The bill establishes a policy in Kansas that prohibits public educational institutions receiving tax dollars from engaging in discriminatory practices based on religion or promoting antisemitism. It allows individuals who believe they have been wronged to file complaints with the attorney general, who can investigate these claims, issue subpoenas, and impose civil penalties of up to $10,000 for each violation. The bill defines antisemitism according to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's working definition and clarifies that educational coursework on world religions is permissible. Additionally, it amends existing laws related to discrimination, reinforcing the state's commitment to eliminating discrimination based on various factors, including race, religion, and national origin.

The bill also modifies the process for filing discrimination complaints, stipulating that they must be filed within six months of the alleged act, unless it is part of a continuing pattern, in which case the timeframe extends to the last act of discrimination. It allows for the dismissal of complaints if no action is taken by the commission within 300 days, enabling complainants to pursue legal action in court without needing to file for reconsideration. Furthermore, the bill increases the maximum award for damages related to pain, suffering, and humiliation from $2,000 to $10,000, and includes provisions for issuing subpoenas and outlines the roles of presiding officers in hearings. It also repeals certain sections of existing law to streamline the legal framework surrounding discrimination complaints and enforcement in Kansas.

Statutes affected:
As introduced: 76-711, 44-1001, 44-1004, 44-1005, 44-1009