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HB 2228 Kansas House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

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.
Issues: ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires corrections to provide essential ID/employment documents pre-release to aid reintegration, reducing barriers that contribute to recidivism and supporting rehabilitation efforts.92% confidence
Bill status vetoed 4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
House Passage
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Mar 2025
Vetoed
Apr 2025
Introduced Feb 4, 2025 Vetoed Apr 11, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

As Introduced → Enrolled · 6 edits
MODERATE
The bill completely replaced the original text, shifting from a mandate for the Department of Corrections to assist inmates with identification and employment documents to a new law regulating contingent fee contracts for legal services by political subdivisions. The new version requires open meetings and written findings before such contracts are approved and mandates Attorney General review to ensure consistency with state interests and ethical rules.
Scope change
The bill's scope changed entirely from a specific departmental duty regarding inmate re-entry to a broad regulatory framework governing how local governments hire outside attorneys on a contingency basis.
SCOPE

Removed all provisions requiring the Secretary of Corrections to provide inmates with birth certificates, social security cards, and employment records before release.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirements for political subdivisions to hold open meetings with specific agenda items explaining the need for contingent fee contracts and the qualifications of the attorney.

Added a requirement for political subdivisions to obtain written approval from the Attorney General before a contingent fee contract becomes effective.

TIMELINE

Established a 45-day review period for the Attorney General to approve or refuse contracts, with automatic approval if no action is taken within that timeframe.

DEFINITION

Defined 'contingent fee' and 'legal services' while explicitly excluding bond counsel, debt collection, and insurance recovery services from the new restrictions.

ENFORCEMENT

Granted the Attorney General the authority to intervene in court proceedings or request dismissal if a contingent fee contract violates the new rules.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
18
Key actions
8
Committee
6
Apr 11, 2025
Vetoed
No motion to reconsider vetoed bill; Veto sustained
lower
Apr 10, 2025
Vetoed
Vetoed by Governor; Returned to House on Wednesday, April 9, 2025
lower
Mar 27, 2025
Lower · Passed
Concurred with amendments; Yea 73, Nay 52
lower
Mar 26, 2025
Upper · Passed
Emergency Final Action - Substitute passed; Yea 28, Nay 12
upper
Mar 26, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee of the Whole - Committee Report be adopted recommending substitute bill be passed
upper
Mar 25, 2025
Committee
Withdrawn from Senate Committee on Ways and Means and referred to Committee of the Whole
upper
Mar 25, 2025
Committee
Withdrawn from Calendar; Referred to Senate Committee on Ways and Means
upper
Mar 19, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee Report recommending substitute bill be passed by Senate Committee on Judiciary
upper
Feb 26, 2025
Committee
Referred to Senate Committee on Judiciary
upper
Feb 25, 2025
Introduced
Received and Introduced
upper
Feb 20, 2025
Lower · Passed
Emergency Final Action - Passed; Yea 123, Nay 0, Absent 2
lower
Feb 20, 2025
Lower · Passed
Motion to advance to Emergency Final Action adopted
lower
Feb 20, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee of the Whole - Be passed
lower
Feb 14, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee Report recommending bill be passed by House Committee on Corrections and Juvenile Justice
lower
Feb 4, 2025
Committee
Referred to House Committee on Corrections and Juvenile Justice
lower
Feb 4, 2025
Introduced
Introduced
lower
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.