KS
Kansas House Bill HB2103

Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas House Bill HB2103

Introduced
1/28/25  

Caption

Including participation in certain learning experiences and agricultural activities as a valid excuse for absence from school and authorizing school boards to make rules therefor.

Impact

The implications of HB2103 on state laws primarily involve modifications to K.S.A. 72-3121, which governs school attendance compliance. By specifying acceptable absences related to educational activities, the law acknowledges the importance of non-traditional learning experiences. This change could lead to increased participation in agricultural and related educational programs, facilitating the development of practical skills in students that extend beyond the classroom. The inclusion of such programs aims to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world applications, thereby enriching student education.

Summary

House Bill 2103 focuses on amending regulations concerning school attendance in Kansas. Specifically, it includes participation in certain learning experiences and agricultural science activities as valid excuses for absences from school. This bill provides school boards with the authority to establish rules defining these exceptions, thereby encouraging student participation in extracurricular and enrichment programs that are not traditionally recognized under current attendance policies. The bill seeks to enhance educational flexibility by recognizing a broader scope of legitimate reasons for student absence.

Contention

Discussion surrounding HB2103 may include concerns over the potential for abuse of the newly defined categories of absences. Critics could argue that without stringent regulations, students might misuse these provisions as a reason to avoid school. On the other hand, advocates for the bill emphasize the need for flexibility in modern education systems, arguing that exposure to various forms of learning is crucial for student development. The balance between allowing legitimate educational opportunities while preventing excessive truancy will be central to the ongoing debate about the bill.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

KS SB113

House Substitute for SB 113 by Committee on K-12 Education Budget - Making appropriations for the department of education for FY 23, FY 24 and FY 25; establishing the mental health intervention team program; authorizing certain students to participate in activities regulated by the Kansas state high school activities association; requiring school districts to post certain enrollment and academic information on school district websites; revising school district open-enrollment procedures; authorizing local school board members to receive compensation from their school district; authorizing current-year student enrollment for determinations of state foundation aid; continuing the 20 mill statewide tax levy for schools; amending the school districts that qualify for and the amount that school districts are able to levy pursuant to the cost-of-living weighting.

KS SB485

Authorizing students attending public schools with low proficiency scores and certain private elementary and secondary school students to participate in the tax credit for low income students scholarship program.

KS HB2138

Senate Substitute for HB 2138 by Committee on Education - Requiring school districts to provide separate accommodations for students of each biological sex on overnight school district sponsored trips, requiring contracts for exclusive broadcasts of state high school activities association activities to permit certain local broadcasts and providing for administrative review of resolutions to permanently close a school building of a school district.

KS HB2718

Eliminating school district open enrollment requirements and authorizing school districts to determine nonresident student enrollment.

KS SB475

Eliminating school district open enrollment requirements and authorizing school districts to determine nonresident student enrollment.

KS HB2060

Senate Substitute for HB 2060 by Committee on Education - Authorizing payments from the state safety fund to community colleges for the provision of driver's education, authorizing the provision of tools, supplies and examinations to AO-K career pathway program participants and including high school equivalency credentials in performance-based payments for postsecondary educational institutions.

KS HB2829

Clarifying the definition of armed forces and updating the definition thereof to include the space force.

KS SB465

Authorizing school districts to levy an annual levy of up to two mills for the purposes of school building safety, security and compliance with the Americans with disabilities act and including such levy in the capital outlay state aid determination for such school districts.

KS HB2726

Requiring school districts to provide timely implementation of an individualized education program and advanced enrollment for certain children who are new to such school district.

KS HB2030

Authorizing nonpublic school students to participate in activities regulated by the Kansas state high school activities association and allowing nonpublic school students who enroll part time in a public school to participate in nonpublic school activities.

Similar Bills

LA SCR39

Creates and provides for the Child Protection Act Advisory Commission.

KS HB2243

Requiring the secretary for children and families to enter into a memorandum of understanding with military installations to refer children in need of care cases involving children of military personnel to a military family advocacy program.

CA SCR117

Mendez v. Westminster School District Day.

KS HB2629

Requiring the secretary for health and environment to provide a death certificate of a child to the state child death review board, increasing the number of board members, allowing for compensation and providing for the disclosure of certain records to certain persons for securing grants.

OR HB2444

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KS SB115

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KS HB2175

Requiring the secretary for children and families to notify the parent of a child who is the subject of an investigation of abuse or neglect of such parent's rights during such investigation and to complete a written report upon closing such an investigation, providing for an agreement between the parent of a child and the secretary if such child is removed from the home during an investigation of abuse or neglect and a parent to withhold certain information except when otherwise ordered by a court.

KS HB2070

Senate Substitute for HB 2070 by Committee on Judiciary - Establishing the office of the child advocate as an independent state agency, making orders granting custody for adoption subject to the federal Indian child welfare act, directing the secretary for children and families to consider foster parents as prospective adoptive parents in certain circumstances and authorizing appeal of any order of placement of a child.