The ACLU of Kansas is never busier than when the Legislature is in session. Either independently or with our partners in various and diverse coalitions, we work to protect civil liberties for all Kansans by either placing, supporting, altering, or defeating legislation that would threaten those civil liberties.
People with serious mental illness who are charged with crimes and who are unable to assist in their own defense may be ordered by the criminal court to undergo a competency evaluation, and, depending on the results of that evaluation, be ordered to receive…
There is a strong coalition of citizens and organizations who will speak to how this bill undermines the ability of schools and teachers to teach the truth about our history and our modern world. In light of this, our testimony will focus on the attempt to ban books from…
In recent years, organizations spanning the political spectrum have spoken against current civil asset forfeiture laws. These laws have been called many things: highway robbery. Policing for profit. An unconstitutional attack on the basic rights of citizens. HB 2640 addresses critical…
The ACLU of Kansas opposes the passage of SB 394. This bill is one of many election-related bills introduced this session that limits the voting rights of Kansans for no discernable reason. The current 3-day grace period is necessary to allow voters, the USPS, and election clerks…
Currently, individuals whose property is confiscated under Kansas civil asset forfeiture laws face an uphill battle in retrieving their property from law enforcement. You do not need to be arrested or convicted of a crime for law enforcement to seize and permanently keep your…
Imagine someone you know is arrested for possession of methamphetamine with the intent to sell. They are convicted and sent to prison. Following release and post-release supervision, they are ready to put their mistakes behind them and make different choices. Instead, they find…