TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly for the third straight year has vetoed model legislation that would ban transgender girls from playing school sports with cisgender girls.
The Democratic governor said Friday the annual attack on transgender students sends “a signal to prospective companies that Kansas is more focused on unnecessary and divisive legislation than becoming a place where young people want to work and raise a family.
“Let’s be clear about what this bill is all about — politics,” Kelly said. “It won’t increase any test scores. It won’t help any kids read or write. It won’t help any teachers prepare our kids for the real world. Here’s what this bill would actually do: harm the mental health of our students. That’s exactly why Republican governors have joined me in vetoing similar bills.”
The proposed legislation would require children as young as kindergarten age to participate in school activities based on the gender they were assigned at birth. Challenges potentially could expose them to genital inspections.
The Kansas State High School Activities Association said earlier this year that the law would apply to approximately two student athletes in Kansas schools.
Republicans hold supermajority ranks in both chambers, but it remains unclear whether they have the 84 votes needed to override the veto in the House.
One Democrat joined Republicans in the House in passing House Bill 2238 by an 82-40 margin on Feb. 23.
Republicans in the Senate, which only needs 27 votes to override a veto, passed the bill by a 28-11 margin on March 9.
