Criminal Justice in Kansas

died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2350: Providing that no juvenile less than 18 years of age shall be prosecuted as an adult.

HB 2350 prohibits prosecuting any juvenile under 18 as an adult in Kansas. It directly affects all individuals under 18 accused of crimes, removing the possibility of adult criminal prosecution regardless of offense severity. The bill amends Kansas law to state explicitly that "no juvenile less than 18 years of age shall be prosecuted as an adult" and repeals the previous section allowing such prosecutions. This eliminates the court process for prosecutors to request adult prosecution for minors under 18, ensuring all juveniles under 18 remain under juvenile court jurisdiction.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice

died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 243: Requiring outpatient competency evaluations in certain circumstances and requiring the court to make specific findings for inpatient competency evaluations.

SB 243 requires courts to order outpatient competency evaluations for defendants charged with misdemeanors and generally for felony defendants, unless specific court findings justify inpatient evaluations. For felony cases, courts must document five key factors before ordering inpatient exams, including resource limitations, potential sentencing length, and whether the defendant faces certain serious felony charges. The bill sets a 60-day maximum limit for inpatient evaluations and prohibits using any statements made during evaluations as evidence against the defendant in court. It directly affects criminal defendants deemed incompetent to stand trial, altering how courts manage their competency assessments.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Sentencing

died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2173: Authorizing certain offenders to petition for relief from registration requirements under the Kansas offender registration act.

HB 2173 allows certain Kansas offenders who have met specific registration requirements to petition a court for relief from ongoing registration under the state's offender registration act. It directly affects drug offenders who registered for at least five years (or ten years for some pre-2011 cases with retroactive registration changes) and can prove rehabilitation through court evidence. Key provisions require petitioners to show no recent felony convictions, demonstrate behavioral rehabilitation, and prove that continued registration is no longer necessary for public safety. If approved, courts remove offenders from the registry and require the Kansas Bureau of Investigation to update public databases within 14 days.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts

died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2227: Prohibiting the use of any prone restraint on a juvenile who is in custody at a juvenile detention facility or juvenile correctional facility or being assessed as part of the juvenile intake and assessment system.

HB 2227 prohibits the use of prone restraints (holding a juvenile face-down) on juveniles in custody at juvenile detention or correctional facilities, or during the juvenile intake and assessment process. The bill amends Kansas' juvenile justice code to explicitly ban this practice for all personnel in these settings. This law directly affects juveniles under state custody and those undergoing initial assessments in the juvenile justice system. The prohibition applies immediately to all relevant facilities and staff under the state's juvenile justice code.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice

died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 295: Removing the criminal penalties for possession of a personal-use quantity of marijuana and creating a civil penalty for possession of a personal-use quantity of marijuana.

Kansas' SB 295 replaces criminal penalties for possessing a personal-use amount of marijuana (up to 1 ounce) with a civil "marijuana infraction." Adults face a $25 fine or up to three hours of community service, while minors require up to five hours of community service or a drug awareness program. The bill prohibits arrests for this infraction, bans criminal records, and prevents impacts on driving privileges, financial aid, housing, or adoption eligibility. Fines fund a drug awareness program (50%) and the state general fund (50%), with data reported annually to the legislature. Municipalities cannot ban possession but may regulate public consumption similarly to alcohol.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 255: Authorizing certain inmates in the custody of the secretary of corrections to petition the court for a resentencing hearing.

SB 255, the "Second Look Act," allows certain Kansas inmates to request a court review of their sentences after specific time periods based on their age at the time of the crime, veteran status, or completion of rehabilitation programs. Eligible inmates (e.g., those under 25 at sentencing after 10 years, 25-50 after 15 years, or over 50 after 10 years) can file a verified petition with court details, prompting a hearing where victims may testify. Courts may reduce sentences, adjust post-release supervision, or release inmates, but mandatory minimum terms remain unaffected. The bill requires victim notification and prohibits new petitions for five years after a denial.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing Victims' Rights

died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 287: Prohibiting law enforcement agencies and officers from participating in immigration enforcement in places of religious worship, elementary and secondary schools and hospitals.

SB 287 is a Kansas bill that prohibits local police and law enforcement agencies from assisting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) with arrests or warrants in places of religious worship, schools, or hospitals. It bans officers from participating in immigration enforcement within these locations and voids any existing agreements with ICE that would violate this rule. The law specifies that police may still enforce state laws but cannot aid federal immigration actions at these specific sites, which include churches, schools (public or private), and healthcare facilities like clinics or hospitals. Violations could lead to disciplinary action against officers. This bill directly affects Kansas law enforcement and federal immigration operations within designated protected locations.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics Policing Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

vetoed · Kansas · House Apr 11, 2025

HB 2228: Senate Substitute for HB 2228 by Committee on Judiciary - Requiring that a political subdivision hold an open meeting to discuss a contingency fee contract for legal services before approving such contract and requiring the attorney general to approve such contracts.

HB 2228 requires Kansas corrections officials to help inmates obtain essential identification and employment documents at least nine months before release. The law mandates providing certified birth certificates, social security cards, driver's licenses or state ID cards, and employment-related records like vocational training, work history, and educational certifications. Corrections officials must coordinate with state agencies to secure these documents if inmates lack them, with exceptions for inmates released to other jurisdictions or deemed unable to return to work. This policy aims to support successful reintegration by addressing common barriers to employment and identification.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

signed · Kansas · Senate Apr 11, 2025

SB 204: Providing that the attorney members of the board of trustees of the county law library in certain counties shall be appointed by the chief judge of the judicial district, allowing such boards to authorize the chief judge to use certain fees for the purpose of facilitating and enhancing functions of the district court of the county and requiring the case, warrant and subpoena information be sealed in criminal and juvenile offender cases.

SB 204 requires Kansas courts to keep criminal and juvenile case records, warrants, and subpoenas confidential until warrants are executed or requests are denied. Law enforcement may still access these records for warrant execution, but public access is restricted otherwise. The law applies retroactively to all pending cases and mandates courts to make written "good cause" findings before sealing records, balancing privacy/safety concerns against public access to court proceedings. It directly affects defendants in criminal/juvenile cases, courts, and law enforcement by changing how sensitive case information is handled.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Judges Juvenile Justice

signed · Kansas · House Apr 11, 2025

HB 2155: Specifying that sheriffs have liability for official acts related to charge and custody of jails.

HB 2155 clarifies that Kansas sheriffs are directly liable for their official acts related to jail custody and management, not just for deputies' actions. It amends Kansas Statute 19-811 to explicitly state that sheriffs and their sureties are liable for "official acts" in maintaining jails and prisoners, replacing the previous phrasing. This bill directly affects sheriffs and their sureties by defining their legal responsibility for jail operations. The change removes ambiguity in the existing law, ensuring sheriffs are accountable for their own actions in jail oversight. The bill takes effect upon publication in the statute book.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections

All criminal justice bills