Kan. Stat. Ann. § 44-1001
Title of act; declaration of state policy and purpose.
Operative Text
This act shall be known as the Kansas act against discrimination. It shall be deemed an exercise of the police power of the state for the protection of the public welfare, safety, health and peace of the people of this state. The practice or policy of discrimination against individuals in employment relations, in relation to free and public accommodations, in housing by reason of race, religion, color, sex, disability, national origin or ancestry or in housing by reason of familial status is a matter of concern to the state, since such discrimination threatens not only the rights and privileges of the inhabitants of the state of Kansas but menaces the institutions and foundations of a free democratic state. It is hereby declared to be the policy of the state of Kansas to eliminate and prevent discrimination in all employment relations, to eliminate and prevent discrimination, segregation, or separation in all places of public accommodations covered by this act, and to eliminate and prevent discrimination, segregation or separation in housing. It is also declared to be the policy of this state to assure equal opportunities and encouragement to every citizen regardless of race, religion, color, sex, disability, national origin or ancestry, in securing and holding, without discrimination, employment in any field of work or labor for which a person is properly qualified, to assure equal opportunities to all persons within this state to full and equal public accommodations, and to assure equal opportunities in housing without distinction on account of race, religion, color, sex, disability, familial status, national origin or ancestry. It is further declared that the opportunity to secure and to hold employment, the opportunity for full and equal public accommodations as covered by this act and the opportunity for full and equal housing are civil rights of every citizen. To protect these rights, it is hereby declared to be the purpose of this act to establish and to provide a state commission having power to eliminate and prevent segregation and discrimination, or separation in employment, in all places of public accommodations covered by this act, in housing because of race, religion, color, sex, disability, national origin or ancestry and in housing because of familial status, either by employers, labor organizations, employment agencies, realtors, financial institutions or other persons as hereinafter provided.
Kan. Stat. Ann. § 44-1001 establishes the Kansas Act Against Discrimination, declaring it the official policy of Kansas to eliminate and prevent discrimination in employment, public accommodations, and housing based on race, religion, color, sex, disability, national origin, ancestry, and familial status. The provision frames access to housing, employment, and public accommodations as civil rights belonging to every Kansas citizen. To enforce these rights, the law authorizes a state commission empowered to investigate and prevent discriminatory practices by employers, landlords, realtors, financial institutions, labor organizations, and others.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 44-1001, Kansas has established a clear public policy that housing providers — including landlords, realtors, and financial institutions — must not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, disability, national origin, ancestry, or familial status. Operators who comply with this foundational provision generally apply consistent, documented criteria when screening applicants, setting terms, and managing properties. Because § 44-1001 creates the framework for the entire Kansas Act Against Discrimination, understanding its scope helps property managers recognize which protected classes are covered throughout the act.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 44-1001 of the Kansas Act Against Discrimination declares that equal access to housing is a civil right, and that the state has a formal policy of eliminating discriminatory practices by landlords, realtors, and financial institutions. Tenants who believe they have experienced housing discrimination based on a protected characteristic — such as race, religion, sex, disability, or familial status — may have recourse through the state commission established under this act. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid offices familiar with § 44-1001 can help individuals understand what complaint processes may be available to them.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 18, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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