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Minutes for SB71 - Committee on Judiciary
Short Title
Increasing the criminal penalties for buying sexual relations, removing provisions regarding city ordinances prohibiting buying sexual relations, requiring certain offenders to complete an educational or treatment program regarding commercial sexual exploitation and requiring the attorney general to approve such programs in consultation with the office of judicial administration.
Minutes Content for Wed, Jan 29, 2025
Chairwoman Warren opened the hearing on SB71
Natalie Scott, Revisor of Statutes office, provided an overview of the bill and stood for questions. (Attachment 1)
Michael Kagey, Shawnee County District Attorney, stated in his proponent testimony the purpose of bill. He testified that we need a firm stance in Kansas. By supporting SB71, you have the power to make a real and lasting difference. Strengthening penalties for sex buyers and implementing standardized education programs will not only deter future crimes but also confronts buyers with the truth about the suffering they perpetuate. (Attachment 2)
Ed Klumpp, Legislation Liaison, KS Sheriffs Assoc; Ks Assoc of Chiefs of Police; Ks Peace Officers Assoc., testified in support of the bill. He wants to draw attention to 3rd paragraph of his testimony making the crime a felon on the first offense and will take these cases out of the Municipal Courts. (Attachment 3)
Angela Boles, Founder and Exec. Director, Project 2 Restore, provided testimony in support of the bill. She stated making the buying of sex a crime is absolutely vital in the fight against sex trafficking. She asked for supporting this bill in its entirety. The education/diversion component is vital to changing the hearts and minds of those who believe that is a victimless crime to buy sex. (Attachment 4)
Sharon Sullivan, International Public Policy Institute, shared testimony in support of the bill. She provided statistics and said if we make the penalties high enough it will deter sex buying. An important part of this new legislation is buyer education. It takes time to help buyers understand the harm in buying sex. (Attachment 5)
Faron Barr, District 5710 Rotary Foundation Chair 2022 - 2025, provided testimony in support of SB71. He stated in 2021, Texas enacted a bill which made first time sex buying a felony. Last year, Delaware, Oklahoma and North Carolina enacted similar laws. We would like to see the reduction of demand for sex buying in Kansas. (Attachment 6)
Jason Alvis, Chief Executive Officer, ReHope, provided testimony to support SB71. At ReHope they serve both those being trafficked and the buyers caught up in it by offering education courses. Victims seeing and knowing exploiters are being dealt significant consequences for their actions elevate their mental state and assists in their recovery. (Attachment 7)
Kristin Hammer, Community Engagement Coordinator, YWCA Northeast Kansas, supports the bill. She states sex trafficking is a harsh reality in our state, and we witness its impact in the communities we serve. It is crucial to hold buyers accountable and make our communities safe. (Attachment 8)
Emma Markiewicz, Human Trafficking Intelligence Analyst, Shawnee County District Attorney Office states she specializes in open source and social media investigations and provides comprehensive intelligence products to law enforcement to advance proactive human trafficking operations. She provided an overview of some of the advertisements she has found posted to online escort sites. She states we cannot accept that this is the society that we live in and will raise our children in. She asks that you please join her, her colleagues and the many survivors across the state by supporting this bill. (Attachment 9)
Robin Bonsall,Twilight Lions Founding Member, Topeka Lions Club, testified in support of the bill. She asked the committee to establish 'certain offenders' to mean all sex buyers to be required to register for and complete Attorney General approved education / treatment programs to be eligible for diversion in 7 to 10 years. (Attachment 10)
Kim Borchers, Project 2 Restore Board of Directors, stood as a proponent for SB71. Project 2 Restore is a home for women wanting to leave sex trafficking. Eradicating sex trafficking may seem like an insurmountable challenge but this bill represents a first step in making the impossible a reality. SB71 sends a powerful and clear message to traffickers and those who purchase sex that Kansas is serious about eradicating sex trafficking. (Attachment 11)
Conferees stood for questions and discussion.
Proponents, Written only testimony was submitted by the following the following:
Brad Barrett, State Representative House District 76 (Attachment 12)
Matthew Bingesser, Administrative Counsel, Office of the Attorney General (Attachment 13)
Neil Getzlow, Director, Men's Education, ReHope (Attachment 14)
Chuck Weber, Executive Director, Kansas Catholic Conference (Attachment 15)
Andrea Carter, Private Citizen (Attachment 16)
Kristy Childs, Founder, Veronica's Voice, now with ReHope (Attachment 17)
Dorthy Stucky Halley, LMSW, Halley Counseling Services P.A. (Attachment 18)
No further testimony on SB71 was submitted.
Chairwoman Warren closed the hearing on SB71.
Meeting was adjourned at 11:35 a.m.
