Criminal Justice (Human Trafficking)

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.

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.

HB 2688 prevents courts from enforcing nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) in legal disputes involving childhood sexual abuse or human trafficking allegations. It directly affects victims, abusers, and traffickers in civil cases by voiding NDAs that would otherwise silence victims or conceal wrongdoing. The law applies to NDAs signed on or after July 1, 2026, though agreements made before that date may still be enforced if a court issues a final declaration of enforceability. This policy change ensures victims cannot be legally barred from speaking about abuse or trafficking incidents in related legal proceedings.

HB 2182 prohibits Kansas sheriffs from charging fees for serving court documents in protection order cases under the Protection from Abuse Act and the Protection from Stalking, Sexual Assault, or Human Trafficking Act. This means victims seeking these specific protections will not face a $15 service fee (standard for most cases) when legal documents are delivered. The bill amends Kansas law to explicitly exempt these proceedings from the standard fee structure. This removes a financial barrier for individuals accessing court-ordered protections in abuse, stalking, sexual assault, or trafficking cases.