TOPEKA ? (AP) – Gov. Kathleen Sebelius signed legislation to replace a funeral picketing law invalidated by the Kansas Supreme Court.

The governor’s signature Thursday came without fanfare and completes the fast-track trip the bill took after the court on March 11 struck down a key portion of the year-old law that prevented its enforcement. The new law goes into effect next Thursday.

The legislation was prompted by the ongoing protests by the Rev. Fred Phelps and his followers at funerals of U.S. soldiers killed in combat.