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HB 2407

Increasing protections for child welfare workers.

2023-2024 Regular Session Introduced by Travis Couture and 4 co-sponsors

HB 2407 adds sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, and veteran status to KAAD, extending employment, housing, and public accommodations protections and KHRC enforcement.

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Bill Summary · HB 2407

HB 2407 — Summary

Status: Introduced Feb 4, 2025; referred to the House Committee on Federal and State Affairs
Sponsor(s): Rep. Saiki; Rep. Bradley Fritts (primary)
Companion: SB 3096
Fiscal note issued: March 24, 2025 (Division of the Budget)

Purpose / Intent

HB 2407 would amend the Kansas Act Against Discrimination (KAAD) and related statutes to explicitly add three protected characteristics: (1) sexual orientation, (2) gender identity or expression, and (3) status as a veteran. The stated purpose is to prohibit discrimination on these bases in employment, public accommodations and housing as part of the state's goal to eliminate and prevent discrimination.

Key provisions

  • Adds the following to the list of protected classes in K.S.A. 44-1001 and related provisions:
    • "Sexual orientation" — defined in the bill as actual or perceived heterosexuality, homosexuality, or bisexuality by inclination, practice, or expression.
    • "Gender identity or expression" — defined as gender-related identity, appearance, mannerisms, or other gender-related characteristics regardless of sex designated at birth.
    • "Veteran" — defined as a person who served in active military service and was discharged or released with an honorable discharge.
  • Amends multiple Kansas statutes related to the Kansas Human Rights Commission (KHRC) and enforcement of KAAD, including K.S.A. 12-16,107 and K.S.A. 44-1001, 44-1002, 44-1004, 44-1005, 44-1006, 44-1009, 44-1015, 44-1016, 44-1017, 44-1027, and 44-1030; repeals existing versions of those sections as indicated.

Who would be affected

  • Individuals: Employees, job applicants, residents seeking housing, and users of public accommodations — specifically people whose protections would be clarified or added under the Act (LGBTQ+ persons and veterans).
  • Employers and service providers across the state, including state and local government employers, private employers meeting the statutory thresholds, housing providers, and businesses that serve the public.
  • The Kansas Human Rights Commission (KHRC) and Kansas court system (district courts) as forums for resolution and litigation of complaints.

Fiscal and operational impact (per fiscal note)

  • KHRC currently accepts complaints alleging sex discrimination that have been interpreted to include sexual orientation and gender identity; the agency believes it can handle any incremental increase in such complaints with existing staff.
  • Veteran-status complaints are not covered under federal EEOC anti-discrimination jurisdiction. KHRC estimates ~75 veteran-status discrimination complaints annually — exceeding a typical annual investigator caseload (72 cases).
    • To handle these, KHRC requests 1.00 FTE Special Investigator II plus operating costs:
    • FY 2026 cost: $78,424 (State General Fund)
    • Ongoing annual cost: $67,117 (State General Fund)
    • These veteran-based complaints would not be eligible for reimbursement under KHRC’s EEOC work-sharing contract.
  • Kansas Judicial Branch anticipates a possible increase in district court filings and associated workload; any net fiscal effect is unknown (docket fees might offset some costs).
  • Kansas Association of Counties notes potential fiscal exposure for counties as employers if veteran discrimination claims arise; fiscal effect not estimated. Kansas League of Municipalities reports no expected fiscal effect on cities.

Procedural / next steps

  • Introduced 02/04/2025 and currently referred to the House Committee on Federal and State Affairs. Companion bill SB 3096 remains a related vehicle in the Senate.
  • If advanced from committee and enacted, the changes would expand statutory protections and affect enforcement practices at KHRC and potentially litigation patterns in district courts.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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