Criminal Justice in Kansas

in committee · Kansas · House Feb 20, 2025

HB 2179: Prohibiting fines and fees from being assessed against a juvenile or a juvenile's parent, guardian or custodian in a case pursuant to the revised Kansas juvenile justice code.

HB 2179 prohibits courts from imposing fines, fees, costs, or other financial obligations against juveniles or their parents, guardians, or custodians in cases under Kansas' juvenile justice system. It requires the automatic discharge of all existing court-ordered financial obligations related to juvenile cases as of July 1, 2025, and mandates the immediate release of juveniles held solely for nonpayment. The bill explicitly excludes restitution payments from this prohibition. This legislation amends multiple statutes to implement these changes across Kansas' juvenile justice code.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Victims' Rights

died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2224: Requiring a law enforcement officer executing a search warrant at residential premises to be uniformed and to knock and announce themselves before entering the property.

HB 2224 requires Kansas law enforcement officers to be properly uniformed and to knock on the door while announcing their presence before entering a residential property to execute a search warrant. This applies specifically to "dwellings" as defined in the bill - buildings or portions used as homes or residences. The bill amends Kansas law (K.S.A. 22-2510) to add these requirements, replacing the previous standard for residential warrant executions. It does not change when warrants may be executed (any time of day) but adds procedural steps for officer conduct at homes. The law takes effect upon publication in the statute book.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2401: Providing that prior convictions of a crime that is determined unconstitutional by an appellate court shall not be used for criminal history scoring purposes unless the basis of the determination of unconstitutionality by the appellate court is later overruled or reversed.

HB 2401 modifies Kansas sentencing guidelines to prevent using prior convictions for crimes later deemed unconstitutional by a higher court in criminal history scoring. It directly affects individuals with prior convictions for laws invalidated by appellate courts, ensuring those convictions no longer impact sentencing severity. The bill adds a specific provision to Kansas law (K.S.A. 21-6810) stating such prior convictions cannot be counted unless the court’s ruling on unconstitutionality is later reversed by the Kansas Supreme Court or U.S. Supreme Court. This change applies to all future sentencing cases where the prior conviction stems from a statute found unconstitutional. The bill does not alter current sentences but prevents the use of these invalidated convictions in calculating criminal history scores.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Sentencing

died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 245: Providing that no person shall be sentenced to death for crimes committed after July 1, 2025, and creating the crime of aggravated murder.

SB 245 prohibits the death penalty for crimes committed after July 1, 2025, replacing it with a mandatory life sentence without parole for a new crime called "aggravated murder." This applies specifically to severe offenses like killings during kidnappings for ransom, contract killings, murders of law enforcement officers, or killings of children under 14 during sex-related kidnappings. Individuals convicted of aggravated murder after the effective date will serve life in prison with no possibility of release, parole, or commutation. The bill repeals existing death penalty provisions and amends related statutes to implement these changes.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 157: Requiring search warrants to be issued only on the statement of facts sufficient to show probable cause made by a law enforcement officer, warrants issued for failure to appear to be provided to a compensated surety, bond forfeiture to be set aside in certain circumstances and remission if the defendant is returned to custody in certain circumstances and prohibiting a compensated surety from making loans for certain portions of the required minimum appearance bond premium.

SB 157 amends Kansas law governing appearance bonds and bond forfeitures. It requires law enforcement to issue warrants for defendants' failure to appear within 14 days and provide copies to compensated sureties (bondsmen) within that timeframe. The bill allows courts to set aside bond forfeitures if sureties prove defendants left the country or if warrants weren't timely provided, and mandates 95% remission of the bond amount if defendants are returned to custody within 180 days of forfeiture. This directly affects defendants who skip court, sureties who post bonds, and courts handling bond enforcement. The law replaces existing provisions in K.S.A. 22-2807 with these new requirements.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 158: Allowing persons with felony drug convictions to receive benefits under the supplemental nutrition assistance program.

SB 158 removes a ban preventing individuals with felony drug convictions from receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in Kansas. The bill amends Kansas Statute 39-709 to eliminate the disqualification based on such convictions, allowing eligible Kansans to access food assistance if they meet other standard requirements like income limits. This change directly affects people with prior felony drug convictions who previously could not qualify for SNAP benefits despite meeting other eligibility criteria. The key mechanism is a straightforward update to the state's eligibility statute, aligning Kansas law with federal SNAP rules that permit such access.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2272: Providing that no person shall be sentenced to death for crimes committed after July 1, 2025, and creating the crime of aggravated murder.

HB 2272 prohibits death sentences for crimes committed in Kansas after July 1, 2025, replacing the death penalty with life imprisonment without parole for future cases. It creates a new crime called "aggravated murder," defined as intentional killings during specific severe circumstances like kidnapping for ransom, contract killings, prison violence, sex offenses, or killing multiple victims. Anyone convicted of aggravated murder under this bill will receive a mandatory life sentence without parole. The law affects all future murder defendants in Kansas who would have been eligible for the death penalty under prior law.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 258: Requiring specific intent as an element of the crime of false representation of an election official.

SB 258 amends Kansas law to require that prosecutors prove a person *deliberately intended* to trick others into believing they were an election official (like a county clerk or election worker) when charging them with false representation. This change applies to anyone impersonating election staff through phone, email, social media, or other communication methods. The bill specifically adds "specific intent" as a required element for the crime, which was not previously mandated under the existing law. It directly affects individuals who falsely pose as election officials online or via communication channels. The law does not change the penalty (a felony) but clarifies the legal standard needed for conviction.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2327: Establishing procedures and requirements for the secretary of corrections to issue a certificate of employability to certain inmates.

HB 2327 requires Kansas' secretary of corrections to issue a "certificate of employability" to certain inmates upon release if they earned a high school diploma or equivalent, had no major disciplinary issues in the year before release, and passed a job skills assessment. This certificate directly affects qualifying inmates by providing documented proof of their education and skills to potential employers. The bill also allows the certificate to be used as evidence in negligent hiring lawsuits, where employers relying on it may defend against claims of poor hiring practices. The secretary must revoke the certificate if an inmate is convicted of a felony after release, and must report annual issuance numbers and recidivism rates to state leaders.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Corrections

died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2322: Prohibiting law enforcement officers and agencies from engaging in motorcycle profiling and requiring police training programs to include training on motorcycle profiling.

HB 2322 prohibits Kansas law enforcement officers and agencies from engaging in "motorcycle profiling" - stopping or targeting individuals solely based on riding a motorcycle or wearing motorcycle-related gear without legal justification. The bill requires all law enforcement agencies to adopt written policies banning this practice and outlining disciplinary actions for violations, plus mandate annual training for officers on avoiding motorcycle profiling. It also establishes a complaint process where affected individuals can file claims with the attorney general or pursue civil action for damages. The law amends state training standards to include mandatory motorcycle profiling training in all law enforcement officer courses. This directly affects all Kansas police departments, officers, and motorcycle riders who may be stopped or targeted based on their vehicle or attire.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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