Funeral privacy bill passes House committee Rep. Raj Goyle testifies in support of HB 2970, expects swift approval on House floor Rep. Raj Goyle, D-Wichita, testified today before the House Federal and State Affairs Committee in support of House Bill 2970, a revised version of the 2007 Kansas Funeral Privacy Act.

Last week, the Kansas Supreme Court ruled the judicial trigger provision of the Kansas Funeral Privacy Act unconstitutional. This ruling consequently struck down the law, but the Court made no findings regarding substantive provisions of the statute. As co-sponsor of the 2007 legislation with Rep. Jeff Whitham, R-Garden City, Goyle took immediate action to remedy the technicality.

“We are pleased that we are one step closer to providing Kansas families protection from hateful protests as they mourn the passing of their loved ones,” said Goyle. “I expect swift passage on the House floor in the coming days.”

House Bill 2970 removes the judicial trigger from the Kansas Funeral Privacy Act, which includes the establishment of a 150-foot buffer zone around funerals to prevent protestors from engaging in public demonstration.

The House Federal and State Affairs Committee approved House Bill 2970 on a unanimous voice vote. It will now advance to the House floor for consideration.