A Kansas Senate committee has considered legislation to make permanent a provision that would create a tiered system for family planning funds.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that the bill would prioritize federal funds for family planning services, sending them to state, county and local health departments before abortion providers such as Planned Parenthood.

The legislation was introduced by 27 Republican senators, a majority of the Senate. All Republicans on the Ways and Means Committee have signed on as bill sponsors.

The tiered system in the bill has been in place for several years. Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri has blamed it for the closure of Ellis and Ford County clinics.

The committee didn’t take action on the legislation Wednesday.
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