Editor's Note: The Kansas legislature, on Thursday, voted to override Gov. Laura Kelly's veto of House Bill 2311
Despite its overwhelming approval by both the House and Senate, Governor Laura Kelly (D-Kansas) vetoed House Bill 2311 on Monday, saying the "top priority" of the Kansas Department for Children and Families should be adhering to the "best interest of the child" standard. She added that legislation such as HB2311 "detracts from this standard" and stands in the way of best serving those in the child welfare system.
"Children in need of care already face unique and complex challenges," the governor stated. "I will not sign legislation that could further complicate their lives."
The governor went on to say that she also has concerns that this bill could "expose the state to frivolous lawsuits" and hinder the agency by taking time and resources away from critical services.
Brittany Jones, director of policy and engagement for Kansas Family Voice, helped get the bill introduced and approved. Jones says the bill benefits children and families.
"It is a very simple, straightforward, common-sense idea that the government should not force families to conform to a government policy about sexuality and marriage in order to adopt and foster," Jones told AFN. "… [The bill says] that when a family is being considered for adopting or foster care that they can't be forced to comply with the government's policy."
A supermajority is needed to override the governor's veto. "We sent it to her desk with a supermajority of votes in both chambers, so [when] the legislature comes back into session on Thursday [today] the plan is to override that very quickly."
The bill passed in the state House 84-38 and the Senate 31-9.
According to Jones, Kansans have seen Gov. Kelly repeatedly treat people of faith with disregard. "She claims this is the policy of … her administration, but we have families in Kansas who have been denied placement because of very normal beliefs [they hold] about sexuality," she explained.
Kansas Family Voice has posted a "take action" form through which people can urge legislators to override the governor's veto.
