Kansas governor vetoes controversial transgender bathroom bill citing wide-ranging consequences

Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed SB 244, an anti-trans bathroom bill that would require people to use restrooms matching their birth sex and impose fines on governments and escalating penalties on individuals; she warned the measure would cause numerous consequences, like restricting visits to shared rooms in nursing homes and dorms, and criticized the rushed process that cut out public input. With Republicans holding majorities, lawmakers could override the veto, while opponents and civil-rights groups argued the bill targets transgender Kansans and could burden local governments.