This bill as outlined in last week's update will put an end to abortion clinics being able to ignore regulations concerning abortions performed on viable babies. The bill has 63 co-sponsors and is expected to pass out of committee. Another bill, HB 2007, removes the "mental health" exception used so often by abortionists performing abortions on viable babies. This bill specifically states that the term "bodily function" does not include mental or emotional functions. CWA is tracking this bill.

Community Defense Act
The Community Defense Act (HB 2107) is a bill that provides regulation for sexually-oriented businesses such as strip clubs, etc. A similar bill was offered last year but failed to pass. Another similar bill did pass in Missouri last year. The bill would regulate "touching" of patrons/strippers, would regulate the hours of business, and regulates the locations of such businesses as well as other things.

Judge Selection
HB 2101 was introduced last week; it is a bill that would change the way Kansas Supreme Court justices and justices for courts of appeal would be selected. Currently a selection committee submits names to the governor, and he/she pick the one of their choice. This bill would allow the governor to appoint but would subject the appointee to Senate confirmation.

Voting
The Secretary of State, Kris Kobach recently introduced the Kansas Secure and Fair Elections Act. This bill provides strengthening penalties under the bill for: It also provides for: HB 2067 will be heard in the House Federal & State Affairs Committee on February 1 and 2, in Room 546-S at 9:00 a.m.

Immigration
A hearing will be held on HB 2006 bill addressing in-state tuition for aliens who are not lawfully present in the United States. This bill is in compliance with federal regulations. CWA is tracking this bill.

Health Care Freedom Act
There will be an informational hearing on Monday, January 31, in the House Health and Human Services Committee at 1:30 in Room 711 at the Docking Office Building across the street from the Capital. Plan to attend this information meeting which will have testimony from Congressman Todd Tiahrt.

Concerned Women for America of Kansas
P. O. Box 11233
Shawnee Mission, KS 66207
Phone/Fax: 913-491-1380
Email: director@kansas.cwfa.org
Web site: kansas.cwfa.org