All Roll Calls
Yes: 638 • No: 0
KansasHB 26012025–2026 Regular SessionHouse
Establishing a registry for child abuse and neglect to be maintained by the secretary for children and families, providing for registration and expungement processes that include administrative hearings and opportunities for subsequent appeals, requiring reports of abuse or neglect to include information regarding a custody dispute concerning the child who is the subject of the report and directing the secretary to submit a report to the legislature on such information.
Sponsored By: Committee on Child Welfare and Foster Care
Signed by Governor
senate committee on judiciaryhouse committee on child welfare and foster care
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.
Registry removal requests after three years
People can ask to have their names removed from the registry at least three years after the placement order. The secretary considers the case's severity, other substantiated reports, changed circumstances, juvenile status, and steps to prevent repeat harm. A denial can be appealed to district court within 30 days after notice. After 20 years on the registry, the secretary must review the case for possible removal. Neither process guarantees removal.
New child abuse registry with hearing rights
Kansas creates a confidential child abuse and neglect registry, with disclosure limited to uses allowed by state or federal law. Listings can affect child-care work and caregiving roles. Except for court-ordered placement following a qualifying conviction or abuse finding, placement requires notice and an administrative hearing unless waived. The hearing officer must find clear and convincing evidence; individuals can review agency records and have a lawyer. Placement orders can be appealed to district court within 30 days. Existing registry rules become void July 1, 2027, and the secretary must adopt new implementing rules.
Child-care registry limits and appeal protections
A child-care facility cannot operate with an employee who committed covered abuse or neglect and appears on a covered registry if either condition applies: the employee failed to complete an approved corrective plan, or the record has not been expunged. Covered registries include Kansas, similar state registries, and federal registries. Registry-based bans on living, working, or volunteering at child-care facilities require a chance to be interviewed and present information. The person must also receive notice of the agency decision and an opportunity to appeal. These protections also apply to registry-based bans on day-care employment.
Day-care operators no longer need diplomas
The law removes the high school diploma or equivalent requirement for people operating day-care facilities. It also removes the related exceptions and grandfather rules. The old requirement had been scheduled to expire June 30, 2026; that date is not a new deadline for operators.
Registry checks for children's new caregivers
Before seeking court approval for a SOUL family legal permanency appointment, the secretary must check potential custodians against Kansas's registry. This permanency option serves youth age 16 or older. For independent or agency adoptions, approved assessors may check applicants against Kansas's registry and, when appropriate, registries elsewhere. Adoption assessment reports must include the investigation results.
Abuse reports must include custody disputes
Reports of suspected child abuse, neglect, or need for care must identify known custody disputes and include known details. The secretary must report custody-dispute case counts and outcomes to legislative oversight and judiciary committees. The report covers anonymity, investigation assignments, family needs assessments, substantiation, and out-of-home placement. The first report is due January 11, 2027, then on the first day of each regular legislative session.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Committee on Child Welfare and Foster Care
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/23/2026
Yea: 39 Nay: 0
Yes: 39 • No: 0
House vote • 4/23/2026
Yea: 40 Nay: 0
Yes: 40 • No: 0
House vote • 4/23/2026
Yea: 116 Nay: 0
Yes: 116 • No: 0
House vote • 4/23/2026
Yea: 124 Nay: 0
Yes: 124 • No: 0
House vote • 3/27/2026
Conference Committee Report was adopted
Yes: 124 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/26/2026
Conference Committee Report was adopted
Yes: 39 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/19/2026
Final Action - Passed as amended
Yes: 40 • No: 0
House vote • 2/19/2026
Emergency Final Action - Passed as amended
Yes: 116 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Reengrossed on Wednesday, April 1, 2026
4/9/2026HouseEnrolled and presented to Governor on Friday, April 3, 2026
4/9/2026HouseApproved by Governor on Thursday, April 9, 2026
4/9/2026HouseConference Committee Report was adopted; Yea 124, Nay 0, Absent 1
3/27/2026HouseConference committee report now available
3/26/2026SenateConference Committee Report was adopted; Yea 39, Nay 0, Absent 1
3/26/2026SenateConference committee report now available
3/26/2026HouseConference committee report now available
3/26/2026SenateMotion to accede adopted; Sen. Kellie Warren, Sen. Kenny Titus and Sen. Ethan Corson appointed as conferees
3/24/2026SenateNonconcurred with amendments; Conference Committee requested; appointed Rep. Cyndi Howerton, Rep. Timothy Johnson and Rep. Jarrod Ousley
3/23/2026HouseFinal Action - Passed as amended; Yea 40, Nay 0
3/19/2026SenateCommittee of the Whole - Committee Report be adopted
3/18/2026SenateCommittee of the Whole - Motion to Amend - Offered by Sen. Kellie Warren
3/18/2026SenateCommittee of the Whole - Amendment by Sen. Kellie Warren was adopted
3/18/2026SenateCommittee of the Whole - Be passed as further amended
3/18/2026SenateCommittee Report recommending bill be passed as amended by Senate Committee on Judiciary
3/16/2026SenateHearing: Thursday, March 12, 2026, 10:30 AM — Room 346-S
3/12/2026SenateReferred to Senate Committee on Judiciary
2/26/2026SenateReceived and Introduced
2/25/2026SenateCommittee of the Whole - Committee Report be adopted
2/19/2026HouseCommittee of the Whole - Be passed as amended
2/19/2026HouseMotion to advance to Emergency Final Action adopted
2/19/2026HouseEmergency Final Action - Passed as amended; Yea 116, Nay 0, Absent 9
2/19/2026HouseCommittee Report recommending bill be passed as amended by House Committee on Child Welfare and Foster Care
2/18/2026HouseHearing continuation: Monday, February 16, 2026, 1:30 PM — Room 152-S
2/16/2026House
Bill Text
As Amended by House Committee
As Amended by Senate Committee
As Introduced
Enrolled
{As Amended by Senate Committee of the Whole}
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