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Minutes for SB419 - Committee on Corrections and Juvenile Justice
Short Title
Amending the crime of aggravated endangering a child to increase the criminal penalties when bodily harm to the child results and when a child is in certain environments associated with fentanyl-related controlled substances.
Minutes Content for Wed, Mar 6, 2024
The Chair opened the hearing on SB419. Natalie Scott provided an overview of the bill. (Attachment 1)
Jessica Domme, Associate Deputy Attorney General testified in support of the bill. Ms. Domme said this bill was brought forth by their office and addresses a gap in the current aggravated endangering a child statute. (Attachment 2)
Chief Darrell Atteberry testified in support of the bill on behalf of the Kansas Sheriffs' Association, the Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police and the Kansas Peace Officers Association. He said that too often the victims of fentanyl poisoning are children who have no idea what they have found and decide to eat. Children overdosing after finding illicit drugs is a nationwide problem and also a Kansas problem. He cited information found in reports from the Kansas Child Death Review Board that he included in his written testimony to illustrate the issue. (Attachment 3)
Greg Smith, Special Deputy Sheriff for Governmental Affairs, Johnson County Sheriff's Office delivered testimony on behalf of Chris Farkes in support of the bill. He shared that through their investigations, they know that drug dealers have small children living with them or even bring those children with them to their drug transactions. He shared a few examples of cases their task forces had investigated that involved children. These examples are contained in his written testimony. He believes this bill would assist prosecutors in holding people accountable for allowing children to be present in such dangerous situations. (Attachment 4)
Written only proponent testimony was submitted by:
- Kris Kobach, Kansas Attorney General (Attachment 5)
- Robert Stuart, Executive Officer, Kansas Bureau of Investigation (Attachment 6)
- Stephen Howe, District Attorney, Johnson County District Attorney's Office (Attachment 7)
There was no neutral testimony.
Written only opponent testimony was submitted by James Bales, Legislative Committee, Kansas State Board of Indigents' Defense Services. (Attachment 8)
The chair closed the hearing on SB419.
