Senate Education committee advances several bills out of committee, including enrollment and student‑rights measures
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Summary
The committee voted voice approvals to advance SB 361 (foreign exchange student enrollment), SB 304 (Born to Invest Act), SB 419 (Kansas Intellectual Rights and Knowledge Act), and SB 421 (SPEAKS Act); motions were moved and seconded and each motion carried by voice vote.
During its session the Senate Education Committee moved multiple previously‑heard bills out of committee on voice votes.
- SB 361: Moved by Senator Starnes and seconded by Senator Thomas, the committee reported SB 361 favorably. The bill would allow foreign exchange students living with host families to enroll in the host family’s resident school district as if they were district residents and exempt them from the open‑seat lottery.
- SB 304 (Born to Invest Act): Moved by Senator Hill and seconded by Senator Starnes, the committee reported SB 304 favorably. The bill directs the Office of Vital Statistics to provide data to the state treasurer for distribution of informational materials regarding certain government‑administered savings accounts.
- SB 419 (Kansas Intellectual Rights and Knowledge Act): Moved by Senator Gossage and seconded by Senator Starnes, the committee reported SB 419 favorably. The bill would codify student and student association rights to exercise political and ideological beliefs and missions.
- SB 421 (Safeguarding Personal Expression at K‑12 Schools Act, 'SPEAKS Act'): Moved by Senator Thomas and seconded by Senator Shane, the committee reported SB 421 favorably. The bill would statutorily authorize certain student speech and student club expression in K‑12 schools.
Each motion carried on a voice vote; no recorded roll‑call tallies were provided in the hearing transcript. The committee chair closed the day's work and outlined the order of upcoming bills for members' preparation.
