State of Kansas Archives: on Families & Children
Chad Taylor:
Successfully prosecuted case on child sexual exploitation
Shawnee County District Attorney Chad Taylor announces that Jason Hachmeister was sentenced to 86 months in prison today after having been previously convicted by a
Shawnee County jury of 105 counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Child, all level 5 person felonies.
The sentence imposed by District Court Judge Evelyn Wilson was the maximum permitted under Kansas law. Judge Wilson also ordered lifetime post release supervision and lifetime registration as following his release from prison.
Mr. Taylor credits the Topeka Police Department for their thorough and professional investigation of this matter.
Source: D.A. office press release: 2014 Kansas Senate race
Feb 7, 2014
Dave Lindstrom:
Raise cap for tax free accounts for dependent care
The family unit is among the most important institutions that we, as a society, should seek to support. Paid Family Leave provides much-needed security for families and impacts every Kansan. Whether young or old, all levels of society can feel the
impact, including demands placed on parents, grandparents and other guardians and caregivers. Our society is made stronger when our families are stronger. I stand with Donald Trump and Ivanka Trump on calling for Paid Family Leave.
One way we can bring relief to families and help employers find top talent is to increase the Flexible Spending Accounts cap for Dependent Care. This allows families to set aside part of their paycheck tax-free to pay for daycare.
Right now, annual Dependent Care contributions are capped at $5,000 dollars per family, regardless of the number of children that need care. That doesn't even cover half of the average cost for one child.
Source: 2020 Kansas Senate campaign website LindstromForSenate.com
May 31, 2020
Derek Schmidt:
Combat the serious problem of elder abuse
Elder abuse is becoming a focus of the nation's state attorneys general for the next year. Abuse numbers are staggering for the problem, which is often in the shadows, warned Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt, the new president of the National
Association of Attorneys General (NAAG).He pointed to estimates that one out of every 10 people 65 and over and living at home will become an abuse victim. "As the population age 65 and older continues to grow, it is clear that we all need to do more
to combat this serious problem," Schmidt said in a press release. "My hope is that when this year is ended, we have identified some of the best ideas from around the country and made them readily available to adapt for other states."
His push for
the state law enforcement chiefs will cumulate in a two-day NAAG conference on the issue next April. Schmidt, a Republican, has put together a bipartisan elder abuse working group for the association that includes attorney generals Mark Brnovich (R-AZ).
Source: Financial Adviser on 2022 Kansas Gubernatorial race
Aug 18, 2017
Jean Carnahan:
Workplace child-care & more commitment to families
Jean Carnahan made speeches several days a week on her husband's Senate campaign trail and worked on state legislation for better health care and education. She advocated the Equal Rights Amendment, gun control, & workplace child-care centers.
Jean Carnahan declined to be interviewed for this article, but in a campaign commercial she said she shared her husband's commitment to families, children and the elderly.
Source: Kevin Murphy, The Kansas City Star
Nov 4, 2000
Jeff Colyer:
Safe and professional workplace, free from sexual harassment
I expect a safe and professional workplace--free from sexual harassment. To anyone here that has experienced these evils, I want you to know that you've been heard. You have value and you have my respect. Harassment in any form, at any time,
in any place, will not be tolerated in my Administration.I signed my first Executive Order which first requires all Cabinet Agencies to update their sexual harassment prevention policies.
Every employee, every intern, every contractor shall receive the material.
Second, it requires every state employee, every manager, even every intern to undergo sexual harassment prevention training. This will happen annually.
Third, allegations of sexual harassment will be investigated promptly and appropriate disciplinary action shall be taken swiftly.
Source: 2018 Kansas Inauguration/State of the State speech
Feb 8, 2018
Jeff Colyer:
More child welfare staff; more family programs
One need only pick up a newspaper to see examples of the extreme evil that exists in this world. Unfortunately, government will never be capable of preventing all these evils. But, we can and we must do better. To give children and families around the
state the help they need, [we need a] top-to-bottom review of our state's child welfare system. We need funding to achieve the following goals:- hire additional child welfare field staff,
- establish emergency placement options so there are no
more kids sleeping in offices,
- hire additional investigative staff to track down missing foster children,
- and invest in new community based family preservation and family strengthening programs.
I know for a fact that each
and every person in this room cares deeply about the plight of abused children in our state. Please join me as we fight for the most vulnerable children in our state.
Source: 2018 Kansas Inauguration/State of the State speech
Feb 8, 2018
Jeff Colyer:
Favors religious exemption for gay adoption
Legislative Summary: SB 284: The bill creates the Adoption Protection Act, which states no child placement agency (CPA) shall be required to participate in any placement of a child for foster care or adoption when the proposed placement of
such child violates such CPA's sincerely held religious beliefs.Analysis by KCUR: The Legislature has approved a measure allowing faith-based adoption and foster care agencies to be reimbursed for placement services, even if they turn
away prospective parents who don't fit their religious beliefs. Opponents argued the religious protections would open the door to state-sponsored discrimination, particularly against same-sex couples, but also single people and minorities.
Legislative Outcome: Passed House 63-58-4 on May/3/18; Passed Senate 24-15-1 on May/3/18; Signed by Governor Jeff Colyer on May/18/18
Source: KCUR 89.3 FM analysis of Kansas SB 284 voting records
May 18, 2018
Kris Kobach:
Gay marriage makes it worse for traditional families
He then brings up the Supreme Court ruling legalizing same-sex marriage and
warns, "it's going to get worse, not better, for those of us who believe in the traditional family."
Source: Wichita Eagle on 2018 Kansas gubernatorial race
Sep 26, 2015
Laura Kelly:
Must fix broken foster care system
The number of children in foster care has skyrocketed--up 45% since 2011. We've seen the programs overwhelmed by the sheer numbers in need. And the caseloads of dedicated social workers are absurdly high. My budget provides funding for the Families
First Prevention Services Act. It will inject millions into efforts that strengthen vulnerable families & prevent children from entering the foster care system. My budget includes funding to hire more, qualified social workers & reduce their caseloads.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to Kansas legislature
Jan 16, 2019
Laura Kelly:
Opposes religious exemption for gay adoption
Legislative Summary: SB 284: The bill creates the Adoption Protection Act, which states no child placement agency (CPA) shall be required to participate in any placement of a child for foster care or adoption when the proposed placement of
such child violates such CPA's sincerely held religious beliefs.Analysis by KCUR: The Legislature has approved a measure allowing faith-based adoption and foster care agencies to be reimbursed for placement services, even if they turn
away prospective parents who don't fit their religious beliefs. Opponents argued the religious protections would open the door to state-sponsored discrimination, particularly against same-sex couples, but also single people and minorities.
Legislative Outcome: Passed House 63-58-4 on May/3/18; Passed Senate 24-15-1 on May/3/18; State Sen. Laura Kelly voted NO; Signed by Governor Jeff Colyer on May/18/18
Source: KCUR 89.3 FM analysis of Kansas SB 284 voting records
May 3, 2018
Laura Kelly:
Reformed foster care, focused on kinship care
We have decreased the number of children in foster care by over 15%. That started with the work done by Secretary Laura Howard and her team. They studied the mistakes of the past and took an intentional approach, to move the state away from a child
welfare system and toward a child and family well-being system. Secretary Howard directed the agency to focus on things like kinship care, where a child is placed with a family member or a close family friend, instead of being placed in the system.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to the Kansas legislature
Jan 11, 2022
Patrick Wiesner:
Ancestors immigrated to Kansas; kids raised in Kansas
Patrick lives in Lawrence. He grew up on a farm north of Ellis. In the 1870s, his ancestors immigrated to Kansas from Germany and Russia. He grew up with seven brothers and sisters.All of Patrick's education came from Kansas schools:
St. Mary's Grade School, and Ellis High School. Patrick received a Master of Business Administration from Fort Hays State University; and a law degree from the University of Kansas.
Patrick's two children are college graduates.
His son, Frank, graduated with a computer science degree from Wichita State University. His daughter, Stephanie, graduated with a finance degree from Clemson University.
His children were raised in Lawrence. Both attended Saint John's Grade School, Southwest Junior High, and Lawrence High School.
Source: 2016 Kansas Senate campaign website WiesnerForSenate.com
Apr 1, 2016
Susan Wagle:
Favors religious exemption for gay adoption
Legislative Summary: SB 284: The bill creates the Adoption Protection Act, which states no child placement agency (CPA) shall be required to participate in any placement of a child for foster care or adoption when the proposed placement of
such child violates such CPA's sincerely held religious beliefs.Analysis by KCUR: The Legislature has approved a measure allowing faith-based adoption and foster care agencies to be reimbursed for placement services, even if they turn
away prospective parents who don't fit their religious beliefs. Opponents argued the religious protections would open the door to state-sponsored discrimination, particularly against same-sex couples, but also single people and minorities.
Legislative Outcome: Passed House 63-58-4 on May/3/18; Passed Senate 24-15-1 on May/3/18; State Sen. Susan Wagle voted YES; Signed by Governor Jeff Colyer on May/18/18
Source: KCUR 89.3 FM analysis of Kansas SB 284 voting records
May 3, 2018
Laura Kelly:
Shortage of child care is stressful; slows down our economy
I'll be proposing the largest single-year investment ever made in our state's early childhood system. A large part of that investment will go toward solving our state's child care shortage. Over half of Kansas families in search of child care cannot
find an open slot--forcing many parents to quit their jobs. And the shortages are worst in our rural areas. That's bad for our children, stressful for our parents, and, when every business is desperate for workers, it slows down our economy.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to Kansas legislature
Jan 10, 2024
Laura Kelly:
Put functions of child care agencies under one roof
Right now, early childhood services are siloed in four different state agencies. If a family is searching for care for a newborn, that family must navigate among three different agencies to figure out which program is the right fit. Thankfully,
there's a solution available: Let's put the functions of these agencies under one roof--the Office of Early Childhood. Let's offer a one-stop-shop for young families, for child care providers, and for businesses to access early childhood services.
Source: 2025 State of the State Address to the Kansas legislature
Jan 15, 2025
Laura Kelly:
Vetoed adoption bill relating to religious beliefs
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly vetoed a bill related to religious beliefs and children's welfare. According to the Office of the Kansas Governor, Gov. Kelly vetoed House Bill 2311, which would prohibit the secretary from adopting and enforcing
policies for placement, custody and appointment of a custodian that may conflict with sincerely held religious or moral beliefs regarding sexual orientation or gender identity and creating a right of action for violations.
Source: WIBW TV-13 on 2026 Kansas Gubernatorial race
Apr 7, 2025
Page last updated: Mar 14, 2026