Kansas Republicans have overridden Democrat Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto of Senate Bill 244, enacting a measure that requires individuals to use restrooms and changing facilities in government buildings based on biological sex rather than gender identity.

The Kansas Senate voted 31-9 on Tuesday to override the veto, followed by an 87-37 vote in the House on Wednesday, according to The Topeka Capital-Journal. The successful override makes SB 244 the second law enacted during the 2026 legislative session and the first to take effect.

Senate President Ty Masterson praised the outcome, saying lawmakers had “restored sanity.” He argued that Kelly’s veto would have required women and girls to share private spaces with biological males in public facilities.

“Kansas Democrats are for They/Them,” Masterson said in a statement. “I will continue to fight for you, and protect women and girls across our state.”

Under the new law, public schools, universities, and other government buildings must designate restrooms, locker rooms, and similar facilities based on biological sex. The bill also applies to other areas where individuals may be in a state of undress. Violations can carry penalties, including potential $1,000 civil damages and criminal charges for repeat offenses.

The measure includes exceptions, such as allowing parents or caregivers to accompany children under age 9 into opposite-sex restrooms and permitting coaches to enter opposite-sex locker rooms if individuals are clothed. It also prohibits Kansas residents from changing the sex marker on state-issued driver’s licenses and birth certificates.

Gov. Kelly defended her veto, calling the legislation “poorly drafted” and warning it would have unintended consequences beyond bathroom access. She argued it could interfere with hospital visits, nursing home access, dormitory visitation, and parental supervision in public restrooms.

Republican state Sen. Kellie Warren responded that those scenarios were not covered by the bill, stating the law specifically addresses “restrooms, locker rooms, changing rooms, shower rooms, or other rooms that are specifically designed or designated by the government for people to change and be in a state of undress.”

Republican state Rep. Susan Humphries described Kelly’s veto message as “full of red herrings” and said it failed to address the core purpose of the legislation.

The override continues a pattern of Republican-led action in Kansas on gender-related policy. In 2025, lawmakers overrode another Kelly veto to pass a ban on sex-change drugs for minors, a law that is currently being challenged in state court.