Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas House Bill HB2707

Introduced
2/4/26  

Caption

Modifying the definition of abuse in the protection from abuse act to include certain acts or threats related to pets and specifying that courts may include orders relating to pets in protection from abuse act orders.

Impact

If enacted, HB 2707 could significantly impact how courts handle domestic abuse cases involving pets. The modification to the existing law would empower victims of domestic abuse to seek legal protection not only for themselves but also for their pets, thus addressing a crucial aspect of their domestic situation. It is anticipated that this could help reduce instances of further psychological harm to victims, who might otherwise feel compelled to stay in abusive situations due to their concern for their pets' safety. The bill also supports animal welfare by directly connecting pet safety with domestic violence protections.

Summary

House Bill 2707 modifies the definition of abuse within the context of the Protection from Abuse Act. Specifically, the bill aims to include acts or threats against pets as a basis for abuse allegations. This inclusion recognizes the importance of pets in familial relationships and acknowledges that threats to pets can be a form of coercive control in situations of domestic abuse. By expanding the definition of abuse, the bill seeks to provide additional protections to those affected by domestic violence and their pets, allowing courts to issue orders related to pets in conjunction with other protection orders.

Contention

While the inclusion of pets in domestic abuse protections is seen as progressive, it may face opposition from some quarters. Critics may argue about the challenges it poses for legal definitions, enforcement of these new provisions, and potential implications for custody disputes in domestic abuse cases involving pets. Concerns may also arise regarding the adequacy of evidentiary standards required to substantiate claims involving threats to pets. Overall, the discussion around HB 2707 reflects a growing recognition of the bond between humans and their pets, alongside a commitment to enhancing protections for vulnerable individuals.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

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 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 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 SB8

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

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 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 SCR1601

Informing the Governor that the two houses of the Legislature are organized and ready to receive communications.

KS SCR1603

Proposing to amend section 1 of article 11 of the constitution of the state of Kansas to limit property tax valuation increases for residential property.

KS HB2002

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

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.