Criminal Justice in Kansas

died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 442: Increasing the criminal penalties for exposing another to a communicable disease and modifying the elements of such crime to include otherwise lawful or unlawful sexual intercourse or sodomy.

SB 442 amends Kansas law to expand the criminal offense of exposing others to a life-threatening communicable disease. It specifically makes it illegal to engage in sexual intercourse or sodomy (with intent to expose), sell/donate blood or body fluids, or share needles with the intent to transmit such a disease - regardless of whether the sexual act is lawful or unlawful. Violating this law is now a severity level 7 felony, increasing penalties from the previous classification. The bill directly affects individuals who knowingly expose others through these specific actions, aiming to strengthen legal protections against disease transmission.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2681: Establishing the department of corrections peer support fund and transferring moneys from the state general fund to the department of corrections peer support fund.

HB 2681 creates a dedicated fund within the Kansas Department of Corrections to support mental health and wellness programs for corrections officers and staff. It transfers $500,000 from the state general fund starting July 1, 2026, with additional annual funding possible through future appropriations. The fund covers peer support training, crisis intervention services, suicide prevention resources, and related operational costs, directly benefiting corrections employees. Annual reports on fund usage and program effectiveness must be submitted to the governor and legislature.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics State Budget Corrections Mental Health

died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2697: Modifying the crime of unlawful acts involving theft detection shielding devices to include possessing, with the intent to commit theft, a computer program, application, software or other device adapted, designed or commonly used to operate a lock or locks on or start a motor vehicle without an ignition key or key fob, or to copy, store information relating to, or interfere with those functions and providing for exceptions.

HB 2697 makes it a crime to possess, with intent to steal, computer programs, software, or devices designed to operate vehicle locks without keys, copy vehicle information, or interfere with vehicle functions. This directly affects individuals attempting to steal vehicles using digital tools, while exempting legitimate professionals like dealers, locksmiths, law enforcement, and auto repair businesses. The bill expands existing law - which previously targeted physical theft-detection shielding devices - to cover digital methods used in modern car theft. It does not change penalties for other theft-related offenses but specifically targets the digital tools enabling keyless vehicle theft.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 460: Authorizing municpal court services agencies to issue identification certificates to individuals under probation supervision.

This bill amends Kansas law to allow municipal court services agencies to issue identification certificates to individuals under their probation supervision. These certificates can now be used as valid proof of identity when replacing a lost or damaged driver's license. Previously, only certificates from the Department of Corrections were accepted for this purpose. The change directly affects people on probation in Kansas who need to renew or replace their driver's licenses.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Probation & Parole

signed · Kansas · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 2747: Specifying that courts shall consider certain factors in determining whether a prior violation of law is comparable to any act described in certain driving under the influence crimes when calculating a person's criminal history score under the Kansas sentencing guidelines act.

HB 2747 modifies Kansas sentencing guidelines to clarify how courts evaluate prior out-of-state violations related to driving under the influence (DUI) when calculating a person's criminal history score. It requires courts to specifically consider factors listed in K.S.A. 8-1567(j) to determine if a prior violation from another state is comparable to Kansas DUI offenses. This change directly affects individuals with prior DUI-related convictions or charges in other states who are now facing sentencing in Kansas. The law ensures these prior offenses are assessed consistently under Kansas sentencing rules, potentially impacting sentencing severity for repeat DUI cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Sentencing

died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 484: Moving marijuana from schedule I to schedule III of the uniform controlled substances act.

SB 484 reclassifies marijuana and tetrahydrocannabinols (THC) from Schedule I to Schedule III under Kansas' Uniform Controlled Substances Act. This change directly affects Kansas residents who possess marijuana, altering the legal penalties for possession. Under the bill, simple possession would become a Class B nonperson misdemeanor (previously a felony for some cases), with penalties escalating based on prior convictions. The bill amends Kansas statutes K.S.A. 21-5706 and 65-4105 to reflect this reclassification and adjust corresponding penalties.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2610: Limiting the use of a summons instead of a warrant for the arrest of a defendant to misdemeanor crimes and requiring that any bond set on a warrant issued after a failure to appear in response to a summons shall not allow release on the defendant's own recognizance.

HB 2610 limits the use of a court summons (instead of an arrest warrant) to misdemeanor cases only, prohibiting summons for felony charges. If a defendant fails to appear after receiving a summons for a misdemeanor, a warrant must be issued, and the court cannot set bond allowing release "on their own recognizance" (meaning they must post bail instead of just promising to return). This bill directly affects individuals charged with misdemeanors who miss court appearances, changing how law enforcement handles such cases and requiring financial bail for subsequent warrants. The law amends Kansas criminal procedure statutes to clarify these requirements and was passed by the Kansas legislature with 88 votes in favor.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2749: Amending the crime of unlawful sexual relations to include persons in a position of trust or authority when such position is used to carry out the offense.

HB 2749 amends Kansas law to explicitly include individuals in positions of trust or authority (such as teachers, coaches, or counselors) as a new category for the crime of unlawful sexual relations. It makes it illegal for these individuals to engage in consensual sexual activity with someone under their care or supervision, using their position of authority to facilitate the offense. The bill adds this provision to existing sections that already cover similar scenarios involving corrections staff, law enforcement, and school personnel. This change expands the definition of the crime without altering penalties, focusing on preventing exploitation in power-imbalanced relationships.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

signed · Kansas · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 2653: Requiring the secretary of corrections to assist inmates with obtaining identification and employment-related documentation prior to release from custody.

HB 2653 requires Kansas's Secretary of Corrections to help incarcerated individuals obtain essential identification and employment documents before their release. Specifically, it mandates providing certified birth certificates, Social Security cards, and state-issued driver's licenses or ID cards (if eligible), plus job training records, work history, educational credentials, and a resume highlighting skills. This applies to all inmates released from state custody within nine months of release, excluding those transferred to other jurisdictions or deemed unable to work by the Secretary. The law also requires coordination with state agencies to streamline document access, aiming to reduce barriers to employment and reintegration after incarceration.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Corrections Workforce Development

died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2748: Increasing the time of initial orders and possible extensions under the protection from abuse act and the protection from stalking, sexual assault or human trafficking act.

HB 2748 increases the maximum duration for protective orders under Kansas' Protection from Abuse Act and Protection from Stalking, Sexual Assault, or Human Trafficking Act. Currently, initial orders last up to two years and extensions can last up to three years. The bill raises these limits, allowing for longer-lasting protection for victims of abuse, stalking, sexual assault, or trafficking. This change directly affects individuals seeking or subject to these orders in court cases, providing extended safety measures without requiring additional court hearings for shorter terms.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Human Trafficking

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