Kansas Military Legislation & Policies

Latest Status

Military Spouse Employment and Economic Opportunities (Cosmetology Licensure Compact): Kansas Governor Signed Final Legislation

Demographic Data

State residents include:

20,477 active-duty service members
7,764 active-duty spouses
14,696 active-duty children
14,897 National Guard and reserve members
6,506 National Guard and reserve spouses
11,025 National Guard and reserve children

Data source: DMDC, Aug. 31, 2024.

Michelle Richart

Midwest Regional Liaison

Midwest Region

CO, IA, KS, ND, NE, SD

EMAIL

Ms. Richart became Midwest region liaison in 2023. Prior to joining the DSLO, she practiced law in the defense, corporate and nonprofit sectors and volunteered in a variety of military family advocacy and policy positions. Ms. Richart is a military spouse and graduate of the Nebraska College of Law.

State-Specific Progress on State Policy Priorities and Sub-Priorities

See the latest status on legislation and policies being advanced in this state on state policy priorities important to military families. Find quick access to this state’s regional liaison, along with demographic data for the military community in this state.

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Access to Quality Child Care

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

01/26/2023

Access to Quality Child Care Final Legislation

POLICY Federal Department of Defense (DoD) child care programs operate on federal property, so they are not subject to state and local child care licensing requirements. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), the state agency overseeing licensing and regulation of child care facilities, does not have the authority to license child care on any military installation/base. In some situations, military housing is not sufficient on base. This policy provides that KDHE accepts DoD licensure and oversight in lieu of state licensing for off-base child care programs if they meet the following criteria: • Home-based setting (family child care provided in a residence); and • Owned and operated by active-duty military families; and • Serving only military families/children. Kansas Child Care Licensing laws and policies do not provide any exemptions for civilian-owned child care facilities. Any civilian child care facility location must be licensed by KOH E regardless of whether the facility serves military families/children. PROCEDURES Any Family Child Care (FCC) program operating under this exception must prominently display, in a front window, the FCC Certification indicating authority to operate under the DoD. Any DoD Unit overseeing family child care off base must provide a list of active locations to the local child care licensing surveyor and notify the surveyor if a new facility opens, or an existing facility closes. A list of local surveyors is available at https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/280/Child-Care-Licensing. AUTHORITY KDHE is the state agency responsible for implementing the Child Care Act (K.S.A. 65-501 et seq.). Further, KDHE regularly reviews inquiries regarding licensure and determines whether a program is required to be licensed in accordance with state law and program policy. PURPOSE The purpose of this policy is to provide clarity for DoD authority as it pertains to child care facilities operated on and off base and to remove access to care barriers for military personnel.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Military Spouse Employment and Economic Opportunities13/17 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Compact

02/05/2025HB2266

Audiology/Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact

03/19/2021SB 77

02/24/2021SB 77

03/31/2021

Audiology/Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact Final Legislation

AN ACT concerning health professions and practices; relating to audiologists and speech-language pathologists; licensure; enacting the audiology and speech-language pathology interstate compact.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Cosmetology Licensure Compact

02/14/2025HB2068

03/19/2025HB2068

04/09/2025

Cosmetology Licensure Compact Final Legislation

This bill enacts the school psychologist compact, the dietitian compact, the cosmetology compact and the physicians assistant compact to provide interstate practice privileges.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Dental and Dental Hygienist Compact

03/26/2024HB 2453

04/12/2024

Dental and Dental Hygienist Compact Final Legislation

Dentist and dental hygienist compact

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Dietitian Licensure Compact

02/14/2025HB2070

03/26/2025HB2069

04/09/2025

Dietitian Licensure Compact Final Legislation

This bill enacts the school psychologist compact, the dietitian compact, the cosmetology compact and the physicians assistant compact to provide interstate practice privileges.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Emergency Medical Services Licensure Compact

05/13/2015

Emergency Medical Services Licensure Compact Final Legislation

Allows licensed personnel to work on existing license issued outside of KS while living in KS.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Interstate Massage Therapy Compact

Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact

04/04/2023SB66

02/21/2023SB66

04/24/2023

Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact Final Legislation

Enacting the interstate teacher mobility compact to recognize equivalent teacher licenses across member states, requiring that licensing bodies provide verified electronic credentials to all credential holders based on their credentials from other jurisdictions and requiring licensing bodies to use centralized electronic credential data management systems capable of providing instantaneous credential verification.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Licensed Professional Counseling Compact

03/27/2023HB2288

02/22/2023HB2288

04/10/2023

Licensed Professional Counseling Compact Final Legislation

Counseling Compact

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Nurse Licensure Compact

02/22/2018HB-2496

03/28/2018HB-2496

04/10/2018

Nurse Licensure Compact Final Legislation

This bill establishes the interstate commission of Nurse Licensure Compact. It allows licensed nurses moving to Kansas from another nurse compact state to go to work immediately on their current license.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact

Physical Therapy Licensure Compact

05/17/2021

Physical Therapy Licensure Compact Final Legislation

Physical Therapy Occupational Compact

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Physician Associates Compact

02/19/2025HB2219

02/19/2025SB126

04/09/2025

Physician Associates Compact Final Legislation

This bill enacts the school psychologist compact, the dietitian compact, the cosmetology compact and the physicians assistant compact to provide interstate practice privileges.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact

04/09/2021SB 170

05/04/2021SB 170

05/17/2021

Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact Final Legislation

PYSPACT Passage

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Social Work Licensure Compact

02/21/2024HB2484

03/26/2024HB2484

04/12/2024

Social Work Licensure Compact Final Legislation

Social work licensure compact

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Interstate Compact for School Psychologists

03/19/2025HB2069

02/14/2025HB2069

04/09/2025

Interstate Compact for School Psychologists Final Legislation

This bill enacts the school psychologist compact, the dietitian compact, the cosmetology compact and the physicians assistant compact to provide interstate practice privileges.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Respiratory Care Interstate Compact

Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

02/04/2025HB2243

Concurrent Juvenile Jurisdiction

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

02/19/2025HB2242

03/19/2025HB2242

04/08/2025

Concurrent Juvenile Jurisdiction Final Legislation

This policy authorizes the governor to accept requests of concurrent jurisdiction from military installations in Kansas.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

State Support for Military Families With Special Education Needs1/2 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Minimize Delays

02/19/2025HB 2102

03/23/2025HB 2102

04/08/2025

Minimize Delays Final Legislation

This policy requires a school district to enroll any military student in kindergarten or any of the grades one through 12 prior to such student physically residing in this state if such student provides evidence that such student's parent or person acting as parent will be stationed at a military installation in this state during the current or immediately succeeding school year. This policy further clarifies that those with special education needs are included.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Reduce Burdens

Open Enrollment Flexibility

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

04/29/2024

Open Enrollment Flexibility Final Legislation

Subject to capacity, school districts shall give priority to any nonresident student who is a military student as defined in K.S.A. 725139, and amendments thereto. Priority shall be given when the military student is first accepted and, if necessary, at any other time the school district considers transfer applications. Any such military student shall not be subject to the open seat lottery.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Defining Armed Forces in State Policy

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

03/21/2024HB2829

04/24/2024

Defining Armed Forces in State Policy Final Legislation

AN ACT concerning veterans and military...updating the definition of armed forces to include the space force

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

State Response to Military Interpersonal Violence1/3 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Recognize MPOs

Increase Peace Officer Responsibilities

Allow Virtual Appearance or Provide Victim Travel Funds

07/01/2010

Allow Virtual Appearance or Provide Victim Travel Funds Final Legislation

This statute allows for remote testimony where there is good cause.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Military Community Representation on State Boards and Councils1/4 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Military Affairs

01/01/2007

Military Affairs Final Legislation

The Governor’s Military Council was created by Executive Order 07-05 and is chaired by the Governor of Kansas. The Council serves as a key partner with local communities, administration, key legislators, members of the Kansas congressional delegation, key business and military leaders to grow and optimize the military presence in Kansas, including recruitment and retention of new missions and force structure. It works to leverage this growth into additional defense related jobs. The 26-member council fosters cooperation between the installations and private and public sectors, and pursues initiatives to enhance the quality of life for all military personnel, active and retired. The council also assists in the development, coordination, and execution of strategy required by any future change in missions proposed by the Department of Defense. One line of effort is to pursue initiatives to enhance the quality of life for our service men an women, veterans, and their families.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Nutrition and Food Security

Economic and Workforce Development

Early Childhood Education and Childcare

Remote Driver's License and Vehicle Registration Renewal2/2 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Driver's License

01/01/2020

Driver's License Final Legislation

Active duty military members and their dependents stationed outside of Kansas may obtain a replacement of their Kansas driver's license, obtain a six month extension on their Kansas driver's license, or renew their Kansas driver's license through the mail. See also https://ikan.ks.gov/

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Vehicle Registration

01/01/2020

Vehicle Registration Final Legislation

The State of Kansas permits remote renewal of vehicle registrations for all individuals.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Status and Demographic Content

State Details

Regional Liaison

Other Content

Map Legend

State Policy Priorities 2025

Status and Demographic Content

State Details

Regional Liaison

Other Content

Map Legend

State Policy Priorities 2025

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