Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas Senate Bill SB111

Introduced
1/29/25  

Caption

Prohibiting fines and fees from being assessed against a juvenile or a juvenile's parent, guardian or custodian in a case pursuant to the revised Kansas juvenile justice code.

Impact

As a result of SB111, any outstanding financial obligations that have been assessed against a juvenile or their guardian during the course of juvenile court actions will be discharged on and after July 1, 2025. This aims to prevent individuals from being incarcerated solely due to nonpayment of fines, promoting a system focused on rehabilitation rather than punishment. The bill indicates a significant shift in policy aiming to address systemic issues within the juvenile justice system, as it prioritizes the welfare of juveniles over punitive measures.

Summary

Senate Bill 111 aims to reform the Kansas juvenile justice system by prohibiting the assessment of fines, fees, and costs against juveniles or their guardians during juvenile court proceedings. This legislation is designed to alleviate financial burdens that could hinder rehabilitation efforts and prevent further engagement with the justice system. By eliminating such financial penalties, the bill seeks to create a more equitable system for juveniles, particularly those from low-income families, who might struggle to meet these obligations.

Contention

Notably, the bill has encountered some contention regarding how it might impact the overall accountability framework within the juvenile justice system. Critics may argue that by removing financial penalties, there could be reduced incentive for juveniles to comply with court orders and participate actively in rehabilitation programs. Additionally, there are concerns from some legislative members about the potential impacts on county revenues that fund juvenile services, as these funds often come from fines and fees imposed during court proceedings. Proponents argue that the long-term benefits of reduced recidivism and stronger community ties far outweigh these criticisms.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

KS HB2002

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

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 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 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 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 SCR1602

Approving the creation of a port authority in Wyandotte County Kansas.

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 SB8

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

KS SB6

Providing a sales tax exemption for sales of electricity to residential premises by municipally owned or operated utilities.

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.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.