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.
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.
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.
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.
SB 509 would authorize Sheridan County to impose a countywide sales tax on retailers to fund the construction of a new jail and law enforcement center. The tax would require voter approval and would end once the project costs are fully covered by collected revenue. This bill amends Kansas law to extend this specific tax authority to Sheridan County, which currently lacks it under existing provisions for similar public safety projects.
SB 414 authorizes the Kansas Secretary of Corrections to use up to $2 million annually from the state's evidence-based programs account to fund licensed residential facilities providing behavioral health crisis intervention services for juveniles. It directly affects facilities licensed by Kansas' Department for Children and Families or Department for Aging and Disability Services that offer crisis intervention programs. The bill establishes a process for the Secretary to enter memorandums of understanding with these facilities, ensuring funding supports short-term crisis care without restricting facility design or requiring jail placements. This policy change specifically redirects existing state funds to expand access to crisis services for juveniles experiencing behavioral health issues.
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.
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.
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.
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.
