Criminal Justice (Policing)

died · Kansas · Senate Apr 11, 2025

SR 1706: Condemning the pardons and commutations of sentences for those individuals involved in the attack at the United States capitol building on January 6, 2021.

This Senate Resolution expresses the Kansas Senate's disapproval of President Trump's decision to pardon over 1,500 individuals connected to the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack. The measure specifically targets those who were convicted of crimes like assaulting law enforcement officers or using deadly weapons during the event. By formally condemning these pardons, the resolution aims to signal that violence against police should result in accountability rather than leniency. The document is sent to state law enforcement groups and Kansas's U.S. congressional delegation to reinforce this stance.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill condemns pardons for Capitol rioters, signaling support for accountability and stricter enforcement rather than leniency, which aligns with strengthening criminal justice outcomes.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2792: Prohibiting the use of a mobile telephone while operating a motor vehicle in school or construction zones and providing penalties for violations thereof.

This bill prohibits drivers from using mobile phones without hands-free devices while operating vehicles in school zones or construction zones where workers are present. It applies to all drivers except law enforcement and emergency personnel, those safely stopped, or those using hands-free equipment. The law includes exceptions for reporting crimes, preventing injuries, summoning emergency help, and certain professional communications. Violations will result in warning citations that expire on July 1, 2027, and police cannot confiscate phones without consent except under specific legal conditions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances public safety by restricting distracted driving in high-risk zones, reducing accidents and potential criminal incidents.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enhances transportation safety by restricting mobile phone use in high-risk zones, protecting workers and students.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Driver Licensing Traffic Safety

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died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 494: Expanding the definition of stalking to include more technology-based methods, requiring law enforcement agencies to adopt policies for making primary aggressor assessments when responding to domestic violence calls and requiring a prosecutor to affirm such assessment was completed, prohibiting public agencies from charging fees to victims of domestic violence for public records, allowing evidence of other domestic violence offenses to be admissible in a criminal action in which the defendant is accused of a domestic violence offense, adding certain contact to options for protection from abuse or stalking orders and allowing lifetime extensions of protection from abuse orders for victims of domestic battery.

SB 494 expands Kansas' stalking definition to include technology-based harassment, such as online monitoring or digital tracking, making it easier to prosecute digital stalking. It requires police to assess the primary aggressor in domestic violence calls and mandates prosecutors to confirm this assessment before filing charges. The bill also bans public agencies from charging domestic violence victims fees for public records and allows prior domestic violence incidents to be used as evidence in new cases. Additionally, it adds specific contact restrictions to protection orders and permits lifetime extensions of these orders for victims of domestic battery.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands stalking definition to tech harassment, mandates primary aggressor assessments in DV calls, bans victim fees for records, and allows prior DV evidence - advancing victim protections and accountability in criminal justice.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExpands stalking definition to include digital tracking/harassment, strengthening privacy protections against tech-enabled abuse per bill's core focus on technology-based stalking.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Law Enforcement Policing

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died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 486: Creating a civil cause of action for violations of the constitution or laws of the United States by any person acting under the color of law.

SB 486 creates a new legal right for individuals harmed by government officials (like police or jailers) who violate their constitutional or federal rights. It allows victims to sue for damages if they were threatened, harmed physically, had property damaged, or suffered emotional distress due to the official's actions. The law explicitly blocks common defenses like "I thought it was legal" or "I didn’t know the law," and permits punitive damages if the violation was motivated by bias against race, gender, religion, or other protected traits. The Kansas Attorney General can also sue on behalf of victims to seek compensation and legal remedies.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates civil liability for law enforcement violating rights, removes 'I didn't know' defenses, and allows punitive damages for bias - directly enhancing police accountability in criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Policing

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died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2658: 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.

HB 2658, the "Safe and Transparent Arrest Act," requires all Kansas law enforcement agencies to adopt written policies by July 2026 governing when officers may wear facial coverings. The bill prohibits officers from wearing masks or gear that conceal their face during duties, except for specific, limited situations like undercover operations, tactical safety, medical use, or compliance with health regulations. Violations could lead to civil lawsuits seeking at least $10,000 in damages or a misdemeanor charge. The law directly affects Kansas law enforcement agencies and officers, aiming to increase transparency during police interactions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires transparent officer identification during arrests, enhancing accountability - directly aligns with criminal justice reform indicators for police oversight.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 501: Requiring law enforcement agencies to adopt policies related to racial and other biased-based policing using technology and criminalizing violation of racial and other biased-based policing policies.

SB 501 requires all Kansas law enforcement agencies to adopt written policies prohibiting racial and biased-based policing, directly affecting every state police department, sheriff's office, and municipal force. Key provisions mandate annual training for officers using technology (including distance learning), clear definitions of prohibited conduct, discipline for violations, community advisory boards in eligible areas, and public complaint procedures. Agencies must submit annual reports to the attorney general detailing complaints, training compliance, and policy implementation, with violations of these policies classified as a class A nonperson misdemeanor. The bill aims to standardize accountability through transparent policies and public reporting, without specifying enforcement outcomes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates policies against racial/biased policing, requiring training, discipline, and community input to advance police accountability and criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2706: Prohibiting certain federal law enforcement officers from entering hospitals, schools and places of worship under certain circumstances and prohibiting law enforcement officers from wearing a facial covering that conceals or obscures their facial identity in the performance of their duties with certain exceptions.

HB 2706 bans federal law enforcement officers (like ICE or Customs agents) from conducting enforcement actions - including arrests, searches, or immigration-related interviews - in hospitals, schools, or places of worship within Kansas. It also requires all law enforcement officers (state and federal) to wear visible identification (like a name tag) and prohibits facial coverings that hide their face during public interactions, with exceptions for undercover work, protective gear, medical masks, or safety equipment. The bill directly affects federal officers operating in Kansas and all local law enforcement officers interacting with the public. It aims to increase transparency during police encounters and restrict federal immigration enforcement in sensitive community spaces.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts federal enforcement in hospitals/schools/worship spaces and mandates visible ID, enhancing accountability and protecting civil rights per criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBans federal immigration enforcement (e.g., ICE) in hospitals, schools, and places of worship, protecting immigrant access to services and limiting federal enforcement actions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2754: Enacting the providing civil relief from coerced debt act to provide protections and remedies for victims of certain debts constituting a coerced debt because of actions by another individual within the context of domestic violence.

HB 2754 creates a legal process for domestic violence victims to dispute debts incurred through abuse. It defines "coerced debt" as personal debts (not secured by property) resulting from tactics like fraud, intimidation, or misuse of personal information during domestic violence. Victims who provide a "statement of coerced debt" plus documentation (e.g., police reports, court orders, or verified third-party statements) can force creditors to stop collection efforts, remove negative credit reports, return payments, and halt lawsuits within 10 business days. The law specifically targets debts caused by economic abuse, such as restricting access to money or stealing resources, and applies only to personal debts.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects domestic violence victims' civil rights by enabling debt dispute, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of victim empowerment and reducing systemic exploitation.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Policing

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died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2324: Increasing the criminal penalty for possessing or refusing to surrender any firearm in or on any school property or grounds.

HB 2324 increases criminal penalties for possessing or refusing to surrender a firearm on school property or grounds in Kansas. It directly affects individuals (excluding law enforcement officers) who bring firearms to school buildings, grounds, or school-sponsored activities for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. The bill adds specific provisions to existing law, making it a crime to either possess a firearm in these areas or refuse to immediately surrender one when requested by school staff or police. Penalties apply regardless of whether the person knew they were on school property or had reason to know the firearm was present. This bill modifies K.S.A. 21-6301 to strengthen restrictions on firearms in school settings.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases criminal penalties for school firearm possession, expanding criminalization of non-law enforcement individuals on school grounds - directly aligns with 'oppose' indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Policing

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died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 62: Creating the crime of engaging in a street stunt, providing criminal penalties therefor and adding engaging in a street stunt to the list of crimes included in fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer.

SB 62 creates a new criminal offense in Kansas called "engaging in a street stunt," defined as operating two or more vehicles in a group while repeatedly violating traffic laws (like speeding, improper lane changes, or reckless driving) in a way that disrupts traffic flow, forces other drivers to stop or take evasive action for safety, damages property, or causes injury. Penalties include a Class A misdemeanor for first-time offenses involving traffic disruption, and felonies for causing damage or injury, with harsher penalties for repeat violations. The bill also amends existing law to include this new crime as a reason for additional charges when drivers flee or attempt to elude police. This law directly affects Kansas drivers who engage in such stunts, making them subject to these new criminal penalties.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new crime for traffic disruptions with penalties, expanding criminalization beyond existing laws and increasing enforcement focus on minor traffic violations.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill criminalizes dangerous driving that disrupts traffic flow and endangers others, enhancing road safety standards per transportation topic description.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Traffic Safety

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