Kansas Senate Bill 180 goes into effect on July 1, 2023. This statewide law bars transgender people from using restrooms, locker rooms and other public facilities that have been earmarked for cisgender use. Until this bill was passed, trans people were free to utilize these services according to their gender identity.

Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez announced that Isaiah J. Duckworth, 35, of Lawrence, pleaded no contest to two counts of aggravated sexual battery prior to the start of his trial Tuesday. 

The convictions stem from incidents that occurred in October 2022 when Duckworth unlawfully touched a then 16-year-old Lawrence girl while Duckworth was staying in the same residence as the girl. 

“Survivors of sexual assault have a voice in Douglas County," District Attorney Valdez said.