Kansas proposal would offer pregnancy and parenting support

The proposal would have the state treasurer contract with eligible nonprofits to provide program services. Services would include pregnancy and parenting information and help with health care, counseling, benefits, jobs, and adoption. Contractors would offer them by phone or live audio or video and could also meet participants in person. Contractors would have to be nonprofits registered and in good standing in Kansas; abortion providers and their affiliates could not qualify. The state could distribute program money only under appropriation acts. Without an appropriation, services could be delayed. The proposal says it would take effect after publication in the statute book.

The proposal would limit who could join the program and how long participants could receive support. These rules would apply to people accepted into the proposed program. A participant would have to be a Kansas resident and a biological parent of an unborn child, an adoptive parent of a child under one year old, or a parent of someone under 18 who is also the biological parent of an unborn child. The support period would begin after acceptance and depend on the pregnancy outcome.

The proposal would require contractors to report on services and referrals and would restrict how the state uses participant information. Contractors would report to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment about participants, services, referrals, and certain pregnancy and birth outcomes. The secretary could use the information only for statistics and could not disclose it in a way that identifies a participant. These confidentiality rules would expire July 1, 2030, unless the legislature reviewed and reenacted them before then. Monthly and six-month reports would be required while contractors provided program services. The confidentiality rules would expire July 1, 2030, unless reenacted earlier.

The proposal would bar the treasurer from requiring contractors or their staff to give up certain rights or act against a conscientious objection. These provisions would apply to program contractors and their employees or agents. The proposal would also allow contractors to continue religious or sectarian services funded by other sources.