Proponent Testimony on HB 2381, regarding legal representation for a child in need of care Kansas Appleseed presented proponent testimony to the House Committee on Judiciary on HB 2381, stating that the state should provide children with a much needed advocate to solely represent them–not the interests of the court, state, or any other parties involved.
Neutral Testimony on HB 2490, regarding youth case limit extensions Kansas Appleseed presented neutral testimony to the House Committee on Corrections and Juvenile Justice on HB 2490, urging legislators to strengthen this bill by adopting relevant amendments that limit those extensions to 30 days, rather than 90 days.
Proponent Testimony on SB 377, regarding tax relief for Kansas families Kansas Appleseed presented propopnent testimony to the Senate Committee on Assessment and Taxation on SB 377, which would provide tax relief to struggling Kansas families on groceries, school supplies, diapers and feminine hygiene products.
Neutral Testimony on HB 2627, regarding reorganizing requirements for public assistance programs within statute Kansas Appleseed presented neutral testimony to the House Committee on Welfare Reform on HB 2627, stating that the bill does nothing to eliminate those unnecessary barriers in Kansas assistance programs, and only reiterates them.
Proponent Testimony on HB 2553, regarding establishing procedures for when a child in foster care goes missing Kansas Appleseed presented proponent testimony to the House Committee on Child Welfare and Foster Care on HB 2553, stating that this bill would ensure that not only are children found, but that they are found quickly through coordinated efforts.
Proponent Testimony on HB 2552, regarding DCF's use of federal benefits a child in foster care receives while in state custody Kansas Appleseed presented proponent testimony to the House Committee on Child Welfare and Foster Care on HB 2552, stating that the state should protect the funds for those children to help them succeed after they leave foster care.
Neutral Testimony on HB 2673, regarding prohibiting Kansans from using food assistance to purchase soft drinks and candy Kansas Appleseed presented neutral testimony to the House Committee on Welfare Reform on HB 2673, stating that restrictions in this bill only limit the autonomy of individuals to meet their household’s specific financial, cultural, nutritional, and dietary needs based solely on their bank accounts.
Proponent Testimony on HB 2536, regarding the creation of the SOUL Family Legal Permanency Option Kansas Appleseed presented proponent testimony to the House Committee on Child Welfare and Foster Care on HB 2536, stating that it would improve the state’s foster care system by helping achieve stability and permanency for children who are currently falling through the cracks.
Neutral Testimony on HB 2618, regarding requiring specific intent as a criteria for the crime of falsely representing an election official. Kansas Appleseed presented neutral testimony to the House Committee on Elections on HB 2618, stating that while we appreciate the changes made to the bill, it still creates confusion over the law and establishes an intimidation tactic into law.
Proponent Testimony on SB 500, regarding providing restricted driver’s privileges for people who fail to comply with a citation and creating hardship payment plans and waivers Kansas Appleseed presented proponent testimony to the House Committee on Judiciary on SB 500, stating that the amended bill is a significant first step in truly eliminating the unjust and ineffective policy of debt-based driver’s license suspensions. Driving while poor cannot and should not be a crime in the state of Kansas.
Opponent Testimony on SB 488, regarding expanding the duties of the inspector general to audit and investigate all state cash, food, and health assistance programs Kansas Appleseed presented opponent testimony to the Senate Committee on Public Health and Welfare on SB 488, stating that targeting these programs even more when there are already measures in place and very little fraud to begin is a waste of state resources and represents an attack on programs that are designed to help Kansans
Proponent Testimony on HB 2554, regarding directing DCF to identify and notify relatives and persons whom a child in custody has close ties to for placement of the children Kansas Appleseed presented proponent testimony to the House Committee on Child Welfare and Foster Care on HB 2554, stating that research shows that children in foster care who are placed with relatives and kinship caregivers experience less trauma, higher placement stability, and improved behavioral outcomes compared to their peers in non-kinship placements.
Neutral testimony on HB 2556, regarding expanding medical assistance eligibility Kansas Appleseed presented neutral testimony to the House Committee on Health and Human Services on HB 2556, stating that while support medicaid expansion as a policy decision, we are opposed to work requirements currently in the bill.
Proponent Testimony on SB 416, regarding prohibiting fines and fees from being assessed in youth justice cases Kansas Appleseed presented neutral testimony to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary on HB 2556, stating that fines and fees for youth are counterproductive to promoting restorative justice and is causing harm to children and their communities.
