Criminal Justice (Corrections)

signed · Kansas · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 2444: Providing that jail credit when consecutive sentences are imposed shall not apply to more than one case, creating special sentencing rules when a felony is committed by certain offenders while on probation, parole or postrelease supervision for a prior felony and requiring secured minimum bonds for certain defendants who commit a new felony while on probation, parole, postrelease supervision or bond for a prior felony unless the court makes certain findings.

HB 2444 changes Kansas sentencing rules by limiting jail credit for consecutive sentences to apply to only one case, preventing double-counting of pretrial jail time across multiple sentences. For individuals on probation, parole, or postrelease supervision who commit a new felony, the bill requires courts to impose a prison sentence as the default (unless specific findings justify otherwise) and prohibits certain sentencing departures. It also mandates that such defendants must post a secured bond (requiring collateral) for release, unless the court waives this requirement. These provisions apply specifically to new felony offenses committed during supervision for a prior felony.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates prison as default for new felonies during supervision, restricts judicial discretion, and limits jail credit - increases mandatory sentencing without reform elements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Sentencing

died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 351: Requiring correctional facilities and jails to allow inmates and prisoners to make telephone calls at no cost.

SB 351 requires all Kansas correctional facilities and jails to allow inmates and prisoners to make telephone calls at no cost to them. The bill amends Kansas statutes (12-4213, 19-1919, and 75-5210) to explicitly prohibit charging inmates for calls or forcing them to use collect accounts or prepaid services. It directly affects individuals incarcerated in Kansas state prisons, county jails, and municipal holding facilities. The key provision mandates free access to phone calls while allowing facilities to set reasonable limits on call duration and frequency. This policy change applies to all inmates in Kansas custody under state law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates free inmate phone calls to maintain family connections, reducing recidivism and supporting rehabilitation - key criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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signed · Kansas · Senate Mar 27, 2026

SB 358: Requiring individuals convicted of certain felonies to be held without bond in the county jail until sentencing.

SB 358 would require courts to hold individuals convicted of specific serious felonies without bond in county jail until sentencing. It directly affects people convicted of non-drug felonies ranked severity levels 1-4 or drug felonies ranked severity levels 1-2 under Kansas sentencing guidelines. The key provision automatically revokes any existing bond and mandates jail detention for these individuals, replacing the current system where courts could grant release under certain conditions. This policy change applies only after conviction and before sentencing, not during trial or appeal.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates mandatory pretrial detention for specific felonies, removing judicial discretion and reducing defendant rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing

died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2498: Classifying crimes related to driving under the influence and driving a commercial vehicle under the influence as person crimes.

HB 2498 reclassifies driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs while operating a commercial vehicle as a "person crime" in Kansas, increasing penalties for these offenses. It raises penalties for repeat convictions (e.g., second offense becomes a class A misdemeanor with a 90-day minimum jail term) and mandates pre-sentence alcohol/drug evaluations for all offenders. The bill also adds a 1-month jail enhancement if a driver with children under 18 is in the vehicle during the offense. These changes directly affect commercial drivers convicted of DUI, with stricter sentencing and additional requirements for repeat offenses and child endangerment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory sentencing for commercial DUI (e.g., 90-day jail minimum for second offense) and expands criminalization by reclassifying offenses as 'person crimes'.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationReclassifies commercial DUI as person crime, increasing penalties and mandating evaluations to enhance road safety and vehicle regulation standards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing Driver Licensing Traffic Safety

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signed · Kansas · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 2596: Permitting the secretary of corrections to enter into certain contracts for the production of manufactured or modular homes for a pilot program at the Hutchinson correctional facility under the prison-made goods act.

HB 2596 amends Kansas law to allow the secretary of corrections to enter contracts for producing manufactured or modular homes under the prison-made goods program, without competing with private home manufacturers. It specifically removes a restriction that previously prevented prison programs from building homes that might conflict with private industry, while maintaining exemptions for the existing vocational building program (which creates small buildings under 1,000 sq ft for state agencies). The bill clarifies that contracts for home production are permitted under existing law, aligning with the prison-made goods act. This directly affects Kansas prison labor programs and private home manufacturers/dealers by enabling new contract opportunities without market competition. The changes take effect upon publication in the Kansas Register.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands prison vocational program for home construction, supporting inmate rehabilitation and job skills under corrections program.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

signed · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2025

HB 2215: Modifying the definition of public-private partnership to increase the allowable cost-share limit for expenditures by the department of corrections on certain correctional institution construction projects.

This bill increases the maximum percentage of construction costs the Kansas Department of Corrections (DOC) can cover in public-private partnerships for correctional facility projects, raising it from 25% to 50% of total project costs. It directly affects the DOC and private entities - such as corporations, non-profits, or faith-based organizations - partnering on building or renovating correctional facilities. The key change modifies the legal definition of "public-private partnership" to allow the DOC to pay up to half the project costs, expanding opportunities for such collaborations. This adjustment simplifies the cost-sharing structure without altering project requirements or oversight.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeIncreases DOC construction cost-share for correctional facilities, directly supporting corrections infrastructure within criminal justice.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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 JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill promotes rehabilitation and reduces recidivism by providing employability certificates to qualifying inmates, aiding reintegration and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides certificate to aid post-incarceration employment, reducing hiring barriers for qualifying individuals with education/skills credentials.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 116: Requiring prosecutors to disclose their intent to introduce testimony from a jailhouse witness and to forward related information to the Kansas bureau of investigation.

SB 116 requires prosecutors in Kansas to disclose specific details about jailhouse witnesses - incarcerated individuals who testify about statements made by a suspect or defendant while both were in jail - before trial. Prosecutors must provide defense attorneys with the witness’s criminal history, any cooperation agreements or benefits (like plea deals or sentence reductions), details of alleged statements, recantation information, and prior cases where the witness testified. It also mandates prosecutors to maintain records and forward this data to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation for a confidential statewide database, accessible only to prosecutors. The bill directly affects criminal defendants (by improving defense access to evidence), prosecutors (requiring new disclosure duties), and victims (notifying them if a jailhouse witness receives benefits).

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates disclosure of jailhouse witness details to defense, enhancing trial fairness and reducing wrongful conviction risks - core criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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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 JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeClarifies sheriff liability for jail management, enhancing accountability in corrections per bill's focus on direct legal responsibility for official acts.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections