SESSION OF 2024
SUPPLEMENTAL NOTE ON HOUSE BILL NO. 2613
As Amended by House Committee of the Whole

Brief*
HB 2613, as amended, would create a statewide Drug
Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) educator in the
Office of the Attorney General.

D.A.R.E. Educator
The bill would establish the position of D.A.R.E.
educator within the Office of the Attorney General with the
following responsibilities:
● Provide D.A.R.E. curriculum instruction, including
content on fentanyl and other opioids, to public K-
12 schools; and
● Perform services and provide materials and
information necessary to support the D.A.R.E.
program in Kansas.
D.A.R.E. Fund
The bill would also establish the D.A.R.E. Fund in the
State Treasury and authorize the Office of the Attorney
General to administer the fund. The fund would be for the
purpose of supporting the D.A.R.E. program within the state
and would be subject to appropriations.

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*Supplemental notes are prepared by the Legislative Research
Department and do not express legislative intent. The supplemental
note and fiscal note for this bill may be accessed on the Internet at
http://www.kslegislature.org
Background
The bill was introduced by Representative Essex.

House Committee on Education
In the House Committee hearing, proponent testimony
was provided by Representative Essex, representatives of
the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, Kansas Bureau of
Investigation, and Office of the Attorney General, and private
citizens. The proponents generally stated that drug abuse
prevention education in public schools is lacking both in
availability and consistency, and a statewide D.A.R.E.
educator would help address those gaps. The proponents
also highlighted the current dangers of fentanyl and its impact
on teenagers and young adults.
Written-only proponent testimony was provided by
representatives of the Blue Valley School District, D.A.R.E.
America, Kansas Association of Counties, Office of the
Attorney General, Olathe Public Schools, and private citizens.
Opponent testimony was provided by a representative
of the Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund (Children’s
Cabinet). The conferee noted they were in full support of the
D.A.R.E. Program, and their opposition was due solely to the
transfer of funds from the Kansas Endowment for Youth
(KEY) Fund. The conferee further explained the KEY Fund is
the source of funding for the Children’s Initiative Fund which
is utilized by the Children’s Cabinet and other state agencies
to fund various early childhood programs.
Neutral testimony was provided by the Kansas National
Education Association.
No other testimony was provided.


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House Committee of the Whole
The House Committee of the Whole amended the bill to
remove the demand transfer of $300,000 from the KEY Fund.

Fiscal Information
According to the fiscal note prepared by the Division of
the Budget on the bill, as introduced, the Office of the
Attorney General states the bill would require the addition of
1.0 FTE and $125,000 for the new position of D.A.R.E.
educator and all remaining funds from the transfer would be
utilized to expand the program. The State Department of
Education states the bill would have no fiscal effect on the
agency.
Any fiscal effect from the bill is not reflected in The FY
2025 Governor’s Budget.
Education; Drug Abuse Resistance Education; D.A.R.E.; Office of Attorney General;
K-12 Schools; drugs; fentanyl; opioid


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Statutes affected:
As introduced: 38-2101, 75-721
{As Amended by House Committee of the Whole}: 38-2101, 75-721