Topeka ? A bill that would potentially shrink civil service protections for some employees has advanced in the Kansas House.

The chamber voted 71-53 Tuesday to give first-round approval to a bill that would allow state agencies to remove some protections for new workers and employees changing positions.

State employees receive employment protections and benefits not given to political appointees.

The chamber also blocked an amendment that would have reinstated non-discrimination protections for sexual minorities. The body voted 81-42 that the proposal was not relevant to the bill.

The Senate on Tuesday will debate a bill that would eliminate most collective bargaining processes between state agencies and public employees. Agencies would have the power to impose pay and benefit conditions on employees under the bill.

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