Criminal Justice

This Senate Resolution expresses the Kansas Senate's disapproval of President Trump's decision to pardon over 1,500 individuals connected to the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack. The measure specifically targets those who were convicted of crimes like assaulting law enforcement officers or using deadly weapons during the event. By formally condemning these pardons, the resolution aims to signal that violence against police should result in accountability rather than leniency. The document is sent to state law enforcement groups and Kansas's U.S. congressional delegation to reinforce this stance.

This House Resolution condemns the actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and its affiliated agencies, asserting state sovereignty against federal overreach. It calls for transparency and accountability, honoring those who have died due to ICE enforcement actions or custody. The resolution highlights concerns about violent, militarized tactics, warrantless entries, and systemic deficiencies in training and oversight that have led to injuries and deaths. It does not create new laws or funding but serves as a formal statement of disapproval and a demand for reform.

This bill proposes adding a new section to the Kansas Constitution to establish a legal right for adults to possess and use cannabis. If passed by the legislature and approved by voters, it would grant adults the ability to hold and consume cannabis while allowing the government to enforce reasonable laws that protect public health, safety, and general welfare. The measure would be placed on the ballot for a public vote in November 2026, where a "yes" vote would enshrine this right in the state constitution.

This Senate concurrent resolution urges the U.S. Congress to double fines for breaking federal immigration laws and asks Immigration and Customs Enforcement to more aggressively prosecute companies that hire undocumented workers. The bill directly addresses employers who hire unauthorized immigrants and federal agencies responsible for immigration enforcement, citing concerns that current penalties are too weak to deter hiring practices that allegedly harm American workers. Because this is a non-binding resolution rather than a law, it expresses the Kansas Senate's formal recommendation to federal officials without creating new legal obligations or changing existing statutes. The document highlights past statistics showing that ICE has rarely used criminal prosecution against employers compared to its focus on individuals entering the country illegally.

This concurrent resolution urges the Governor of Kansas to fully cooperate with the Trump administration on enforcing federal immigration laws. The bill specifically encourages the state to assist in border security efforts, including the potential deployment of the Kansas National Guard, and supports the deportation of undocumented immigrants who have committed crimes. It frames this cooperation as a bipartisan necessity to protect public safety and resources while also affirming support for a legal immigration system. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send copies to the Governor, federal officials, and members of Congress to promote collaboration on these issues.

This bill proposes adding a new section to the Kansas Constitution that would guarantee the public's right to possess and use cannabis for medical purposes. The amendment includes a clause allowing reasonable laws and regulations to protect public health, safety, and general welfare. If passed by the legislature and approved by voters in the 2026 general election, it would legally enshrine medical cannabis rights at the state level.

This bill prohibits drivers from using mobile phones without hands-free devices while operating vehicles in school zones or construction zones where workers are present. It applies to all drivers except law enforcement and emergency personnel, those safely stopped, or those using hands-free equipment. The law includes exceptions for reporting crimes, preventing injuries, summoning emergency help, and certain professional communications. Violations will result in warning citations that expire on July 1, 2027, and police cannot confiscate phones without consent except under specific legal conditions.

This bill would make abortion a criminal offense in Kansas by amending state laws to define an unborn child as a person from fertilization to birth, subjecting all abortions to criminal prosecution. It directly affects pregnant individuals, medical providers, and anyone who aids or advises on obtaining an abortion, while including exceptions for spontaneous miscarriages and life-saving medical procedures. The legislation also expands wrongful death claims to include unborn children, allowing families to seek damages if an abortion causes fetal death, with protections for mothers against being pressured into procedures. These changes would take effect on July 1, 2026, and apply only to conduct occurring after that date.

This Kansas bill clarifies which individuals must undergo criminal history record checks and specifies that the Department for Aging and Disability Services will receive the results of these checks. It authorizes the department to require fingerprinting and background checks for anyone applying for or employed in positions involving direct access to vulnerable adults or children. The bill establishes strict employment prohibitions for individuals convicted of serious offenses such as murder, sexual crimes against children, elder mistreatment, and various fraud or drug-related felonies, with some restrictions lasting indefinitely and others applying within six years of completing a sentence. Applicants or employees must pay a reasonable fee for each criminal history record check, and the department may grant waivers for employment in specific cases.

This bill clarifies the authority of county sheriffs in Kansas to detain individuals based on immigration detainer requests from federal immigration authorities, specifying the documentation required to justify such detentions. It requires municipal insurance pools to provide liability coverage for local law enforcement officers who enforce federal immigration laws, regardless of whether they are formally deputized by federal agencies. The legislation also mandates that the state attorney general provide legal representation to local law enforcement agencies in federal civil or habeas corpus actions related to immigration enforcement and exempts certain federal immigration cooperation agreements from specific provisions of the state's interlocal cooperation act. Additionally, the bill establishes that the state will pay certain court judgment costs if federal authorities fail to cover them in cases where local officers acted in good faith while enforcing immigration detainers.