TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Senate has advanced tighter rules for the state’s social services that include a $25-a-day limit on withdrawals with a cash-assistance card from ATMs.

Senators gave first-round approval on a voice vote Wednesday to a bill that enshrines existing policies from Republican Gov. Sam Brownback’s administration into law, so they’ll be harder to undo.

The policies include a requirement for able-bodied recipients of cash assistance and food stamps to work or seek jobs.

The bill also contains new rules, such as the limit on ATM withdrawals designed to prevent fraud. Another new rule would prohibit using cash assistance for sexually oriented materials or luxury items.

Supporters said the bill will move people from social services to jobs. Critics called it mean-spirited.

Senators planned to take final action Thursday.

CAROLYN THOMPSON, Associated Press

CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (AP) — The number of people taking high school equivalency exams in the U.S. plummeted — and the percentage who passed fell, too — in the year after a revamped, Common Core-inspired GED was introduced along with two new competing tests.

Administrators say a rush by people to take the old exam in 2013 resulted in fewer test-takers in 2014. And harder questions led to lower scores.

But officials say testing and pass rates are up so far in 2015, suggesting the bumps are being smoothed out.

The GED was overhauled last year to reflect the Common Core standards that have been adopted by most states and emphasize critical thinking. Two new high school equivalency exams that also incorporate some of those standards were also rolled out last year.

HUMBOLT- Two Kansas woman were injured in an accident just before 2 p.m. on Wednesday in Allen County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2001 Buick Regal driven by Rose Stierwalt, 72, Chanute, entered U.S.169 northbound from the ramp at 1150 Road six miles south of Humbolt and drove in front of a semi.

Stierwalt was transported to Wesley Medical Center. A passenger in the Buick Darlene Topman, 74, Chanune, was transported to Labette Health.

The semi driver from Missouri was not injured.

The KHP reported they were unsure if Stierwalt was wearing a seat belt.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Democratic lawmaker is under investigation after nine GOP lawmakers complained about comments Rep. Valdenia Winn of Kansas City made during a committee hearing.

The panel of three Republicans and three Democrats selected to look into the complaint held their opening hearing Wednesday. It will meet again to begin the investigation April 30.

The complaint concerns comments Winn made during a House Education Committee meeting March 19.

Winn criticized a bill to repeal a law giving a tuition break at public universities and colleges to young students living in the U.S. illegally. Winn is black and called the proposal racist. Winn declined to comment after the panel’s meeting.

House Minority Leader Tom Burroughs said in a statement that the investigation is Republican attempt to silence a minority voice speaking out against discrimination.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas saw an increase last year in the number of abortions using a procedure banned under a policy that is expected to take effect in July.

The state Department of Health and Environment released statistics Wednesday showing that the dilation and evacuation method was used in 637 abortions in 2014. That was 8.8 percent of the 7,263 pregnancies terminated in Kansas.

Legislators passed a bill last week to redefine the procedure as “dismemberment abortion” and outlaw it. Republican Gov. Sam Brownback has promised to sign it.

The health department reported 584 abortions using the method in 2013, accounting for 7.8 percent of the 7,485 abortions that year.

The increase in such abortions was 53, or 9.1 percent.

The decrease in total abortions last year was 222, or 3 percent.

HUGOTON  – A Stevens County jury on Tuesday found Kenneth Harris, 44, of Moscow, guilty of multiple child sex crimes, according to Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt.

Harris was found guilty of four counts of rape, one count of attempted rape, one count of aggravated indecent liberties with a child, one count of aggravated intimidation of a victim, one count of kidnapping and one count of abuse of a child. Six of the counts are subject to Jessica’s Law, which carries a possible penalty of life in prison with no parole eligibility for 25 years.

The crimes were committed between October 2012 and September 2013. Judge Clinton B. Peterson presided over the trial. Sentencing has been set for May 12 at 1pm in Stevens County District Court.

The case was investigated by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Stevens County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant Attorney General Nicole Romine of Schmidt’s office prosecuted the case with assistance from Stevens County Attorney Paul Kitzke.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — State universities in Kansas could not increase tuition for two years under a proposal drafted by legislators negotiating over budget issues.

Three senators and three House members reached agreement Wednesday on a proposed $15.5 billion spending plan for the fiscal year beginning July 1. Higher education spending was a major issue for the negotiators.

Their budget agreement largely adopts Republican Gov. Sam Brownback’s proposals to keep spending on the higher education system relatively flat, despite a projected budget shortfall of nearly $600 million.

Negotiators agreed to avoid cuts in spending for the University of Kansas and Kansas State University but added a provision requiring universities to hold tuition at current levels through June 2017.

GOP negotiators said they’re concerned about how tuition increases would affect students and their families.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Gov. Sam Brownback plans to sign a bill allowing Kansas residents to carry concealed firearms without a permit.

The Republican governor’s office scheduled a signing ceremony for Thursday afternoon at the Statehouse. Legislators approved the measure last week.

The new law takes effect July 1.

The National Rifle Association says Kansas will become the fifth state to allow concealed carry without a permit everywhere within its borders.

Kansas still will issue permits for gun owners who want to carry concealed in other states that recognize Kansas permits. A person seeking a Kansas permit must undergo eight hours of firearms training.

Supporters of the bill said gun owners have shown they can be trusted to carry concealed.

Critics of the measure say the state should require some training to carry concealed.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas legislators have given final approval to a bill allowing the state to hold juvenile offenders who have been charged in criminal cases as adults in juvenile facilities.

House members agreed Tuesday to accept Senate amendments to the measure, sending it to Gov. Sam Brownback.

The House vote was 111-5. The Senate approved the bill last week on a 40-0 vote.

Department of Corrections officials said state law currently prevents juveniles charged as adults from being housed with other juvenile offenders. But federal law doesn’t allow juvenile offenders to be held in adult prisons unless they’re separated from adult inmates.

The Department of Corrections said it now is forced to pay other states to house juvenile offenders charged as adults in facilities outside Kansas.

———————-

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas House has given final approval to a bill that would put some juvenile offenders in adult prisons.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reported that House members agreed Tuesday to accept the Senate’s amendments to the bill that both chambers have passed.

The bill passed the House on a 111-5 vote and the Senate approved it last week on a 40-0 vote. It will now go to Gov. Sam Brownback.

The final version of the bill would place all juveniles aged 16 to 18 who were charged as adults into adult prisons. It would also require courts to assess juveniles to determine whether they should be incarcerated or receive alternative punishments.

Democratic Rep. Boog Highberger of Lawrence said federal law prohibits placing juveniles in prisons occupied by adults.