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Minutes for HB2654 - Committee on Corrections and Juvenile Justice
Short Title
Excluding certain types of incarceration time from being included in the allowance for time spent incarcerated when calculating a criminal defendant's sentence.
Minutes Content for Wed, Feb 7, 2024
The Chair opened the hearing on HB2654. Natalie Scott provided an overview of the bill. (Attachment 6)
Natalie Chalmers testified in support of the bill on behalf of the Kansas County and District Attorneys Association. Ms. Chalmers said this bill is in reaction to the Kansas Supreme Court's decision in State v. Hopkins and the uncertainty it has caused. The proposed legislation seeks to clarify legislative intent and to prevent the damage a broad reading of Hopkins could inflict on consecutive sentences. (Attachment 7)
Ellen Johnson, Private Citizen provided neutral testimony on the bill. Ms. Johnson said she is against language in the bill excluding certain types of incarceration from good time credit for offenders sentenced in Kansas. She said this bill would have no effect on offenders relative to deterrence and will not reduce crime. (Attachment 8)
Jennifer Roth, Deputy Appellate Defender, testified as an opponent to the bill on behalf of the BIDS Legislative Committee. Ms. Roth said this bill is a massive over correction that is contrary to other provisions of the Kansas Sentencing Guidelines Act, it will continue the fundamental unfairness of people serving dead time, and it is unnecessarily costly. (Attachment 9)
The Chair closed the hearing on HB2654. The meeting was adjourned at 3:00 PM.
