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Kansas hearing on SPEAKS Act spotlights K–12 rights, parental complaints and litigation concerns
Summary
Supporters of SB 421 said the SPEAKS Act would protect student speech and club access in K–12 classrooms; opponents — including school boards, unions and administrators — warned the private cause of action could produce repeated litigation, hamper teachers, and create operational conflicts for districts.
Supporters and opponents told the Senate Education Committee differing views on Senate Bill 421, the "SPEAKS Act," which would statutorily authorize certain religious, political and ideological speech and club access in Kansas public K–12 schools and create a civil cause of action for violations.
Tamara Lawrence summarized the bill for the committee: it would prohibit schools from penalizing students for religious, political or ideological expression in homework and class assignments so long as work is assessed by ordinary academic standards; allow student clubs the same access to facilities as other student groups; and permit students to wear clothing or jewelry…
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