MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
A wide range of new Kansas laws take effect today, bringing changes that affect motorists, schools, public safety, health care, housing and state government.
Among the most noticeable changes for many Kansans is a new ban on using a handheld mobile phone while driving through active school zones and highway construction zones. The law establishes penalties for violations and is intended to improve safety for students, road workers and drivers.
Kansas schools will also see significant changes. Public school districts and accredited nonpublic schools are now required to prohibit students from using personal electronic communication devices during the school day. The law also prohibits school district employees from using social media to communicate with students for official school business.
Public safety measures taking effect today include tougher penalties for several crimes. Lawmakers increased penalties for sexual extortion involving minors, strengthened laws addressing child sexual exploitation involving AI-generated and manipulated images, and raised the criminal penalty for motor vehicle theft valued at $500 or more to a felony. Another new law requires certain felony offenders to remain in county jail without bond until sentencing.
Property owners also gain new legal protections through the Kansas Removal of Squatters Act, which creates a streamlined process for removing unauthorized occupants from residential properties while establishing penalties for filing false affidavits.
Several health care laws also take effect today. New requirements include criminal background checks for physician assistants, advanced practice registered nurses and registered nurse anesthetists seeking licensure. Kansas also establishes licensing for speech-language pathology assistants and expands the authority of physical therapists to perform certain capillary blood tests.
For schools, another new law requires districts to provide fentanyl abuse education programs and maintain a supply of naloxone in all schools. The legislation also directs the Kansas State Department of Education to establish statewide guidelines for active shooter drills.
Independent contractors may also benefit from new legislation authorizing portable benefit plans, while Kansas joins an updated interstate compact governing the placement of children across state lines.
Other laws taking effect today include:
- Creation of the Kansas Digital Right-to-Repair Act for certain electronic devices.
- New consumer protections for home loans by limiting certain prepayment penalties.
- Authorization for qualifying beekeepers to sell packaged honey and honeycombs without a food establishment license.
- A streamlined permitting process for certain residential housing developments.
- Creation of new specialty license plates and memorial highway designations.
- New protections for pregnancy centers and expanded supported decision-making options for adults with disabilities.
The new laws are part of legislation approved during the 2026 session of the Kansas Legislature and cover a broad range of issues, including criminal justice, education, transportation, agriculture, health care and consumer protections. Kansans are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the changes, particularly those affecting daily activities such as driving, education and public safety.