ACLU of Kansas in the News

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Mar 2, 2024

KS hearing on transgender kids was harmful and unnecessary | Wichita Eagle

In the latest installment of I Watch This Stuff So You Don’t Have To: Today, we’re looking at Thursday’s informational hearing on a bill pending in the Kansas Legislature that seeks to ban gender-affirming...

D.C. Hiegert, a transgender individual and ACLU lawyer, speaks against a bill to outlaw gender-affirming care for minors. Kansas Legislature

Mar 1, 2024

Kansas Republicans push to ban gender-affirming care for trans minors, label it abusive

D.C. Hiegert, an attorney at the ACLU of Kansas, said the proposals were among the largest and most harmful anti-trans bills that had ever been introduced in Kansas.

Sign reading, "It's NOT a trans Person's fault if lawmakers don't understand their life."

Feb 27, 2024

Kansas can help juveniles trapped in cycle of crime, poverty | Kansas City Star

Recently, the Kansas Legislature introduced House Bill 2568, which would end the practice of assessing fees and fines to people moving through the state’s juvenile justice system. As I know firsthand, this...

A bill in the Legislature could lift a financial burden that holds young people back when they leave the criminal justice system. Bigstock Read more at: https://www.kansascity.com/opinion/readers-opinion/guest-commentary/article285938331.html#storylink=c

Feb 26, 2024

Trial starts in suit alleging at-large Dodge City elections unconstitutionally dilute Latino vote • Kansas Reflector

The suit was filed to demonstrate the at-large approach to city commission elections allowing all Dodge City residents to vote for all five commission seats, as opposed to a district form of representation...

The U.S. District Court trial challenging Dodge City’s method of electing city commissioners began Monday with testimony from plaintiff Alejandro Rangel-Lopez.

Feb 25, 2024

Felons who have paid their debt have a lot to teach Kansas about democracy | Kansas City Star

As a formerly incarcerated individual who successfully navigated the justice system, I understand firsthand the importance of restoring voting rights to citizens returning to public life.

Ladies That Lean is a Kansas City nonprofit that helps formerly incarcerated women integrate back into society.

Feb 23, 2024

Kansas lawmakers approve major civil asset forfeiture reform | Kansas City Star

Rashane Hamby, director of policy and research at the ACLU of Kansas, said Kansas’ current forfeiture law has placed an undue burden on claimants and has disproportionately impacted those who don’t have the...