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HB 2102

Substitute for HB 2102 by Committee on Education - Providing for the advance enrollment of a military student whose parent or person acting as parent will be stationed in this state and correcting federal statutory citations in the interstate compact on educational opportunity for military children.

2025-2026 Regular Session

Allows advance enrollment for military children in Kansas schools before residency, with no address proof, enabling timely access and required IEP/504 services.

Approved by Governor on Wednesday, March 26, 2025
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Bill Summary · HB 2102

Summary — HB 2102 (Substitute for HB 2102 by House Committee on Education)

Status: Approved by Governor (signed) March 26, 2025. Law effective July 1, 2025.
Introduced: January 27, 2025. Primary sponsor: Rep. Tony M. McCombie.

Purpose / Intent

HB 2102 is intended to ease school enrollment transitions for children of military families by allowing advance enrollment in Kansas school districts (including certain pre‑K programs) when a parent or person acting as parent will be stationed at a Kansas military installation. The bill also makes technical corrections to federal statutory citations in the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children.

Key provisions

  • Advance enrollment (New Section 1):
    • A school district must enroll any “military student” in K–12 prior to the student’s physical residency in Kansas if the student provides evidence that the parent/person acting as parent will be stationed at a Kansas military installation during the current or next school year.
    • “Military student” is defined consistent with K.S.A. 72‑5139.
    • No proof of address is required at the time of enrollment.
    • Residency within the district may be required for attendance only if the district does not have open seats (as determined by K.S.A. 72‑3123 / Open Enrollment rules).
  • Pre‑kindergarten:
    • If a district offers a pre‑K program, it must permit advance enrollment of an eligible military student; if no seats are open, the student is placed on the waiting list.
    • The bill does not require districts to create pre‑K programs they are not already required to offer or do not currently offer.
  • Special education / 504 plans:
    • If the enrolling military student has an IEP or 504 plan, the district must take appropriate measures to ensure required educational and related services are provided upon the student’s attendance.
  • Interstate Compact:
    • Technical amendments correct federal statutory citations in the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children (references to U.S. Code provisions).

Who is affected

  • Primary: children of military families relocating to Kansas and their parents/guardians.
  • School districts: enrollment procedures, waiting lists for pre‑K, and obligations to implement IEPs/504 services upon attendance.
  • State agencies: minimal administrative impact anticipated.

Fiscal and procedural notes

  • Fiscal note (Division of the Budget, Feb. 3, 2025): no fiscal effect on the State Department of Education; any effect on state aid is expected to be negligible and not reflected in the FY 2026 Governor’s Budget Report.
  • Legislative action highlights: passed both chambers (final House vote Yea 40–Nay 0 recorded March 19, 2025), enrolled March 24, 2025, approved by Governor March 26, 2025. Law effective July 1, 2025.

Context / Rationale

Proponents (Adjutant General’s Department, Military Officers Association of America, U.S. Department of Defense, Kansas Association of School Boards) testified advance enrollment removes barriers created when families have military orders but cannot prove residency at enrollment, and the bill clarifies protections for students with special education needs.

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

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