Kansas Legislature Passes Privacy Measure Similar to Arkansas Law

On Wednesday, the Kansas Legislature passed a measure protecting physical privacy and safety in showers, restrooms, locker rooms, and changing areas in public buildings. The legislation requires these facilities to be designated specifically for male or female use.
Kansas’ measure is similar to Arkansas Act 955 of 2025 by Sen. Blake Johnson (R — Corning) and Rep. Mary Bentley (R — Perryville).
Over the past several years, lawmakers in Arkansas have worked diligently to strengthen state laws protecting physical privacy and safety. Act 955 is the latest step in that process. Now Kansas joins a growing list of states that have considered similar measures.
Laws like these are necessary to protect students from federal overreach that seems to come and go with each election cycle.
In 2016 the Obama Administration issued federal “guidelines” directing every public school in America — including schools in Arkansas — to let biological males use girls’ locker rooms, showers, bathrooms, and similar facilities at school. The Trump Administration rescinded those federal policies in 2018, which gave schools a brief reprieve, but the Biden Administration moved to reinstate the policies shortly after the 2020 election.
Since his inauguration last year, President Trump has signed a series of executive orders addressing issues like this one, but a future president could repeal those executive orders.
State laws can help clarify how public schools protect student privacy in the face of changing federal policy. They also prevent school officials from jeopardizing student privacy.
It’s good to see policymakers in Kansas taking steps to protect physical privacy and safety in their state.
Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.





