Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas Senate Bill SB338

Introduced
1/15/26  

Caption

Including a home school within the definition of private elementary and secondary school and defining home school.

Impact

The passage of SB338 will have significant implications for how educational institutions are categorized in the state. By officially including homeschools under the definition of private schools, it ensures that these educational formats are recognized and must comply with state laws regarding compulsory attendance. Additionally, this legislation may set the stage for future regulatory measures that could address aspects of accountability and record-keeping, as the bill also introduces terms related to pupil records and the responsibilities of what constitutes an 'official custodian.' Consequently, families who choose to homeschool may face new requirements to maintain and manage educational records for their children.

Summary

Senate Bill 338 aims to amend existing laws concerning education within the state by specifically relating to nonaccredited private elementary and secondary schools. The bill broadens the definition of a private elementary or secondary school to incorporate homeschools, thereby providing clarity on the status and regulation of these educational setups. By defining 'home school,' this legislation acknowledges the role of parents or guardians in the education process, aligning it with compulsory school attendance laws. This legislation is particularly relevant as the number of families choosing to homeschool has increased in recent years, thereby necessitating a more structured definition and regulation.

Contention

While proponents of SB338 argue that this bill provides necessary recognition and clarity for homeschooling families, opponents may express concern regarding potential overreach into the homeschooling process. Critics may worry that by formally including homeschools in the statutory definition of private education, it could lead to increased regulation and oversight, which might deter families from choosing this educational path. The balance between ensuring educational oversight while preserving the freedoms associated with homeschooling is likely to be a point of contention as discussions around this bill unfold.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

KS SB2

Eliminating the income limit to qualify for the subtraction modification exempting social security benefits, increasing the income tax credit amount for household and dependent care expenses, establishing the veterans' valor property tax relief act providing for an income tax credit or refund for eligible individuals, citing the increased property tax homestead refund claim section as the homeowners' property tax freeze program, decreasing the normal privilege tax rate, increasing the extent of property tax exemption for residential property from the statewide school levy, decreasing the rate of ad valorem tax imposed by a school district; providing for certain transfers to the state school district finance fund, reducing the state rate of tax on sales of food and food ingredients and modifying the percent credited to the state highway fund from revenue collected.

KS HB2003

Establishing the veterans' valor property tax relief act providing for an income tax credit or refund for eligible individuals, modifying the definition of household income and increasing the appraised value threshold for eligibility of seniors and disabled veterans related to increased property tax claims and citing the section as the homeowners' property tax freeze program, providing property tax exemptions for certain personal property including watercraft, marine equipment, off-road vehicles, motorized bicycles and certain trailers, excluding internal revenue code section 1031 exchange transactions as indicators of fair market value, providing for certain exclusions from the prohibition of paying taxes under protest after a valuation notice appeal and providing four prior years' values on the annual valuation notice.

KS SB1

Modifying income tax rates for individuals, exempting all social security benefits from Kansas income tax, increasing the Kansas standard deduction and the Kansas personal exemption, increasing the income tax credit amount for household and dependent care expenses, decreasing the privilege tax normal tax, excluding internal revenue code section 1031 exchange transactions as indicators of fair market value for property tax valuation purposes, increasing the extent of property tax exemption for residential property from the statewide school levy, providing for certain transfers to the state school district finance fund and abolishing the local ad valorem tax reduction fund and the county and city revenue sharing fund.

KS SR1703

Recognizing November 14, 2024, as Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day.

KS SB8

Exempting the sale of firearms, firearms accessories, ammunition, firearm safes and firearm safety devices from the retatilers' sales tax.

KS SCR1604

Proposing to amend section 1 of article 11 of the constitution of the state of Kansas to limit property tax valuation increases for real property and personal property mobile homes.

KS SB6

Providing a sales tax exemption for sales of electricity to residential premises by municipally owned or operated utilities.

KS HB2002

Expanding medical assistance eligibility and enacting the cutting healthcare costs for all Kansans act.

KS HB2001

Authorizing the secretary of commerce to enter into agreements with major professional sports franchises to establish STAR bond projects for a major professional sports complex, providing for additional revenue sources, expanding the powers and discretion of the secretary and making other changes to the STAR bonds financing act to facilitate such projects, limiting the secretary’s authority to approve such projects to one year unless extended by the legislative coordinating council, authorizing the Kansas development finance authority to issue STAR bonds for such projects, transferring funds under certain circumstances from the state gaming revenues fund to the attracting professional sports to Kansas fund for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, and, if approved by the legislative coordinating council, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026.

KS SB3

Clarifying the procedures and restrictions on accepting a nomination for an elected office.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.