The Kansas Legislature overrode Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto on Wednesday, enacting a law that requires individuals to use public restrooms and locker rooms in government buildings based on biological sex.
House Substitute for Senate Bill 244 takes effect immediately after filing with the Kansas Secretary of State’s office.
The House voted 87-37 to override the veto. Republican Rep. Mark Schreiber joined Democrats in opposing the bill.
The law requires government buildings to designate multiple-occupancy restrooms, locker rooms, and changing areas for single-sex use. It also requires driver’s licenses and birth certificates to reflect a person’s biological sex and invalidates previously issued documents that do not.
Supporters said the measure protects privacy and safety in public facilities.
“Our young women deserve to have restrooms and locker rooms where they can undress without men in the room. This bill protects girls and women, the ones feminists used to claim to stand for,” said Rep. Carolyn Caiharr, R-Edwardsville.
Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins, R-Wichita, defended the override.
“While the governor fearmongers and muddies the water with her misleading veto message, our position remains steady: This isn’t about scoring political points, but doing what’s right for women and girls across our communities,” he said. “Kansans expect clarity, not confusion.”
Kelly criticized the legislation after lawmakers overrode her veto.
“It is nothing short of ridiculous that the Legislature is forcing the entire state, every city and town, every school district, every public university to spend taxpayer money on a manufactured problem,” she said. “Kansans elected them to focus on education, job creation, housing, and grocery costs.”
Kansas joins other states that have enacted similar laws regulating public facilities based on biological sex. In September 2025, Gov. Greg Abbott signed a Texas law requiring public restrooms in government buildings to designate access based on biological sex, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
SB 244 takes effect immediately.