TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas is taking steps to give parents more control over medical decisions about life-extending care for their disabled or critically ill children with a new law that supporters hope becomes a model for other states.

Republican Gov. Sam Brownback signed a bill Friday that will prevent hospitals and physicians from instituting do-not-resuscitate orders or similar directives for children if one parent objects. The new law takes effect July 1.

The law was a priority for Kansans for Life, an influential anti-abortion group that also lobbies against assisted suicide and on end-o...