Session of 1998
                   
SENATE BILL No. 550
         
By Committee on Judiciary
         
1-30
            9             AN ACT concerning crimes, punishment and criminal procedure; relating
10             to capital murder and the sentence of death; amending K.S.A. 21-4631,
11             21-4634, 21-4635 and 22-3705 and K.S.A. 1997 Supp. 21-3105, 21-
12             4706, 22-3717, 22-4505 and 22-4506 and repealing the existing sec-
13             tions; also repealing K.S.A. 21-3439, 21-4622, 21-4623, 21-4624,
14             21-4625, 21-4626, 21-4627, 21-4629, 21-4630, 22-3704, 22-4001, 22-
15             4002, 22-4003, 22-4004, 22-4005, 22-4006, 22-4009, 22-4011, 22-4012,
16             22-4013, 22-4014, 22-4015 and 22-4016.
17            
18       Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Kansas:
19           New Section 1. (a) For any person who is being charged with capital
20       murder, as defined in K.S.A. 21-3439, as it existed prior to its repeal, such
21       charge shall be amended to reflect the repeal of K.S.A. 21-3439 as pro-
22       vided in this act and such person shall be charged as otherwise provided
23       by law.
24           (b) For any person who has been convicted of capital murder, as
25       defined in K.S.A. 21-3439, as it existed prior to its repeal, and has not
26       been sentenced, such person shall be sentenced pursuant to K.S.A. 21-
27       4638 and amendments thereto.
28           (c) For any person who has been convicted of capital murder, as
29       defined in K.S.A. 21-3439, as it existed prior to its repeal, and has been
30       sentenced to death, such person shall have the sentence modified and be
31       resentenced by the sentencing court pursuant to K.S.A. 21-4638 and
32       amendments thereto.
33           (d) For any person who is convicted of an act which was committed
34       prior to the effective date of this act which would have been a violation
35       of capital murder, as defined in K.S.A. 21-3439, as it existed prior to its
36       repeal, such person shall be sentenced pursuant to K.S.A. 21-4638, and
37       amendments thereto.
38           Sec. 2. K.S.A. 1997 Supp. 21-3105 is hereby amended to read as
39       follows: 21-3105. A crime is an act or omission defined by law and for
40       which, upon conviction, a sentence of death, imprisonment or fine, or
41       both imprisonment and fine, is authorized or, in the case of a traffic
42       infraction, a fine is authorized. Crimes are classified as felonies, misde-
43       meanors and traffic infractions.

SB 550

2

  1           (1) A felony is a crime punishable by death or by imprisonment in
  2       any state correctional institution or a crime which is defined as a felony
  3       by law.
  4           (2) A traffic infraction is a violation of any of the statutory provisions
  5       listed in subsection (c) of K.S.A. 8-2118 and amendments thereto.
  6           (3) A cigarette or tobacco infraction is a violation of subsection (m)
  7       or (n) of K.S.A. 79-3321 and amendments thereto.
  8           (4) All other crimes are misdemeanors.
  9           Sec. 3. K.S.A. 21-4631 is hereby amended to read as follows: 21-
10       4631. (a) K.S.A. 21-4622 through 21-4630, and amendments thereto, shall
11       be supplemental to and a part of the Kansas criminal code.
12           (b)The provisions of K.S.A. 21-4622 through 21-4630, as they existed
13       immediately prior to July 1, 1994, shall be applicable only to persons
14       convicted of crimes committed on or after July 1, 1990, and before July
15       1, 1994.
16           (c) The provisions of K.S.A. 21-4622 through 21-4627 and 21-4629
17       and 21-4630, as amended by this act, shall be applicable only to persons
18       convicted of crimes committed on or after July 1, 1994.
19           Sec. 4. K.S.A. 21-4634 is hereby amended to read as follows: 21-
20       4634. (a) If a defendant is convicted of the crime of ;@pital murder and
21       a sentence of death is not imposed, or if a defendant is convicted of the
22       crime of murder in the first degree based upon the finding of premedi-
23       tated murder, the defendant's counsel or the director of the correctional
24       institution or sheriff having custody of the defendant may request a de-
25       termination by the court of whether the defendant is mentally retarded.
26       If the court determines that there is not sufficient reason to believe that
27       the defendant is mentally retarded, the court shall so find and the defen-
28       dant shall be sentenced in accordance with K.S.A. 21-4635 through 21-
29       4638 and amendments thereto. If the court determines that there is suf-
30       ficient reason to believe that the defendant is mentally retarded, the court
31       shall conduct a hearing to determine whether the defendant is mentally
32       retarded.
33           (b) At the hearing, the court shall determine whether the defendant
34       is mentally retarded. The court shall order a psychiatric or psychological
35       examination of the defendant. For that purpose, the court shall appoint
36       two licensed physicians or licensed psychologists, or one of each, qualified
37       by training and practice to make such examination, to examine the de-
38       fendant and report their findings in writing to the judge within 10 days
39       after the order of examination is issued. The defendant shall have the
40       right to present evidence and cross-examine any witnesses at the hearing.
41       No statement made by the defendant in the course of any examination
42       provided for by this section, whether or not the defendant consents to
43       the examination, shall be admitted in evidence against the defendant in

SB 550

3

  1       any criminal proceeding.
  2           (c) If, at the conclusion of a hearing pursuant to this section, the court
  3       determines that the defendant is not mentally retarded, the defendant
  4       shall be sentenced in accordance with K.S.A. 21-4635 through 21-4638
  5       and amendments thereto.
  6           (d) If, at the conclusion of a hearing pursuant to this section, the court
  7       determines that the defendant is mentally retarded, the court shall sen-
  8       tence the defendant as otherwise provided by law, and no mandatory term
  9       of imprisonment shall be imposed hereunder.
10           (e) Unless otherwise ordered by the court for good cause shown, the
11       provisions of this section shall not apply if it has been determined, pur-
12       suant to K.S.A. 21-4623 and amendments thereto, that the defendant is
13       not mentally retarded.
14           (f) As used in this section, ``mentally retarded'' means having signif-
15       icantly subaverage general intellectual functioning, as defined by K.S.A.
16       76-12b01 and amendments thereto, to an extent which substantially im-
17       pairs one's capacity to appreciate the criminality of one's conduct or to
18       conform one's conduct to the requirements of law.
19           Sec. 5. K.S.A. 21-4635 is hereby amended to read as follows: 21-
20       4635. (a) Except as provided in K.S.A. 21-4634 and amendments thereto,
21       if a defendant is convicted of the crime of ;@pital murder and a sentence
22       of death is not imposed, or if a defendant is convicted of murder in the
23       first degree based upon the finding of premeditated murder, the court
24       shall determine whether the defendant shall be required to serve a man-
25       datory term of imprisonment of 40 years or sentenced as otherwise pro-
26       vided by law.
27           (b) In order to make such determination, the court may be presented
28       evidence concerning any matter that the court deems relevant to the
29       question of sentence and shall include matters relating to any of the ag-
30       gravating circumstances enumerated in K.S.A. 21-4636 and amendments
31       thereto, and any mitigating circumstances. Any such evidence which the
32       court deems to have probative value may be received regardless of its
33       admissibility under the rules of evidence, provided that the defendant is
34       accorded a fair opportunity to rebut any hearsay statements. Only such
35       evidence of aggravating circumstances as the state has made known to
36       the defendant prior to the sentencing shall be admissible and no evidence
37       secured in violation of the constitution of the United States or of the state
38       of Kansas shall be admissible. No testimony by the defendant at the time
39       of sentencing shall be admissible against the defendant at any subsequent
40       criminal proceeding. At the conclusion of the evidentiary presentation,
41       the court shall allow the parties a reasonable period of time in which to
42       present oral argument.
43           (c) If the court finds that one or more of the aggravating circum-

SB 550

4

  1       stances enumerated in K.S.A. 21-4636 and amendments thereto exist and,
  2       further, that the existence of such aggravating circumstances is not out-
  3       weighed by any mitigating circumstances which are found to exist, the
  4       defendant shall be sentenced pursuant to K.S.A. 21-4738 and amend-
  5       ments thereto; otherwise, the defendant shall be sentenced as provided
  6       by law. The court shall designate, in writing, the statutory aggravating
  7       circumstances which it found. The court may make the findings required
  8       by this subsection for the purpose of determining whether to sentence a
  9       defendant pursuant to K.S.A. 21-4738 notwithstanding contrary findings
10       made by the jury or court pursuant to subsection (e) of K.S.A. 21-4624
11       and amendments thereto for the purpose of determining whether to sen-
12       tence such defendant to death.
13           Sec. 6. K.S.A. 1997 Supp. 21-4706 is hereby amended to read as
14       follows: 21-4706. (a) For crimes committed on or after July 1, 1993, the
15       sentences sentence of imprisonment shall represent the time a person
16       shall actually serve serves, subject to a reduction of up to 15% of the
17       primary sentence for good time as authorized by law.
18           (b) The sentencing court shall pronounce sentence in all felony cases.
19           (c) Violations of K.S.A. 21-3401, subsection (a) of K.S.A. 21-3402, 21-
20       3439 and 21-3801 and amendments thereto are off-grid crimes for the
21       purpose of sentencing. Except as otherwise provided by K.S.A. 21-4622
22       through 21-4627, and 21-4629 through 21-4631, and amendments
23       thereto, The sentence shall be imprisonment for life.
24           Sec. 7. K.S.A. 22-3705 is hereby amended to read as follows: 22-
25       3705. The governor ;(male symbol)y, when he deems it deemed proper or advisable,
26       may commute a sentence in any criminal case by reducing the penalty as
27       follows:
28           (a) If the sentence is death, to imprisonment for life or for any term
29       not less than ten years;
30           (b) If the sentence is to imprisonment, by reducing the duration of
31       such imprisonment;
32           (c) (b) If the sentence is a fine, by reducing the amount thereof;
33           (d) (c) If the sentence is both imprisonment and fine, by reducing
34       either or both.
35           Sec. 8. K.S.A. 1997 Supp. 22-3717 is hereby amended to read as
36       follows: 22-3717. (a) Except as otherwise provided by this section, K.S.A.
37       1993 Supp. 21-4628 prior to its repeal and K.S.A. 21-4635 through 21-
38       4638 and amendments thereto, an inmate, including an inmate sentenced
39       pursuant to K.S.A. 21-4618 and amendments thereto, shall be eligible for
40       parole after serving the entire minimum sentence imposed by the court,
41       less good time credits.
42           (b) (1) Except as provided by K.S.A. 21-4635 through 21-4638 and
43       amendments thereto, an inmate sentenced to imprisonment for the crime

SB 550

5

  1       of ;@pital murder, or an inmate sentenced for the crime of murder in the
  2       first degree based upon a finding of premeditated murder, committed on
  3       or after July 1, 1994, shall be eligible for parole after serving 25 years of
  4       confinement, without deduction of any good time credits.
  5           (2) Except as provided by subsection (b)(1) or (b)(4), K.S.A. 1993
  6       Supp. 21-4628 prior to its repeal and K.S.A. 21-4635 through 21-4638,
  7       and amendments thereto, an inmate sentenced to imprisonment for an
  8       off-grid offense committed on or after July 1, 1993, shall be eligible for
  9       parole after serving 15 years of confinement, without deduction of any
10       good time credits.
11           (3) Except as provided by K.S.A. 1993 Supp. 21-4628 prior to its
12       repeal, an inmate sentenced for a class A felony committed before July
13       1, 1993, including an inmate sentenced pursuant to K.S.A. 21-4618 and
14       amendments thereto, shall be eligible for parole after serving 15 years of
15       confinement, without deduction of any good time credits.
16           (4) An inmate sentenced to imprisonment for a violation of subsec-
17       tion (a) of K.S.A. 21-3402 and amendments thereto committed on or after
18       July 1, 1996, shall be eligible for parole after serving 10 years of confine-
19       ment without deduction of any good time credits.
20           (c) Except as provided in subsection (e), if an inmate is sentenced to
21       imprisonment for more than one crime and the sentences run consecu-
22       tively, the inmate shall be eligible for parole after serving the total of:
23           (1) The aggregate minimum sentences, as determined pursuant to
24       K.S.A. 21-4608 and amendments thereto, less good time credits for those
25       crimes which are not class A felonies; and
26           (2) an additional 15 years, without deduction of good time credits,
27       for each crime which is a class A felony.
28           (d) (1) Persons sentenced for crimes, other than off-grid crimes,
29       committed on or after July 1, 1993, will not be eligible for parole, but will
30       be released to a mandatory period of postrelease supervision upon com-
31       pletion of the prison portion of their sentence as follows:
32           (A) Except as provided in subparagraphs (C) and (D), persons sen-
33       tenced for nondrug severity level 1 through 6 crimes and drug severity
34       levels 1 through 3 crimes must serve 36 months, plus the amount of good
35       time earned and retained pursuant to K.S.A. 21-4722 and amendments
36       thereto, on postrelease supervision.
37           (B) Except as provided in subparagraphs (C) and (D), persons sen-
38       tenced for nondrug severity level 7 through 10 crimes and drug severity
39       level 4 crimes must serve 24 months, plus the amount of good time earned
40       and retained pursuant to K.S.A. 21-4722 and amendments thereto, on
41       postrelease supervision.
42           (C) (i) The sentencing judge shall impose the postrelease supervision
43       period provided in subparagraph (d)(1)(A) or (d)(1)(B), unless the judge

SB 550

6

  1       finds substantial and compelling reasons to impose a departure based
  2       upon a finding that the current crime of conviction was sexually violent
  3       or sexually motivated. In that event, departure may be imposed to extend
  4       the postrelease supervision to a period of up to 60 months.
  5           (ii) If the sentencing judge departs from the presumptive postrelease
  6       supervision period, the judge shall state on the record at the time of
  7       sentencing the substantial and compelling reasons for the departure. De-
  8       partures in this section are subject to appeal pursuant to K.S.A. 21-4721
  9       and amendments thereto.
10           (iii) In determining whether substantial and compelling reasons exist,
11       the court shall consider:
12           (a) Written briefs or oral arguments submitted by either the defen-
13       dant or the state;
14           (b) any evidence received during the proceeding;
15           (c) the presentence report, the victim's impact statement and any
16       psychological evaluation as ordered by the court pursuant to subsection
17       (e) of K.S.A. 21-4714 and amendments thereto; and
18           (d) any other evidence the court finds trustworthy and reliable.
19           (iv) The sentencing judge may order that a psychological evaluation
20       be prepared and the recommended programming be completed by the
21       offender. The department of corrections or the parole board shall ensure
22       that court ordered sex offender treatment be carried out.
23           (v) In carrying out the provisions of subparagraph (d)(1)(C), the court
24       shall refer to K.S.A. 21-4718 and amendments thereto.
25           (vi) Upon petition, the parole board may provide for early discharge
26       from the postrelease supervision period upon completion of court or-
27       dered programs and completion of the presumptive postrelease super-
28       vision period, as determined by the crime of conviction, pursuant to sub-
29       paragraph (d)(1)(A) or (B). Early discharge from postrelease supervision
30       is at the discretion of the parole board.
31           (vii) Persons convicted of crimes deemed sexually violent or sexually
32       motivated, shall be registered according to the habitual sex offender reg-
33       istration act, K.S.A. 22-4901 through 22-4910 and amendments thereto.
34           (D) The period of postrelease supervision provided in subparagraphs
35       (A) and (B) may be reduced by up to 12 months based on the offender's
36       compliance with conditions of supervision and overall performance while
37       on postrelease supervision. The reduction in the supervision period shall
38       be on an earned basis pursuant to rules and regulations adopted by the
39       secretary of corrections.
40           (E) In cases where sentences for crimes from more than one severity
41       level have been imposed, the highest severity level offense will dictate
42       the period of postrelease supervision. Supervision periods will not aggre-
43       gate.

SB 550

7

  1           (2) As used in this section, ``sexually violent crime'' means:
  2           (A) Rape, K.S.A. 21-3502, and amendments thereto;
  3           (B) indecent liberties with a child, K.S.A. 21-3503, and amendments
  4       thereto;
  5           (C) aggravated indecent liberties with a child, K.S.A. 21-3504, and
  6       amendments thereto;
  7           (D) criminal sodomy, subsection (a)(2) and (a)(3) of K.S.A. 21-3505
  8       and amendments thereto;
  9           (E) aggravated criminal sodomy, K.S.A. 21-3506, and amendments
10       thereto;
11           (F) indecent solicitation of a child, K.S.A. 21-3510, and amendments
12       thereto;
13           (G) aggravated indecent solicitation of a child, K.S.A. 21-3511, and
14       amendments thereto;
15           (H) sexual exploitation of a child, K.S.A. 21-3516, and amendments
16       thereto;
17           (I) aggravated sexual battery, K.S.A. 21-3518, and amendments
18       thereto;
19           (J) any conviction for a felony offense in effect at any time prior to
20       the effective date of this act, that is comparable to a sexually violent crime
21       as defined in subparagraphs (A) through (I), or any federal or other state
22       conviction for a felony offense that under the laws of this state would be
23       a sexually violent crime as defined in this section;
24           (K) an attempt, conspiracy or criminal solicitation, as defined in
25       K.S.A. 21-3301, 21-3302, 21-3303, and amendments thereto, of a sexually
26       violent crime as defined in this section; or
27           (L) any act which at the time of sentencing for the offense has been
28       determined beyond a reasonable doubt to have been sexually motivated.
29       As used in this subparagraph, ``sexually motivated'' means that one of the
30       purposes for which the defendant committed the crime was for the pur-
31       pose of the defendant's sexual gratification.
32           (e) If an inmate is sentenced to imprisonment for a crime committed
33       while on parole or conditional release, the inmate shall be eligible for
34       parole as provided by subsection (c), except that the Kansas parole board
35       may postpone the inmate's parole eligibility date by assessing a penalty
36       not exceeding the period of time which could have been assessed if the
37       inmate's parole or conditional release had been violated for reasons other
38       than conviction of a crime.
39           (f) If a person is sentenced to prison for a crime committed on or
40       after July 1, 1993, while on probation, parole, conditional release or in a
41       community corrections program, for a crime committed prior to July 1,
42       1993, and the person is not eligible for retroactive application of the
43       sentencing guidelines and amendments thereto pursuant to K.S.A. 21-

SB 550

8

  1       4724 and amendments thereto, the new sentence shall not be aggregated
  2       with the old sentence, but shall begin when the person is paroled or
  3       reaches the conditional release date on the old sentence. If the offender
  4       was past the offender's conditional release date at the time the new of-
  5       fense was committed, the new sentence shall not be aggregated with the
  6       old sentence but shall begin when the person is ordered released by the
  7       Kansas parole board or reaches the maximum sentence expiration date
  8       on the old sentence, whichever is earlier. The new sentence shall then
  9       be served as otherwise provided by law. The period of postrelease su-
10       pervision shall be based on the new sentence, except that those offenders
11       whose old sentence is a term of imprisonment for life, imposed pursuant
12       to K.S.A. 1993 Supp. 21-4628 prior to its repeal, or an indeterminate
13       sentence with a maximum term of life imprisonment, for which there is
14       no conditional release or maximum sentence expiration date, shall remain
15       on postrelease supervision for life or until discharged from supervision
16       by the Kansas parole board.
17           (g) Subject to the provisions of this section, the Kansas parole board
18       may release on parole those persons confined in institutions who are el-
19       igible for parole when: (1) The board believes that the inmate should be
20       released for hospitalization, for deportation or to answer the warrant or
21       other process of a court and is of the opinion that there is reasonable
22       probability that the inmate can be released without detriment to the com-
23       munity or to the inmate; or (2) the secretary of corrections has reported
24       to the board in writing that the inmate has satisfactorily completed the
25       programs required by any agreement entered under K.S.A. 75-5210a and
26       amendments thereto, or any revision of such agreement, and the board
27       believes that the inmate is able and willing to fulfill the obligations of a
28       law abiding citizen and is of the opinion that there is reasonable proba-
29       bility that the inmate can be released without detriment to the community
30       or to the inmate. Parole shall not be granted as an award of clemency and
31       shall not be considered a reduction of sentence or a pardon.
32           (h) The Kansas parole board shall hold a parole hearing at least the
33       month prior to the month an inmate will be eligible for parole under
34       subsections (a), (b) and (c). At least the month preceding the parole hear-
35       ing, the county or district attorney of the county where the inmate was
36       convicted shall give written notice of the time and place of the public
37       comment sessions for the inmate to any victim of the inmate's crime who
38       is alive and whose address is known to the county or district attorney or,
39       if the victim is deceased, to the victim's family if the family's address is
40       known to the county or district attorney. Except as otherwise provided,
41       failure to notify pursuant to this section shall not be a reason to postpone
42       a parole hearing. In the case of any inmate convicted of a class A felony
43       the secretary of corrections shall give written notice of the time and place

SB 550

9

  1       of the public comment session for such inmate at least one month pre-
  2       ceding the public comment session to any victim of such inmate's crime
  3       or the victim's family pursuant to K.S.A. 74-7338 and amendments
  4       thereto. If notification is not given to such victim or such victim's family
  5       in the case of any inmate convicted of a class A felony, the board shall
  6       postpone a decision on parole of the inmate to a time at least 30 days
  7       after notification is given as provided in this section. Nothing in this sec-
  8       tion shall create a cause of action against the state or an employee of the
  9       state acting within the scope of the employee's employment as a result
10       of the failure to notify pursuant to this section. If granted parole, the
11       inmate may be released on parole on the date specified by the board, but
12       not earlier than the date the inmate is eligible for parole under subsec-
13       tions (a), (b) and (c). At each parole hearing and, if parole is not granted,
14       at such intervals thereafter as it determines appropriate, the Kansas parole
15       board shall consider: (1) Whether the inmate has satisfactorily completed
16       the programs required by any agreement entered under K.S.A. 75-5210a
17       and amendments thereto, or any revision of such agreement; and (2) all
18       pertinent information regarding such inmate, including, but not limited
19       to, the circumstances of the offense of the inmate; the presentence report;
20       the previous social history and criminal record of the inmate; the conduct,
21       employment, and attitude of the inmate in prison; the reports of such
22       physical and mental examinations as have been made; comments of the
23       victim and the victim's family; comments of the public; official comments;
24       and capacity of state correctional institutions.
25           (i) In those cases involving inmates sentenced for a crime committed
26       after July 1, 1993, the parole board will review the inmates proposed
27       release plan. The board may schedule a hearing if they desire. The board
28       may impose any condition they deem necessary to insure public safety,
29       aid in the reintegration of the inmate into the community, or items not
30       completed under the agreement entered into under K.S.A. 75-5210a and
31       amendments thereto. The board may not advance or delay an inmate's
32       release date. Every inmate while on postrelease supervision shall remain
33       in the legal custody of the secretary of corrections and is subject to the
34       orders of the secretary.
35           (j) Before ordering the parole of any inmate, the Kansas parole board
36       shall have the inmate appear before either in person or via a video con-
37       ferencing format and shall interview the inmate unless impractical be-
38       cause of the inmate's physical or mental condition or absence from the
39       institution. Every inmate while on parole shall remain in the legal custody
40       of the secretary of corrections and is subject to the orders of the secretary.
41       Whenever the Kansas parole board formally considers placing an inmate
42       on parole and no agreement has been entered into with the inmate under
43       K.S.A. 75-5210a and amendments thereto, the board shall notify the in-

SB 550

10

  1       mate in writing of the reasons for not granting parole. If an agreement
  2       has been entered under K.S.A. 75-5210a and amendments thereto and
  3       the inmate has not satisfactorily completed the programs specified in the
  4       agreement, or any revision of such agreement, the board shall notify the
  5       inmate in writing of the specific programs the inmate must satisfactorily
  6       complete before parole will be granted. If parole is not granted only
  7       because of a failure to satisfactorily complete such programs, the board
  8       shall grant parole upon the secretary's certification that the inmate has
  9       successfully completed such programs. If an agreement has been entered
10       under K.S.A. 75-5210a and amendments thereto and the secretary of
11       corrections has reported to the board in writing that the inmate has sat-
12       isfactorily completed the programs required by such agreement, or any
13       revision thereof, the board shall not require further program participa-
14       tion. However, if the board determines that other pertinent information
15       regarding the inmate warrants the inmate's not being released on parole,
16       the board shall state in writing the reasons for not granting the parole. If
17       parole is denied for an inmate sentenced for a crime other than a class A
18       or class B felony or an off-grid felony, the board shall hold another parole
19       hearing for the inmate not later than one year after the denial unless the
20       parole board finds that it is not reasonable to expect that parole would
21       be granted at a hearing if held in the next three years or during the interim
22       period of a deferral. In such case, the parole board may defer subsequent
23       parole hearings for up to three years but any such deferral by the board
24       shall require the board to state the basis for its findings. If parole is denied
25       for an inmate sentenced for a class A or class B felony or an off-grid
26       felony, the board shall hold another parole hearing for the inmate not
27       later than three years after the denial unless the parole board finds that
28       it is not reasonable to expect that parole would be granted at a hearing if
29       held in the next 10 years or during the interim period of a deferral. In
30       such case, the parole board may defer subsequent parole hearings for up
31       to 10 years but any such deferral shall require the board to state the basis
32       for its findings.
33           (k) Parolees and persons on postrelease supervision shall be assigned,
34       upon release, to the appropriate level of supervision pursuant to the cri-
35       teria established by the secretary of corrections.
36           (l) The Kansas parole board shall adopt rules and regulations in ac-
37       cordance with K.S.A. 77-415 et seq., and amendments thereto, not in-
38       consistent with the law and as it may deem proper or necessary, with
39       respect to the conduct of parole hearings, postrelease supervision reviews,
40       revocation hearings, orders of restitution, reimbursement of expenditures
41       by the state board of indigents' defense services and other conditions to
42       be imposed upon parolees or releasees. Whenever an order for parole or
43       postrelease supervision is issued it shall recite the conditions thereof.

SB 550

11

  1           (m) Whenever the Kansas parole board orders the parole of an in-
  2       mate or establishes conditions for an inmate placed on postrelease su-
  3       pervision, the board:
  4           (1) Unless it finds compelling circumstances which would render a
  5       plan of payment unworkable, shall order as a condition of parole or post-
  6       release supervision that the parolee or the person on postrelease super-
  7       vision pay any transportation expenses resulting from returning the pa-
  8       rolee or the person on postrelease supervision to this state to answer
  9       criminal charges or a warrant for a violation of a condition of probation,
10       assignment to a community correctional services program, parole, con-
11       ditional release or postrelease supervision;
12           (2) to the extent practicable, shall order as a condition of parole or
13       postrelease supervision that the parolee or the person on postrelease su-
14       pervision make progress towards or successfully complete the equivalent
15       of a secondary education if the inmate has not previously completed such
16       educational equivalent and is capable of doing so;
17           (3) may order that the parolee or person on postrelease supervision
18       perform community or public service work for local governmental agen-
19       cies, private corporations organized not-for-profit or charitable or social
20       service organizations performing services for the community;
21           (4) may order the parolee or person on postrelease supervision to pay
22       the administrative fee imposed pursuant to K.S.A. 1997 Supp. 22-4529
23       unless the board finds compelling circumstances which would render pay-
24       ment unworkable; and
25           (5) unless it finds compelling circumstances which would render a
26       plan of payment unworkable, shall order that the parolee or person on
27       postrelease supervision reimburse the state for all or part of the expend-
28       itures by the state board of indigents' defense services to provide counsel
29       and other defense services to the person. In determining the amount and
30       method of payment of such sum, the parole board shall take account of
31       the financial resources of the person and the nature of the burden that
32       the payment of such sum will impose. Such amount shall not exceed the
33       amount claimed by appointed counsel on the payment voucher for indi-
34       gents' defense services or the amount prescribed by the board of indi-
35       gents' defense services reimbursement tables as provided in K.S.A. 22-
36       4522 and amendments thereto, whichever is less, minus any previous
37       payments for such services.
38           (n) If the court which sentenced an inmate specified at the time of
39       sentencing the amount and the recipient of any restitution ordered as a
40       condition of parole or postrelease supervision, the Kansas parole board
41       shall order as a condition of parole or postrelease supervision that the
42       inmate pay restitution in the amount and manner provided in the journal
43       entry unless the board finds compelling circumstances which would ren-

SB 550

12

  1       der a plan of restitution unworkable.
  2           (o) Whenever the Kansas parole board grants the parole of an inmate,
  3       the board, within 10 days of the date of the decision to grant parole, shall
  4       give written notice of the decision to the county or district attorney of the
  5       county where the inmate was sentenced.
  6           (p) When an inmate is to be released on postrelease supervision, the
  7       secretary, within 30 days prior to release, shall provide the county or
  8       district attorney of the county where the inmate was sentenced written
  9       notice of the release date.
10           (q) Inmates shall be released on postrelease supervision upon the
11       termination of the prison portion of their sentence. Time served while
12       on postrelease supervision will vest.
13           (r) An inmate who is allocated regular good time credits as provided
14       in K.S.A. 22-3725 and amendments thereto may receive meritorious good
15       time credits in increments of not more than 90 days per meritorious act.
16       These credits may be awarded by the secretary of corrections when an
17       inmate has acted in a heroic or outstanding manner in coming to the
18       assistance of another person in a life threatening situation, preventing
19       injury or death to a person, preventing the destruction of property or
20       taking actions which result in a financial savings to the state.
21           Sec. 9. K.S.A. 1997 Supp. 22-4505 is hereby amended to read as
22       follows: 22-4505. (a) When a defendant has been convicted in the district
23       court of any felony, the court shall inform the defendant of such defend-
24       ant's right to appeal the conviction to the appellate court having jurisdic-
25       tion and that if the defendant is financially unable to pay the costs of such
26       appeal such defendant may request the court to appoint an attorney to
27       represent the defendant on appeal and to direct that the defendant be
28       supplied with a transcript of the trial record.
29           (b) If the defendant files an affidavit stating that the defendant in-
30       tends to take an appeal in the case and if the court determines, as provided
31       in K.S.A. 22-4504 and amendments thereto, that the defendant is not
32       financially able to employ counsel, the court shall appoint counsel from
33       the panel for indigents' defense services or otherwise in accordance with
34       the applicable system for providing legal defense services for indigent
35       persons prescribed by the state board of indigents' defense services, to
36       represent the defendant and to perfect and handle the appeal. If the
37       defendant files a verified motion for transcript stating that a transcript of
38       the trial record is necessary to enable the defendant to prosecute the
39       appeal and that the defendant is not financially able to pay the cost of
40       procuring such transcript, and if the court finds that the statements con-
41       tained therein are true, the court shall order that such transcript be sup-
42       plied to the defendant as provided in K.S.A. 22-4509 and amendments
43       thereto and paid for by the state board of indigents' defense services

SB 550

13

  1       pursuant to claims submitted therefor.
  2           (c) Upon an appeal or petition for certiorari addressed to the supreme
  3       court of the United States, if the defendant is without means to pay the
  4       cost of making and forwarding the necessary records, the supreme court
  5       of Kansas may by order provide for the furnishing of necessary records.
  6           (d) (1) The state board of indigents' defense services shall provide
  7       by rule and regulation for: (A) The assignment of attorneys to the panel
  8       for indigents' defense services to represent indigent persons who have
  9       been convicted of capital murder and are under sentence of death, in the
10       direct review of the judgment;
11           (B) standards of competency and qualification for the appointment
12       of counsel in capital cases under this section; and
13           (C) the reasonable compensation of counsel appointed to represent
14       individuals convicted of capital murder and under a sentence of death in
15       the appeal of such cases and for reasonable and necessary litigation ex-
16       pense associated with such appeals.
17           (2) If a defendant has been convicted of capital murder and is under
18       a sentence of death, the district court shall make a determination on the
19       record whether the defendant is indigent. Upon a finding that the defen-
20       dant is indigent and accepts the offer of representation or is unable com-
21       petently to decide whether to accept or reject the offer, the court shall
22       appoint one or more counsel, in accordance with subsection (d)(1), to
23       represent the defendant. If the defendant rejects the offer of represen-
24       tation, the court shall find on the record, after a hearing if necessary,
25       whether the defendant rejected the offer of representation with the un-
26       derstanding of its legal consequences. The court shall deny the appoint-
27       ment of counsel upon a finding that the defendant is competent and not
28       indigent.
29           (3) Counsel appointed to represent the defendant, under this section,
30       shall not have represented the defendant at trial unless the defendant and
31       counsel expressly request continued representation.
32           Sec. 10. K.S.A. 1997 Supp. 22-4506 is hereby amended to read as
33       follows: 22-4506. (a) Whenever any person who is in custody under a
34       sentence of imprisonment upon conviction of a felony files a petition for
35       writ of habeas corpus or a motion attacking sentence under K.S.A. 60-
36       1507 and files with such petition or motion such person's affidavit stating
37       that the petition or motion is filed in good faith and that such person is
38       financially unable to pay the costs of such action and to employ counsel
39       therefor, the court shall make a preliminary examination of the petition
40       or motion and the supporting papers.
41           (b) If the court finds that the petition or motion presents substantial
42       questions of law or triable issues of fact and if the petitioner or movant
43       has been or is thereafter determined to be an indigent person as provided

SB 550

14

  1       in K.S.A. 22-4504 and amendments thereto, the court shall appoint coun-
  2       sel from the panel for indigents' defense services or otherwise in accord-
  3       ance with the applicable system for providing legal defense services for
  4       indigent persons prescribed by the state board of indigents' defense serv-
  5       ices, to assist such person and authorize the action to be filed without a
  6       deposit of security for costs. If the petition or motion in such case raises
  7       questions shown by the trial record, the court shall order that the peti-
  8       tioner or movant be supplied with a transcript of the trial proceedings,
  9       or so much thereof as may be necessary to present the issue, without cost
10       to such person.
11           (c) If an appeal is taken in such action and if the trial court finds that
12       the petitioner or movant is an indigent person, the trial court shall appoint
13       counsel to conduct the appeal, order that the appellant be supplied with
14       a record of the proceedings or so much thereof as such counsel deter-
15       mines to be necessary and order that the deposit of security for costs be
16       waived.
17           (d) (1) The state board of indigents' defense services shall provide
18       by rule and regulation for: (A) The assignment of attorneys to the panel
19       for indigents' defense services to represent indigent persons, who have
20       been convicted of capital murder and are under sentence of death, upon
21       a filing of a petition for writ of habeas corpus or a motion attacking sen-
22       tence under K.S.A. 60-1507 and amendments thereto;
23           (B) standards of competency and qualification for the appointment
24       of counsel in capital cases under this section; and
25           (C) the reasonable compensation of counsel appointed to represent
26       individuals convicted of capital murder and under a sentence of death,
27       during proceedings conducted pursuant to subsection (a), (b) or (c) and
28       for reasonable and necessary litigation expense associated with such pro-
29       ceedings.
30           (2) If a petitioner or movant, who has been convicted of capital mur-
31       der and is under a sentence of death, files a petition for writ of habeas
32       corpus or a motion attacking sentence under K.S.A. 60-1507 and amend-
33       ments thereto, the district court shall make a determination on the record
34       whether the petitioner or movant is indigent. Upon a finding that the
35       petitioner or movant is indigent and accepts the offer of representation
36       or is unable competently to decide whether to accept or reject the offer,
37       the court shall appoint one or more counsel, in accordance with subsec-
38       tion (d) (1), to represent the petitioner or movant. If the petitioner or
39       movant rejects the offer of representation, the court shall find on the
40       record, after a hearing if necessary, whether the petitioner or movant
41       rejected the offer of representation with the understanding of its legal
42       consequences. The court shall deny the appointment of counsel upon a
43       finding that the petitioner or movant is competent and not indigent.

SB 550

15

  1           (3) Counsel appointed to represent the petitioner or movant shall not
  2       have represented the petitioner or movant at trial or on direct appeal
  3       therefrom unless the petitioner or movant and counsel expressly request
  4       continued representation.
  5           Sec. 11. K.S.A. 21-3439, 21-4622, 21-4623, 21-4624, 21-4625, 21-
  6       4626, 21-4627, 21-4629, 21-4630, 21-4631, 21-4634, 21-4635, 22-3704,
  7       22-3705, 22-4001, 22-4002, 22-4003, 22-4004, 22-4005, 22-4006, 22-
  8       4009, 22-4011, 22-4012, 22-4013, 22-4014, 22-4015 and 22-4016 and
  9       K.S.A. 1997 Supp. 21-3105, 21-4706, 22-3717, 22-4505 and 22-4506 are
10       hereby repealed.
11           Sec. 12. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its
12       publication in the statute book.
13      
14