Governor Kelly signs bills related to education, suicide prevention, and other topics

Governor Laura Kelly of Kansas signed seven bills on Wednesday, including SB 438, which introduces the Kansas Blueprint for Literacy. This initiative will provide $10 million in additional funding to the Kansas Board of Regents to implement resources for teachers in the science of reading, structured literacy, and literacy screening and assessment tools.

In a statement, Governor Kelly expressed her excitement about the Kansas Blueprint for Literacy, calling it an innovative piece of legislation that will transform how educators teach reading and equip students with the necessary literacy tools for success. The bill aims to prioritize literacy throughout a child’s academic journey and place Kansas at the forefront of nationwide efforts to reform reading instruction.

The collaboration between state universities will establish six Centers for Excellence in Reading, providing assessment of reading difficulties, training for educators, and support for instructional coaches. Melanie Haas, Chair of the Kansas State Board of Education, emphasized the importance of aligning efforts in K-12 and higher education to end the literacy divide for students.

Additionally, Governor Kelly signed several other bills, including Senate Substitute for House Bill 2144, which criminalizes encouraging individuals to attempt suicide, and Senate Bill 333, which creates an employment preference for people with disabilities in state employment. These bills address a range of issues from organized retail crime to property tax exemptions for new electric generation facilities.

The signing of these bills marks a significant step towards improving literacy education and addressing various social and economic issues in Kansas. Stay updated on Capitol Bureau news and breaking stories in northeast Kansas by downloading the mobile app and signing up for news email alerts.