US EditionKansas Governor Vetoes Bathroom Bill that Would Have Changed Access for Transgender People
Governor Kelly vetoed a bill that would restrict bathroom access and gender marker changes for about 500 transgender Kansans, citing poor drafting and unintended consequences.
- On Feb. 13, Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed Senate Bill 244, calling it poorly drafted and returning it to the Kansas Legislature for a possible override; this is her first veto of the 2026 session.
- On Jan. 28, Republican lawmakers used a 'gut and go' maneuver to pass SB 244 after rewriting a bail-bond bill, with votes of 87-36 in the House and 30-9 in the Senate.
- The bill would have required multi-occupancy private spaces to be designated by sex assigned at birth, creating enforcement mechanisms and penalties, including misdemeanor or criminal charges for repeat offenders.
- House Speaker Dan Hawkins, R-Wichita, said House Republicans 'stand ready to override this ridiculous veto,' and GOP supermajorities in the Kansas House and Senate make an override possible.
- Advocates note the wider significance that about 500 transgender Kansans would be affected and an override could make the law take effect within weeks instead of the typical July 1.
13 Articles
13 Articles
Kansas governor vetoes anti-trans bathroom bill, citing ‘numerous and significant consequences'
Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed a "bathroom bill" on Feb. 13, 2026, calling the bill "poorly drafted." (Photo by Thad Allton for Kansas Reflector)TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed a controversial bill that forces transgender people to use bathrooms that match their biological sex at birth, saying the poorly drafted legislation would have far-reaching consequences. The Democratic governor now hands House Substitute for Senate Bill 244 back to a Legislatur…
Kansas governor vetoes anti-trans bathroom bill, citing ‘numerous and significant consequences’
TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed a controversial bill that forces transgender people to use bathrooms that match their biological sex at birth, saying the poorly drafted legislation would have far-reaching consequences. The Democratic governor now hands House Substitute for…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 57% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
