KS Senate votes to require written parental consent if students wish to be in protest

Lawrence High School students raised their voices for a protest against ICE. Other Lawrence schools participated in the direct action as well. (Photo by Maya Smith for Kansas Reflector)

By: NICOLAS FIERRO

Salina Post

Kansas Senate voted this week to require written parental consent for any students who want to participate in school protests and imposing penalties on districts involved in any organization of it.

This vote occurred at the State Capitol on Tuesday and just a day later, Central High School students participated in an anti-ICE walkout during school hours, which was not endorsed by USD 305.

Two Salina Central students holding up signs during protest outside school grounds on March 4, 2026. Photo by Nicolas Fierro

Read more about the walkout here.

The Senate passed the amendment 21-18, with the majority comprised exclusively of GOP senators. The amendment was inserted into Senate Bill 315, and the Kansas State Board of Education would assume responsibility for handling all disputes about reports of walkout or protest misconduct by students, teachers or administrators.

Fines would also take place if school staff or administrators were apart of any organization of a student protest.

Those fines to the school district would range more than $100,000 every single day that walkout occurs.

The House must accept the amendment before it is executed.