Kansas has more than 100 new laws, here are 10 you should know
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — July 1, 2024, marks an important day for the State of Kansas.
Since the start of the year, 113 new laws and revisions have been made throughout the state. And now, at the start of the second half of the year, 101 of those laws are going into effect.
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Here are a few bills adopted into Kansas law today:
STAR Bonds — Special Session HB 2001
The STAR Bonds bill was passed on June 18 during the 2024 Special Session.
This law amends the STAR Bond program, allowing the state to invest in projects involving one or two major professional sports complexes and franchises, and would require a minimum investment of $1 billion.
Specifically, Kansas has had its eyes set on the Kansas City Chiefs and the Royals. Both teams are evaluating their options after the Jackson County, Mo. stadium tax vote did not pass in April 2024.
Beer and Hard Cider — S. Sub. for HB 2124
Senate Substitute for House Bill number 2124 relates specifically to microbreweries and allows owners to sell beer and hard cider without having to go through a distributor.
According to the bill, the sale of beer and hard cider by licensed retailers can be done at public venues, clubs, drinking establishments and other special events. The exceptions to the rules, however, are that the beverages must be unopened, the special event monitored, and again, retailers must have a license.
Organized Crime and Encouraging Suicide — S. Sub. for HB 2144
Kansas House Bill 2144 states that organized retail crime (also known as racketeering) and encouraging someone to commit or attempt suicide can result in criminal penalties.
Organized retail crime includes acting in a group to receive, purchase, sell or possess merchandise that has been stolen with the ability to be prosecuted for at least $1 in aggregate retail market value taken.
The crime of encouraging someone to commit or attempt suicide includes oral, written and visual communications that advise or influence someone’s decision to take their own life.
Abortion — S. Sub. for HB 2749 and 2436
Although abortion is legal in Kansas before the 22nd week of pregnancy, Senate Substitute for House Bill 2749 will require abortion providers to ask their patients why they want to terminate their pregnancies and then inform the state of the patient’s answers.
As for the Senate Substitute for House Bill 2436, the act of coercion and compelling a woman who does not want to terminate their pregnancy to have an abortion is also illegal. This includes threatening to harm or physically restrain the woman, the creation of a plan or scheme to abort a baby, abusing or threatening the legal system (threatening deportation or arrest), and any other form of harm or extortion.
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Purple Alert Plan — HB 2531
The Kansas Purple Alert Plan provides the public with a notice of a missing person with intellectual or developmental disabilities through broadcast mediums and with the help of news media and law enforcement.
According to the Legislature of the State of Kansas, some of the key defining qualities of a missing person under a Purple Alert include:
Is 18 years of age or older;
has been diagnosed with an intellectual disability;
whose whereabouts are unknown;
is believed to be in imminent danger of serious bodily injury or death because of such disability; and
is believed to be unable to return to safety without assistance.
This law will be adopted by the office of the attorney general, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, local law enforcement agencies and other public and private organizations.
Unemployment Compensation — Sub for HB 2570
The Substitute for House Bill 2570 concerns state unemployment insurance and its benefits to Kansas residents.
According to the Office of the Kansas Governor, the bill “updates employment security law to ensure the integrity of the unemployment insurance system and balance employer contributions with their utilization of the system.”
The bill also defines benefit years, temporary unemployment, and eligibility requirements, and aims to modernize Kansas’ employment insurance software.
Harm to Law Enforcement Animals — HB 2583
House Bill 2583 increases the criminal penalty and requires restitution for harming, disabling or killing law enforcement animals, including police dogs, arson dogs, assistance dogs, game warden dogs, search and rescue dogs, and police horses.
The restitution would consist of paying for veterinary medical treatment, funeral and burial expenses, and the replacement of the animal.
A person convicted of such crimes would be sentenced to no less than 30 days and no more than one year of imprisonment. They would also be fined between $500 and $5,000 and would not be eligible for release on probation, suspension or reduction of a sentence or parole until they have served the minimum 30-day mandatory sentence.
However, minimum sentencing and fines can increase depending on whether the person harmed or killed the law enforcement animal while trying to escape custody.
Leaving the Scene of a Crash — HB 2665
Under House Bill 2665, criminal penalties for a driver who leaves the scene of a crash that results in death, great bodily harm and injury are increased.
Specifically, the bill says the driver should immediately stop at the scene of the crash and, if possible, remain there until they have fulfilled their “requirements.”
Leaving the scene of an injury or fatal crash could result in multiple felonies and substantial fines.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Book program — SB 195
According to Senate Bill 195, the Children’s Cabinet is expected to establish a nonprofit corporation to raise funds that will benefit Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library book gifting program.
This program encourages reading by providing the children of Kansas from birth to 5 years old with free, age-appropriate books mailed directly to their door.
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The bill requires the nonprofit organization to have a board of directors consisting of Children’s Cabinet members, the executive director of the Children’s Cabinet, and other directors designated by the Children’s Cabinet.
It also states that, because it is a nonprofit, the organization should always donate gifts, monetary compensation and grants to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program to promote reading for the children of Kansas.
Adult Websites — SB 394
Senate Bill 394 requires age verification for internet content that could be “harmful to minors.”
According to the bill, any commercial entity that knowingly shares, hosts or creates content that could harm minors online and has adult content on at least 25% of its web pages in any calendar month must verify that a person attempting to access the site is 18 years or older.
If a person is able to access one of these adult websites without verifying their age, they are encouraged to report it to the attorney general. Upon investigation, the attorney general could enact civil penalties.
Click on the following link to see all of the laws that take hold in Kansas as of Monday.
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