Governor Laura Kelly has vetoed House Bill 23-11. She says the top priority of the Kansas Department for Children and Families should be adhering to the “best interest of the child” standard. Legislation in House Bill 23-11 detracts from this standard and stands in the way of best serving those in the child welfare system. She goes on to say that children in need of care already face unique and complex challenges and she will not sign legislation that could further complicate their lives. Kelly believes that the bill could expose the state to frivolous lawsuits and hinder the agency by taking resources away for critical services
House bill 23-11 would, if passed successfully, prohibit the Secretary of the Kansas Department for Children and Families from adopting and enforcing policies for placement, custody and appointment of a custodian that may conflict with sincerely held religious or moral beliefs regarding sexual orientation or gender identity and creating a right of action for violations.
