National Resource Center

National Resource Center for Supported Decision Making
Menu

Kansas

Kansas

Overview

Kansas has enacted some legislation recognizing supported decision-making in specific contexts, such as organ transplantation. However, it has not yet enacted legislation broadly recognizing supported decision-making agreements. Supported decision-making legislation is pending as of 2023. We have not located any case law specifically recognizing supported decision-making, but it may still be required as a less restrictive alternative to guardianship

Guardianship Laws

Kan. Stat. Ann. §§ 59-3051 to -3097; 74-9601 to -9606

Supported Decision-Making

Supported Decision-Making Statute

State Legislation

  • S.B. 343 Reg. Sess. 2021-2022 (Kan. 2022)
    • Description: Would prohibit blindness from being a determinant factor for denial or restriction of legal custody, residency, or parenting time, and broadly covers several terms in disability law, including defining “supported decision-making services” as an aid or service that is used to provide information in a format that is easily understandable and accessible to individuals with cognitive, neurological, developmental or intellectual disabilities.
    • Status: Enrolled on 04/28/2022.
  • H.B. 2034, 89th Leg., Reg. Sess. (Kan. 2019)
    • Description: Original bill would have codified supported decision-making and recognize supported decision-making agreements. However, the bill signed by the Governor did not include any reference to supported decision-making agreements. Instead, the bill focused on crime and criminal procedure.
    • Status: Signed by Governor, 6/1/2020
  • H.B. 2343, 87th Leg., Reg. Sess. (Kan. 2017)
    • Description: Incorporated SDM services in the medical context of organ transplantation.
    • Status: Enacted 2/12/18
  • H.B. 2250, Reg. Sess. 2023 (Kan. 2023)
    • Description: The Supported Decision-Making Agreements Act would provide a statutory framework for adults who want decision-making assistance.
    • Status: Referred to Committee on Judiciary on 2/1/2023
  • Enacting the supported decision-making agreements act – H.B. 2144
    • 2025 KS H.B. 2144 [kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2144/]
    • Description:Enacts the supported decision-making agreement to provide a statutory framework for adults who want decision-making assistance in an their affairs and amending the crime of mistreatment of a dependent adult or elder person.
    • Status: Proposed Jan. 29, 2025, referred to Committee on Judiciary Jan. 29, 2025
  • 2025 Kansas Laws Ch. 40 (H.B. 2358)
    • 2025 KS H.B. 2358 [kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2358/]
    • Description: Enacts uniform adult guardianship and protective proceedings jurisdiction act and the uniform guardianship, conservatorship, and other protective arrangements act; amends a number of previous acts passed by KS legislature to include definition of supported decision-making and inclusion of SDM in the definition of “less restrictive alternative” to guardianship; requires that less restrictive means be explored as an alternative to guardianship before appointing a guardian.
    • Status: Proposed Feb. 7, 2025 in Committee on Judiciary, approved April 1, 2025
  • H.B. 2345, Reg. Sess. (Kan. 2024)
    • Description: Codifying supported decision-making into a recognized statutory framework.
    • Status: Failed in the House Committee (2024) 
  • H.B. 2250, Reg. Sess. (Kan. 2023)
    • Description: Codifying supported decision-making into a recognized statutory framework.
    • Status: Failed in the House Committee (2024)

Case Law & Court Orders

None found

State Grant Programs

None awarded

Other Resources

Information Last Updated: January 24, 2025

Accessibility Toolbar