Records of the Kansas Commission on Civil Rights

Abstract: Most of the records from the Commission owned by the State Archives concern specific complaints made by individuals about violations of their civil rights, as well as hearing and legal documents associated with these complaints. Due to the confidential nature of these complaints and the related work product from attorneys, these records can fall under restrictions in Kansas statutes. Additionally, some series continue under the Kansas Human Rights Commission, so researchers may need to search under both agency names for all relevant records.

Administrative History: In 1953, the State of Kansas passed the Kansas Act Against Discrimination, the twelfth state to pass such an act. This act created the Anti-Discrimination Commission which focused solely on employment practices and had no enforcement capabilities.

In 1961 when the act was amended in order to become an enforceable law prohibiting discriminatory employment practices because of race, religion, color, national origin, or ancestry, the name changed to the Kansas Commission on Civil Rights.

Over the following thirty years, the Commission on Civil Rights gained more power as the KAAD broadened its coverage. Public accommodations, such as hotels and restaurants, came under the commission’s purview, as did private housing. Types of discrimination, including physical handicap, age, and familial status were added. The Commission gained the ability to initiate complaints and contract compliance programs, as well as the power of subpoena and the ability to use hearing examiners for public hearings.

Finally in 1991, along with some amendments to the Kansas Act Against Discrimination, the commission changed its name again to the Kansas Human Rights Commission.

[Kansas Human Rights Commission. "Annual Report Fiscal Year 2007," http://www.khrc.net/pdf/AR2007.pdf (accessed 27 October 2008).]

Related materials: Records of the Kansas Commission on Human rights; Records of the Equal Employment Opportunity Office.