Legislation
All Legislation
Feb 11, 2022
[Support] Proponent Testimony for HB 2366 - Requiring prosecutors to disclose their intent to introduce testimony from a jailhouse witness
Unreliable testimony from so-called “jailhouse informants” is a key component of wrongful convictions and a contributing factor to systemic inequality in our criminal legal system. There is a well-documented history of misleading or false information provided by jailhouse…
Feb 11, 2022
[Support] Proponent Testimony for HB 2515 – Relief from KORA requirements
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…
Feb 11, 2022
[Support] Proponent Testimony for SB 367 – Regarding property seized by law enforcement
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…
Feb 10, 2022
[Oppose] Opponent Testimony for HB 2538 – Preliminary hearing time requirement; two-way audio-visual; hearsay evidence
The ACLU of Kansas is opposed to HB 2538 for three crucial reasons: the use of two-way electronic communications in this context is a violation of the Sixth Amendment’s Confrontation Clause; “reasonable time” is a vague, immeasurable standard…
Feb 10, 2022
[Support] Proponent Testimony for HB 2575 – Automatically expunging acquitted or dismissed charges
The ACLU of Kansas strongly supports HB 2575, requiring criminal records to be automatically expunged in cases of acquittal or dismissal. A criminal record of any kind impacts your life long after charges are dismissed. These impacts, outlined below, constrain individual’s ability…
Feb 10, 2022
[Support] Proponent Testimony for HB 2557 – Prohibiting denial of expungement due to unpaid fines and fees
The ACLU of Kansas supports HB 2557, prohibiting the denial of expungement due to a juvenile’s inability to pay fines and fees. Involvement in the criminal legal system can lead to thousands of dollars in debt. For adults, this is a heavy burden—for young people…
Feb 10, 2022
[Support] Proponent Testimony for HB 2556 – Prohibiting denial of expungement due to unpaid fines and fees
Poverty should not be a barrier to justice. Based on this premise, the ACLU of Kansas strongly supports HB 2556, prohibiting the denial of expungement due to inability to pay fines and fees.
Jan 28, 2022
[Support] HB 2133 — Requiring a law enforcement officer executing a search warrant at residential premises to be uniformed and to knock and announce themselves before entering the property
The ACLU of Kansas supports the passage of HB 2133 restricting the use of so-called “no-knock warrants” as a first step toward banning this dangerous practice. No-knock warrants rely on the element of surprise and, because of this, they can have tragic consequences.
Jan 28, 2022
[Support] SB 321/HB2471 — Prohibiting the use of restraints during hearings under the revised Kansas juvenile justice code and authorizing exceptions if the court holds a hearing and makes certain findings on the record
The ACLU of Kansas supports the passage of the proposed bill prohibiting the unjustified shackling of juveniles appearing before Kansas courts. Shackling children causes physical and emotional damage while creating bias against them in court, infringing upon their rights…
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