All Roll Calls
Yes: 494 • No: 64
KansasHB 20182025–2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
Senate Substitute for HB 2018 by Committee on Federal and State Affairs - Creating the crime of interference with the conduct of a religious assembly, providing criminal penalties therefor and providing for a civil cause of action for damages.
Sponsored By: Committee on Elections
Became Law
senate committee on federal and state affairshouse committee on elections
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Worship victims gain rights to sue
People injured by prohibited interference with a religious assembly can sue in an appropriate Kansas state court. A winning plaintiff may recover actual damages, punitive damages up to three times actual damages, court costs, and reasonable attorney fees. Alternatively, the plaintiff may choose $5,000 in statutory damages per violation. Courts may also order the conduct stopped or grant other equitable relief. The filing deadline is five years after discovery of the violation or the end of a related criminal case, whichever is later. At a Kansas victim's request, or on its own determination, the Kansas attorney general may sue on the victim's behalf. In that action, courts may impose public-interest civil penalties, rather than payments to the victim. For nonviolent force, threat, or obstruction violations, penalties are $10,000 for a first violation and $15,000 for subsequent violations. For violations of other provisions, penalties are $15,000 for a first violation and $25,000 for subsequent violations.
New protections and penalties for worship
Kansas protects people exercising or seeking to exercise religious freedom at a place of worship by creating new crimes. Intentionally injuring, intimidating, or restricting them through force, threats of force, or physical obstruction is a level 10 person felony. A second or later conviction is a level 6 person felony. Reckless property damage, defacement, or destruction, excluding fire or explosives, carries penalties based on the damaged property's value. Below $1,000, it is a class A nonperson misdemeanor; from $1,000 to under $25,000, a level 9 nonperson felony. At $25,000 or more, it is a level 7 nonperson felony. Either offense becomes aggravated interference, a level 4 person felony, when committed while possessing a firearm or weapon illegally under the specified Kansas weapons laws. Physical obstruction includes making entry or exit impassable, unreasonably difficult, or hazardous. The Kansas attorney general shares prosecution authority with local prosecutors when the alleged course of criminal conduct spans two or more counties. That authority also covers attempts, conspiracies, and criminal solicitations.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Committee on Elections
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
Committee on Federal and State Affairs
Affiliation unavailable
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/23/2026
Yea: 106 Nay: 14
Yes: 106 • No: 14
House vote • 4/23/2026
Yea: 34 Nay: 6
Yes: 34 • No: 6
House vote • 4/23/2026
Yea: 107 Nay: 12
Yes: 107 • No: 12
House vote • 3/26/2026
Concurred with amendments in conference
Yes: 106 • No: 14
Senate vote • 3/19/2026
Final Action - Substitute passed
Yes: 34 • No: 6
House vote • 2/14/2025
Emergency Final Action - Passed as amended
Yes: 107 • No: 12
Actions Timeline
Will become law without Governor's signature
4/10/2026HouseEnrolled and presented to Governor on Friday, April 3, 2026
4/9/2026HouseConcurred with amendments in conference; Yea 106, Nay 14, Absent 5
3/26/2026HouseMotion to accede adopted; Sen. Mike Thompson, Sen. Tory Marie Blew and Sen. Oletha Faust Goudeau appointed as conferees
3/24/2026SenateNonconcurred with amendments; Conference Committee requested; appointed Rep. Tom Kessler, Rep. Rebecca Schmoe and Rep. Heather Meyer
3/23/2026HouseFinal Action - Substitute passed; Yea 34, Nay 6
3/19/2026SenateCommittee of the Whole - Committee Report be adopted recommending substitute bill be passed
3/18/2026SenateCommittee of the Whole - Substitute bill be passed
3/18/2026SenateCommittee Report recommending substitute bill be passed by Senate Committee on Federal and State Affairs
3/17/2026SenateReferred to Senate Committee on Federal and State Affairs
2/18/2025SenateEngrossed on Friday, February 14, 2025
2/17/2025HouseReceived and Introduced
2/17/2025SenateCommittee of the Whole - Committee Report be adopted
2/14/2025HouseCommittee of the Whole - Be passed as amended
2/14/2025HouseMotion to advance to Emergency Final Action adopted
2/14/2025HouseEmergency Final Action - Passed as amended; Yea 107, Nay 12, Absent 6
2/14/2025HouseCommittee Report recommending bill be passed as amended by House Committee on Elections
2/6/2025HouseHearing: Tuesday, January 28, 2025, 3:30 PM — Room 218-N
1/28/2025HouseIntroduced
1/16/2025HouseReferred to House Committee on Elections
1/16/2025HouseAllowed to become law without signature; 2026 Kansas session laws, chapter 149
Governor
Bill Text
As Amended by House Committee on Elections
As Introduced
Enrolled
S Sub for
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