Consistent with our previous reporting that states would continue to address noncompete issues even after the apparent end of the FTC Noncompete Rule, Kansas has joined the growing list of jurisdictions to pass or introduce legislation addressing restrictive covenants. The difference between Kansas and the other states’ legislation and proposed legislation is that Kansas’s legislation is employer friendly.
On April 8, 2025, Kansas enacted a law “concerning restraint of trade; relating to restrictive covenants; providing that certain restrictive covenants are not considered a restraint of trade and shall be enforceable; amending K.S.A. 2024 Supp. 50-163” (the “Kansas Law”). Pursuant to the Kansas Law, Kansas’s “restraint of trade act shall not be construed to apply to … any franchise agreements or covenants not to compete.”
Although the Kansas Law sets forth requirements for non-solicit provisions (as discussed below), it does not place requirements or restrictions on the use of noncompetes. Thus, it is likely that noncompetes will continue to be enforced consistent with Kansas case law. The “freedom to contract” and “wide discretion” for parties to entered into employment agreements “extends to restrictive covenants in employment contracts. Doan Family Corp. v. Arnberger, 522 P. 3d 364, 369-70 (Kan. App. 2022) (citing Foltz v. Struxness, 215 P. 2d 133 (Kan. 1950)). Under Kansas law, “noncompete agreements are ‘valid and enforceable if the restraint on competition is reasonable under the circumstances and not adverse to the public welfare.’” Id. at 370 (quoting Weber v. Tillman, 913 P. 2d 84 (Kan. 1996)).
Blog Editors
Recent Updates
- Health Care Non-Competes: 2025
- Wyoming Joins the List of States Banning Some Noncompete Agreements
- Arkansas Prohibits Noncompetes for Physicians
- New York State Proposes Bill to Ban Noncompetes Except for Highly Compensated Workers and in Sales of Businesses
- Texas Joins List of Legislatures Seeking to Ban Noncompete Agreements