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Kansas House moves abortion survey bill; draws erectile dysfunction, vasectomy amendments • Kansas Reflector

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Kansas House moves abortion survey bill; draws erectile dysfunction, vasectomy amendments • Kansas Reflector


TOPEKA — The Kansas House plowed through hours of debate before advancing legislation Wednesday doubling the frequency of state health agency statistical reports on abortion and requiring more than a dozen questions be added to surveys of females contemplating termination of a pregnancy.

The dialogue about House Bill 2749 was interrupted by rare discussions about public health merits to surveying men to determine the frequency and reasoning behind decisions to undergo a vasectomy birth control procedure or to better understand prevalence of individuals seeking medical care for erectile dysfunction.

Republicans supporting the bill requiring the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to compile twice-a-year reports, weren’t thrilled with the amendments on erectile dysfunction and vasectomies. Democrats proposed both to illustrate what they believed were increasingly intrusive questions of women on the abortion survey.

GOP House members argued biannual reports on abortion would help guide the Legislature’s decisions on serving interests of pregnant women. Democrats in the House claimed the supplemental reporting would be used by anti-abortion forces interested in finding a way to ban abortion in Kansas.

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“This bill was not taken lightly,” said Rep. Brenda Landwehr, a Wichita Republican and chair of the House Health and Human Services Committee. “We just want to have more information. Make sure we’re making the right decision for these women.”

In August 2022, Kansas voters overwhelmingly rejected a proposed amendment to the Kansas Constitution that would nullify a decision of the Kansas Supreme Court that declared the state’s Bill of Rights contained a fundamental right to bodily autonomy that extended to termination of a pregnancy. Anti-abortion organizations, including bill-sponsor Kansans for Life, responded the past two years with a collection of bills aimed at deterring abortion in the state. That lobbying activity occurred while Kansas became a magnet for women who sought a legal abortion but lived in states that essentially banned the procedure.

Currently, KDHE has responsibility for preparing an annual summary of abortions in Kansas. The latest report issued in June 2023 covered the 2022 calendar year. It indicated Kansas had 12,318 abortions that year, with 3,842 or 31.2% performed on Kansas residents. The report said 83.1% were unmarried, 59.6% were at less than nine weeks gestation and 99% reported they weren’t subjected to physical, mental or emotional abuse.

 

Rep. Brenda Landwehr, R-Wichita, urged House colleagues to support expansion of a Kansas Department of Health and Environment survey of females seeking abortions and to require the state to issue results twice annually. The House is expected to vote Thursday on House Bill 2749. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)

 

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‘Invasive, stigmatizing’

Under the House bill advanced to final action on Thursday, the report would be published twice annually and would contain results of questions about why patients sought an abortion. The patients wouldn’t be required to answer, but supporters of the legislation said they needed insight into the following: Does the patient believe she has enough children? Is the patient unable to afford a child? Is the patient’s husband or partner abusive? Does the patient lack family support to raise a child? Is the pregnancy the result of rape or incest? Does the pregnancy threaten the patient’s physical or mental health? Is the abortion sought because the child would have a disability?

Landwehr’s committee removed from the list of questions inquiries tied to whether pregnancy interfered with the patient’s career, whether the patient was mature enough to raise a child and whether the abortion was sought to prevent people from knowing the female was sexually active.

The new questions contained in the bill would be coupled with inquiries on previous KDHE surveys regarding patient age, marital status, residency, race, education level, domestic violence as well as the method of abortion.

Rep. Lindsay Vaughn, an Overland Park Democrat, said advocates of the bill suggested the motivation was to gather information useful in shaping public policy for the behalf of women. In reality, she said, the objective was to collect “invasive data with the ultimate purpose of eliminating abortion in Kansas” while also “stigmatizing and potentially retraumatizing” women seeking abortion health services.

“In truth,” Vaughn said, “this bill is not about innocuous data collection. Patients seeking any other form of necessary health care would never be asked such intrusive and personal questions to justify why they are seeking that care. This bill is about targeting women who make the difficult and extremely personal decision to get an abortion.”

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On the contrary, said Coffeyville GOP Rep. Ron Bryce. He said that as a practicing physician — he’s licensed in Texas, not Kansas — all sorts of questions were required to be asked of patients. He said the list included drug use, personal safety, guns in the home, contraception, sexual partners and inquiries about financial stress and educational attainment. The objective of those questions was to gather facts rather than make assumptions, he said.

“There is absolutely nothing in this bill that is different or intrusive compared to the status quo,” said Bryce, who introduced the bill on behalf of Kansans for Life. “These questions do serve a purpose. They provide data on the underlying factors that drive young women into these difficult situations.”

Rep. Susan Ruiz, a Democrat from Kansas City, said she objected to expansion of a survey of females seeking abortion services in Kansas because the motivation was to gather information to press for further restriction or elimination of abortion in the state (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)
Rep. Susan Ruiz, a Democrat from Kansas City, said she objected to expansion of the state government’s survey of females seeking abortion services in Kansas. She alleged motivation for the bill was to gather information useful in a campaign to restrict or eliminate abortion in the state. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)

 

The vasectomy question

Rep. Melissa Oropeza, a Democrat from Kansas City, Kansas, said she was convinced the scope of questions to be raised with women seeking an abortion was inhumane. She said the extensive line of inquiry in the bill resembled a university or government research project that neglected to proactively secure informed consent of patients.

She said it occurred to her the bill was another gender-specific intrusion into relationships between doctor and patient. Along that line, she said it could be useful for the state of Kansas to gather information about incidence of vasectomies in wake of the U.S. Supreme Court striking down the landmark Roe v. Wade decision guaranteeing abortion rights throughout the country.

“I agree there are things we do need to know about reproductive care,” Oropeza said.

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Her amendment tied to reasons behind a potential rise in vasectomies was determined by a House panel to not be germane to a bill mandating an abortion survey of Kansans.

Rep. Stephanie Sawyer Clayton, D-Overland Park, offered an amendment requiring KDHE to collected from physicians and clinics information on the sexual health of Kansas men seeking professional health care for erectile dysfunction. In particular, her amendment would delve into questions about erosion of self-confidence among people experiencing erectile dysfunction and what the patients considered the reasons for seeking treatment.

“I do think erectile dysfunction is a scourge on the state of Kansas,” Sawyer Clayton said. “I think it causes issues when it comes to our very important birth rate.”

Landwehr, chair of the House health committee, said Sawyer Clayton’s amendment was not suitable for an abortion regulation bill and had nothing to do with male body parts. The Sawyer Clayton amendment was withdrawn before it could be put to a vote in the House.

The bill was endorsed by Kansans for Life, Alliance Defending Freedom, Kansas Family Voice and the Kansas Catholic Conference. Objections were raised by Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes, Trust Women Foundation, Loud Light Civic Action and the Mainstream Coalition.

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Tyler Reddick needs OT at Kansas to claim fifth win of NASCAR season

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Tyler Reddick needs OT at Kansas to claim fifth win of NASCAR season


It’s still more than a week until May, but Tyler Reddick already has racked up a fistful of wins.

The 23XI Racing hotshoe passed Kyle Larson in overtime to win the NASCAR Cup Series’ AdventHealth 400 on Sunday afternoon in Kansas City, Kansas, for his fifth victory in nine races.

After Cody Ware spun while leader Denny Hamlin and second-place Reddick were coming to the white flag for the race’s only caution for cause, the field pitted to set up a green-white-checker finish in overtime at Kansas Speedway.

From third, Larson charged past Hamlin on the restart to claim the lead. But second-place Reddick used his No. 45 Toyota to fly by Larson’s No. 5 Chevrolet in Turn 1 after the white flag.

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He held on to beat the Hendrick Motorsports driver by 0.118 seconds for his 13th career win and become the first driver since Dale Earnhardt in 1987 to claim five of a season’s first nine races.

Reddick also won for the fourth time in a row when being the polesitter — a run that began Feb. 22 in Atlanta and included victories at Circuit of The Americas and Darlington.

Reddick appeared doomed with a few laps left when he screamed over the radio that he was out of gas, which allowed Hamlin to make what appeared to be the winning pass for the lead.

However, Ware’s spin sent the cars to pit road one last time.

“Just really blessed with the late caution,” said Reddick, who led only 10 laps and spun a Toyota stablemate in overtime’s frantic finish. “Not thrilled that I got Christopher Bell. … These late-race restarts get really crazy. Obviously, I had a run on the 5, and I was just shocked to get to his inside.”

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Larson’s car would not turn in the corners.

“It all worked out great, but I was plowing in (Turns) 3 and 4,” said Larson, the race’s defending winner who became the track’s all-time lap leader — he paced 78 of them — but had his winless streak stretch to 33 races. “Reddick was really good there (at the end).”

Chase Briscoe, Hamlin and Bubba Wallace completed the first five finishers.

A Toyota won for the sixth time in the past 11 races at the Midwest speedway.

Polesitter Reddick, Hamlin and Briscoe showed Toyota supremacy early with the first two drivers swapping the lead. Then Hamlin stormed away to a 1.25-second lead 15 circuits into the 267-lap race.

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Hamlin lapped up to the 21st-place car — Todd Gilliland — as drivers such as Joey Logano, Kyle Busch and Ross Chastain all were put a lap down. Larson was able to pass Reddick, but Hamlin claimed the 80-lap Stage 1 over Larson followed by Reddick, Ty Gibbs and Christopher Bell.

In the second segment, Larson began to assert himself. He immediately snatched the point from Hamlin and led until Lap 125 when he, Hamlin, Chase Elliott and Reddick pitted to split Stage 2’s 85 laps.

The completion of the second stage also was rather tame. Larson claimed the segment followed by Hamlin, Reddick, Elliot and Bell as the only problems were drivers having minor setbacks with tires.

The only cautions through the first two stages were for stage-breaks, not incidents.

On Lap 175 shortly after the restart for the run to the race’s end, Bell maneuvered by Hamlin for the lead. Wallace and Reddick rounded out a four-car Camry train with six of the top nine being Toyotas.

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Running third to leader Bell and Reddick, Hamlin and Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Briscoe began the cycle of pits with 52 laps remaining to set up the finish while Reddick and Bell waited five more circuits for service.



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Kansas Governor signs Caleb’s Law, targeting online sextortion of minors

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Kansas Governor signs Caleb’s Law, targeting online sextortion of minors


KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – Kansas Governor Laura Kelly has signed Caleb’s Law, strengthening penalties for online sexual extortion targeting children.

Governor Kelly says the law is named after Caleb Moore, a 14-year-old from El Dorado, who died by suicide after becoming a victim of an online sextortion scheme.

What the Law Does

Caleb’s Law expands Kansas’s existing sexual extortion statute in three key ways:

  • Broadens the definition of sexual extortion to include threats involving explicit images – including AI-generated or digitally altered images
  • Increase criminal penalties when an adult offender targets a minor or a dependent adult
  • Creates two felony offenses: aggravated sexual extortion causing great bodily harm and aggravated sexual extortion causing death

Under the new law, sexual extortion involving a minor or dependent adult is elevated from a severity level 7 to a severity level 6 person felony for coercive intent cases.

The legislation also elevates a level 4 to a level 3 person felony when the victim is caused to produce or distribute sexual content.

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Statewide Education Requirements

House Bill 2537 also directs the Kansas Attorney General to lead a statewide public education effort on sextortion. The AG’s office will:

  • Prepare and distribute educational materials for schools, students, parents and the public
  • Collaborate with the Kansas State Board of Education and law enforcement agencies
  • File an annual report beginning July 1, 2027, to the Governor, legislative leadership and the State Board of Education on implementation progress
FILE – Kansas Statehouse(Phil Anderson)

The Attorney General’s Office estimates the education effort will require two new positions at a cost of around $213,900 from the State General Fund, rising to an estimated $20,300 in 2028.

In Their Own Words

Gov. Kelly said the law reflects the state’s commitment to keeping pace with digital threats facing children.

“Protecting Kansas children means staying ahead of the evolving threats they face, especially in an increasingly digital world where exploitation can happen in an instant,” she said. “By prioritizing education and awareness, Caleb’s Law ensures that young people, families, and educators have the tools to recognize sexual extortion and seek help before it’s too late. By signing this bill, we’re honoring Caleb’s life by shining a light on this growing danger and taking meaningful action to prevent future tragedies.”

Rep. Bob Lewis (R-Garden City), who introduced the bill, added that it earned unanimous bipartisan support in both chambers.

“Our kids are our future and protecting them from online predators, who are increasingly dangerous and sophisticated, must be a top legislative priority,” he stated. “I’m therefore pleased that the governor is signing Caleb’s Law, which I introduced and received unanimous, bipartisan support in both legislative chambers. What happened to Caleb is tragic and must be stopped.”

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Rep. Dan Osman (D-Overland Park) credited Caleb Moore’s family for pushing the legislation forward.

“Sexual extortion in any form should never be tolerated, but children under the age of 18 are particularly vulnerable,” he added.

The Kansas Attorney General’s Office also voiced strong support, noting the law addresses one of the state’s most urgent child safety threats.

Kansas State Capitol, Topeka, Kan.
Kansas State Capitol, Topeka, Kan.(Isaac Deer/WIBW)

“HB 2537 is a critical measure to protect Kansans from sexual exploitation and ensure public awareness and education on this growing threat,” said Sarah Hortenstine, Division Chief of Youth Services, Kansas Office of the Attorney General.

Legislative Timeline

Date Action
Jan. 23 Bill introduced, referred to House Committee on Judiciary
Feb. 5 House committee hearing held
Feb. 16 Committee recommends passage
Feb. 18 House passes bill unanimously
Feb. 25 Referred to Senate Committee on Judiciary
March 17 Senate committee hearing held
March 18 Senate committee recommends passage
March 19 Senate passes bill unanimously

The bill received unanimous, bipartisan support in both chambers – with no recorded opposition.

Background: What Is Sextortion?

Officials noted that sextortion is a form of online exploitation in which offenders coerce victims – often minors – into producing sexual images.

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Those bad actors then use the images to demand more content, money, or sexual acts, according to investigators.

State leaders said cases can escalate rapidly, and the resulting trauma has led to severe psychological harm and, in some cases, suicide.

If you or someone you know needs help, contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678.

For mental health support, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Copyright 2026 KCTV. All rights reserved.

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Kansas Losing Momentum With Key Transfer Target After New Visits

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Kansas Losing Momentum With Key Transfer Target After New Visits


Since losing Flory Bidunga and Bryson Tiller in the transfer portal, Bill Self has been tasked with rebuilding his frontcourt from the 2025-26 campaign. While he has landed former Utah forward Keanu Dawes to succeed Tiller at the four, the Jayhawks’ roster still lacks a true center to replace Louisville commit Bidunga.

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One player KU had hoped to add was Cincinnati transfer Moustapha Thiam, who tormented the Jayhawks when the two schools met this past February. However, the chances of him committing to play in Lawrence appear to be dwindling by the day.

The Senegal native recently wrapped up a trip to St. John’s and is set to visit Ann Arbor on Monday to meet with the defending champions, Michigan.

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Kansas was initially supposed to be one of the top schools involved in Thiam’s recruitment, but that hasn’t necessarily been the case. The Jayhawks have been relatively quiet so far and haven’t gained much traction toward securing an official visit.

Not only is Michigan a recruiting powerhouse coming off a national title win under second-year head coach Dusty May, but it also boasts one of the largest NIL collectives in the NCAA. If the Wolverines are seriously pursuing Thiam, it likely means he will come at a hefty price tag.

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KU is expected to increase the NIL budget this year to handle its roster deficiencies from the past few seasons. Regardless, the program must be strategic with its spending, especially with the decision of 2026 prospect Tyran Stokes still looming.

Who Are Kansas’ Alternatives to Moustapha Thiam?

If the Jayhawks are unable to land Thiam, there are a few alternatives on the open market. Those options may not carry the same hype as the 7-foot-2 phenom, who is ranked as the No. 3 center in 247 Sports’ transfer rankings, but they could still provide solid production nonetheless.

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One name to watch is Anton Bonke, another towering big man who has spent time at Providence and most recently Charlotte. He visited KU’s campus earlier this week alongside Dawes and remains a viable option.

Another possible solution could come from within if Paul Mbiya decides to withdraw from the transfer portal and return to Kansas. The incoming sophomore flashed his potential during the postseason and is reportedly open to rejoining the program.

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Finally, FC Barcelona center Sayon Keita is an international prospect who could make his college decision within the next month or two. He took an official visit to Kansas last July.

Whoever ultimately replaces Bidunga, Self will need to act quickly before the remaining top targets come off the board. Bringing back Mbiya and adding a transfer would be a strong start.

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