Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas House Bill HB2527

Introduced
1/23/26  
Refer
1/23/26  
Report Pass
2/17/26  
Engrossed
2/25/26  
Refer
2/26/26  

Caption

Prohibiting certain sex offenders from entering onto school property or attending school activities, prohibiting courts from assigning a defendant to work release if the defendant is required to register as a sex offender for certain crimes and prohibiting the secretary of corrections from granting an inmate leave from confinement except for specified purposes if theinmate is required to register as a sex offender for certain crimes or is serving a sentence for certain crimes that require registration as a sex offender.

Impact

The impact of HB2527 on state laws would be significant, as it creates a direct limitation on the ability of courts to exercise discretion in assigning defendants to work release programs. By instituting a blanket prohibition based on prior sex offender status, the legislation changes how the state approaches rehabilitation within the correctional system. Supporters of the bill may argue that these measures are necessary to ensure the safety of the public and uphold the integrity of the correctional process. However, the implications for rehabilitation efforts are substantial, as individuals with prior convictions may find it more difficult to reintegrate into society.

Summary

House Bill 2527 seeks to implement stricter regulations regarding the assignment of defendants to work release programs and educational release programs within the corrections system. Specifically, the bill prohibits courts from assigning defendants to work release if they have any prior convictions that require registration as a sex offender. This provision aims to enhance public safety by restricting access to rehabilitation programs for individuals with serious prior offenses, thereby prioritizing the protection of the community. Additionally, the bill prohibits the Secretary of Corrections from granting inmates in such categories leave from confinement for these types of programs, further limiting their rehabilitation opportunities.

Contention

In discussions surrounding HB2527, notable contention exists regarding the balance between public safety and the potential for rehabilitation. Advocates for the bill emphasize the necessity of protecting the public from individuals who have demonstrated a history of serious offenses, while opponents argue that the legislation may unfairly penalize those who have served their time and are attempting to reintegrate into society. Critics contend that restricting access to work and educational release programs could exacerbate recidivism rates by hindering rehabilitation efforts, thereby undermining the ultimate goal of creating safer communities.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

KS SB7

Authorizing federally licensed firearm dealers, in addition to county sheriffs, to receive applications for concealed carry licenses and forward such applications to the attorney general, prohibiting sheriffs from assessing any fee related to application services and allowing dealers to assess a fee related to application services not to exceed $20.

KS HB2003

Establishing the veterans' valor property tax relief act providing for an income tax credit or refund for eligible individuals, modifying the definition of household income and increasing the appraised value threshold for eligibility of seniors and disabled veterans related to increased property tax claims and citing the section as the homeowners' property tax freeze program, providing property tax exemptions for certain personal property including watercraft, marine equipment, off-road vehicles, motorized bicycles and certain trailers, excluding internal revenue code section 1031 exchange transactions as indicators of fair market value, providing for certain exclusions from the prohibition of paying taxes under protest after a valuation notice appeal and providing four prior years' values on the annual valuation notice.

KS SB1

Modifying income tax rates for individuals, exempting all social security benefits from Kansas income tax, increasing the Kansas standard deduction and the Kansas personal exemption, increasing the income tax credit amount for household and dependent care expenses, decreasing the privilege tax normal tax, excluding internal revenue code section 1031 exchange transactions as indicators of fair market value for property tax valuation purposes, increasing the extent of property tax exemption for residential property from the statewide school levy, providing for certain transfers to the state school district finance fund and abolishing the local ad valorem tax reduction fund and the county and city revenue sharing fund.

KS SB2

Eliminating the income limit to qualify for the subtraction modification exempting social security benefits, increasing the income tax credit amount for household and dependent care expenses, establishing the veterans' valor property tax relief act providing for an income tax credit or refund for eligible individuals, citing the increased property tax homestead refund claim section as the homeowners' property tax freeze program, decreasing the normal privilege tax rate, increasing the extent of property tax exemption for residential property from the statewide school levy, decreasing the rate of ad valorem tax imposed by a school district; providing for certain transfers to the state school district finance fund, reducing the state rate of tax on sales of food and food ingredients and modifying the percent credited to the state highway fund from revenue collected.

KS HB2001

Authorizing the secretary of commerce to enter into agreements with major professional sports franchises to establish STAR bond projects for a major professional sports complex, providing for additional revenue sources, expanding the powers and discretion of the secretary and making other changes to the STAR bonds financing act to facilitate such projects, limiting the secretary’s authority to approve such projects to one year unless extended by the legislative coordinating council, authorizing the Kansas development finance authority to issue STAR bonds for such projects, transferring funds under certain circumstances from the state gaming revenues fund to the attracting professional sports to Kansas fund for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, and, if approved by the legislative coordinating council, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026.

KS SB8

Exempting the sale of firearms, firearms accessories, ammunition, firearm safes and firearm safety devices from the retatilers' sales tax.

KS SCR1604

Proposing to amend section 1 of article 11 of the constitution of the state of Kansas to limit property tax valuation increases for real property and personal property mobile homes.

KS HR6002

Providing for assignment of seats in the House of Representatives for the 2024 special session of the Legislature.

KS HB2002

Expanding medical assistance eligibility and enacting the cutting healthcare costs for all Kansans act.

KS SR1703

Recognizing November 14, 2024, as Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.