ACLU of Kansas condemns legislature’s override of governor veto on healthcare ban
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, February 19, 2025
CONTACT: Esmie Tseng, ACLU of Kansas, [email protected], 913-484-6270
TOPEKA, KAN. - By a vote of 31-9 in the Senate and 84-35 in the House on Tuesday, the Kansas Legislature overturned Governor Kelly’s veto of SB 63 and enacted the social and medical gender-affirming care ban for Kansas youth.
In response, Micah Kubic, ACLU of Kansas Executive Director, shared the following:
““Last year, Kansas families, state employees, medical providers, and mental health practitioners made their concerns about this extreme bill clear. At least some members of the legislature listened and responded accordingly to prevent it from passing.
But extremist politicians have continued their blatant disregard for the warnings of countless professionals and seek to intrude on families’ ability to make life-saving healthcare decisions for themselves. Again, these politicians cast a wide net in their assault: on the rights of transgender minors, on their families, and also on state employees, medical providers, and mental health practitioners.
We remain unconvinced that this legislature understands the real concerns and constitutional protections afforded to everyday Kansans, and their rush to push this government intrusion through demonstrates it all the more. This was an extremist, shameful attack on Kansans.”
A number of statewide advocacy groups recently came together with the Campaign for Southern Equality in direct response to SB 63, and the newly launched program in Kansas aims at harm-reduction to help Kansas families find access to care in states without healthcare bans.
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About the ACLU of Kansas: The ACLU of Kansas is the statewide affiliate of the national American Civil Liberties Union. The ACLU of Kansas is dedicated to preserving and advancing the civil rights and legal freedoms guaranteed by the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights. For more information, visit our website at www.aclukansas.org.
