Criminal Justice in Kansas

died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2704: Providing that amendments related to credit for time spent incarcerated are applicable to any sentence computed on or after October 20, 2023.

This bill changes how Kansas courts calculate credit for time defendants spend in jail before sentencing. For sentences computed on or after October 20, 2023, defendants will now receive credit for pretrial incarceration time, except when that time was already counted in another case (for consecutive sentences) or when they were held in another jurisdiction without a hold. The law amends Kansas sentencing rules to remove these two specific exclusions, ensuring more accurate credit application. It directly affects individuals sentenced for criminal offenses in Kansas starting from the effective date.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing

died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 506: Increasing the penalty for a second or subsequent adjudication of criminal use of weapons and modifying the penalties for the crime of criminal possession of a weapon by a convicted felon and the length of the ban on possessing a weapon for certain felons.

SB 506 increases penalties for second or subsequent convictions involving criminal weapon use, making it a more serious felony (severity level 8) for offenses like possessing short-barreled firearms as a minor. It modifies penalties for convicted felons who possess weapons, raising the severity of these offenses, and extends the length of the weapon possession ban for certain felons. The bill amends Kansas statutes K.S.A. 21-6301 (defining criminal weapon use) and 21-6304 (penalties for weapon possession by felons). It directly affects individuals with prior convictions for weapon-related crimes or those convicted of specific felonies, imposing harsher consequences for repeat violations.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms

died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2654: Prohibiting past sanctions for failure to comply with a traffic citation that are more than five years old from being considered by courts or the division of vehicles in determining suspended or restricted driving privileges and eliminating certain notice requirements for the division of vehicles related to suspended or restricted drivers' licenses.

HB 2654 modifies Kansas law to prevent courts and the Division of Vehicles from considering traffic citation non-compliance (like unpaid fines or missed court appearances) older than five years when deciding on license suspensions or restrictions. It also eliminates specific notice requirements that courts must send to drivers about license suspension actions. This change ensures drivers with unresolved traffic violations from more than five years ago cannot face license penalties based on those outdated cases. The bill streamlines the process by removing redundant administrative steps for the Division of Vehicles.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts

died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2612: Modifying criminal sentencing rules applicable in multiple conviction cases where consecutive sentences may be imposed by the sentencing judge and the sentence for the primary crime is a nonprison sentence.

HB 2612 modifies Kansas sentencing rules for defendants convicted of multiple crimes requiring consecutive sentences. It requires that supervision terms (like probation or parole) be based solely on the longest supervision period imposed for any single crime, rather than combining all terms. The bill also specifies that if the primary crime (determined by severity ranking) receives a nonprison sentence, all other sentences must be nonprison, with supervision based on the longest single term. This directly affects defendants facing multiple convictions in Kansas, particularly those with mixed sentencing scenarios (e.g., drug vs. non-drug offenses).

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Judges Probation & Parole Sentencing

in committee · Kansas · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 2765: Adding and removing certain substances in schedules I, III and IV of the uniform controlled substances act and making conforming changes to the criminal code definition of fentanyl-related controlled substance.

HB 2765 updates Kansas' controlled substances scheduling by adding specific fentanyl-related compounds to Schedules I, III, and IV of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act and removing certain other substances. It directly affects law enforcement, prosecutors, and medical professionals who must comply with these updated drug classifications under Kansas law. The bill makes technical changes to ensure the criminal code's definition of "fentanyl-related controlled substances" aligns precisely with the revised scheduling lists. This is a procedural adjustment to legal definitions, not a new policy.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Law Enforcement

died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2762: Modifying the crime of unlawful sexual relations to describe who is a person in a position of authority for a school.

HB 2762 amends Kansas law to explicitly include teachers as "a person in a position of authority for a school" under the crime of unlawful sexual relations. This change directly affects teachers and students enrolled at their school, making it illegal for teachers to engage in sexual activity with students aged 16 or older while employed at that school. The bill adds this specific scenario to the existing list of prohibited relationships (like those involving correctional staff or law enforcement), clarifying that the law applies when the teacher has authority over the student. The amendment does not change penalty levels but ensures teachers are covered under the same felony provisions as other authority figures in similar settings.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Teachers

died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2755: Directing the university of Kansas to operate a statewide repository of anonymous human trafficking data that is submitted by law enforcement agencies and prosecutors.

HB 2755 requires the University of Kansas to create and manage a statewide, anonymous data repository for human trafficking information. Law enforcement agencies, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, and prosecutors must submit anonymized data - including offense details, victim/offender demographics, location, and case outcomes - by July 1, 2028. The repository will analyze this data to track trafficking trends, evaluate state anti-trafficking programs, and inform law enforcement and victim services strategies. The university must annually report findings to state leadership starting July 1, 2029.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Law Enforcement

died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2639: Changing the name of juvenile crisis intervention centers to juvenile stabilization centers, modifying the intake criteria and treatment provided at such centers and transferring moneys from the evidence-based programs account of the state general fund for use at such centers.

HB 2639 changes the name of "juvenile crisis intervention centers" to "juvenile stabilization centers" and updates who can use these facilities. It modifies intake rules to limit who qualifies for services, removes certain restrictions on center operations, and updates the types of treatment provided. The bill transfers existing state funds from the "evidence-based programs account" to the Department for Children and Families to support these new stabilization services. This directly affects children needing crisis care and the state agencies managing these centers.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✗ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Mental Health

signed · Kansas · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 2613: Providing for the crime victims compensation board to establish fees chargeable for conducting examinations of persons who may be victims of sexual assault, authorizing the board to adopt rules and regulations to administer such fees and to use moneys in the crime victims compensation fund for the payment of such fees and allowing certain exceptions to the confidentiality of records and information given to the board.

HB 2613 authorizes Kansas' Crime Victims Compensation Board to establish fees for medical examinations of sexual assault victims and to use funds from the Crime Victims Compensation Fund to cover these costs. The bill requires counties where alleged assaults occurred to pay the fees - never the victim or their insurance - regardless of whether the victim reports the crime to law enforcement. It also mandates that medical facilities use approved evidence collection kits during examinations and follow specific procedures for handling unreported kits. This change directly affects counties, medical facilities, and the Crime Victims Compensation Board in administering victim care.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Victims' Rights Violent Crime

died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 469: Enacting the safe and transparent arrest act to require all law enforcement agencies operating in Kansas to adopt a written policy regarding the use of facial coverings and prohibit law enforcement officers from wearing a facial covering that conceals or obscures their facial identity in the performance of their duties except as expressly authorized by law.

SB 469 requires all Kansas law enforcement agencies to adopt and publicly post written policies by July 1, 2026, governing when officers may wear facial coverings that conceal their identity during duty. The law prohibits officers from wearing such coverings during routine activities (except in specific, limited circumstances like authorized undercover work, tactical safety needs, or medical use), and mandates that policies must prioritize transparency and public trust. Violations carry a class A misdemeanor penalty, and officers violating the law lose immunity from civil lawsuits, facing liability for damages (minimum $10,000) if they commit misconduct while concealing their identity. The bill directly affects all Kansas law enforcement officers and agencies, including federal officers operating within the state, and defines "facial covering" to exclude clear shields, medical masks, and safety gear.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

All criminal justice bills