Kansas Senate Bill SB183

Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/4/25
• Refer: 2/5/25

Caption

Creating the crimes of interference with a security camera in a correctional facility and aggravated interference with a security camera in a correctional facility and providing criminal penalties therefor.

Summary

SB 183 creates two new criminal offenses related to security cameras in correctional settings. The bill makes it a crime to intentionally cover a security camera in a correctional facility without authorization, and it creates a more serious offense for intentionally removing, damaging, or rendering such a camera inoperable. The aggravated offense also applies when those acts occur during a riot at the facility. The bill defines “correctional facility” broadly to include city, county, or consolidated law enforcement jails and correctional facilities, state correctional institutions, and juvenile detention facilities. It also defines “security camera” broadly to include analog or digital cameras and other devices capable of recording or transmitting images. The measure adds these offenses to the Kansas criminal code and assigns penalties ranging from a class A nonperson misdemeanor to nonperson felonies at severity levels 9 and 6, depending on the conduct involved.

Impact

SB 183 would expand Kansas criminal law by adding specific offenses protecting surveillance equipment in correctional facilities. It would give prosecutors new tools to charge inmates or others who interfere with cameras used for monitoring safety, security, and evidence preservation in jails, prisons, and juvenile detention centers. The bill would not alter sentencing generally, but it would create new nonperson misdemeanor and felony penalties tied to interference with correctional-facility security cameras.

Sentiment

No committee transcript or recorded vote information was provided, so there is no documented debate or formal vote history to gauge support or opposition. Based on the bill’s subject matter and structure, it appears to be a targeted public-safety and correctional-security measure rather than a broad policy change. The available record suggests a neutral, technical approach focused on facility security and enforcement.

Contention

No specific points of contention are documented in the provided materials. Potential areas of concern, if raised in debate, could include whether the penalties are proportionate, whether the bill could be applied to minor misconduct versus serious sabotage, and how broadly the term “without authority” might be interpreted in correctional settings. However, no speakers, amendments, or votes are available here to attribute any such concerns to particular legislators or stakeholders.