Minutes for HB2173 - Committee on Judiciary

Short Title

Authorizing certain offenders to petition for relief from registration requirements under the Kansas offender registration act.

Minutes Content for Thu, Feb 6, 2025

Chairperson Humphries opened the hearing on HB2173.

Natalie Scott, Office of Revisor of Statutes, provided the bill brief. (Attachment 1)

PROPONENTS:

Jennifer Roth, Kansas State Board of Indigents' Defense Services, testified that HB2173 would continue the work started to restore an exit mechanism on the Kansas Offender Registration Act (KORA) for people who, because of the 2011 amendments, were retroactively ordered to register when they hadn't before, or had their registration period retroactively increased from 10 years to 15 years, 25 years, or life. (Attachment 2)

Representative William Sutton, 43rd District, testified on behalf of a constituent named Lonnie who was affected by the 2011 amendments.. (Attachment 3) (Attachment 4) (Attachment 5)

Jana Burnside, Citizen, testified in favor of HB2173 and pointed out the detrimental effects the 2011 amendments have had on certain individuals who were working diligently to rectify their past wrongs and who have demonstrated that they pose no additional risks to society. (Attachment 6)

Andrew Parish, Citizen, testified in favor of HB2173, sharing his personal story. (Attachment 7)

NEUTRAL:

Robert Stuart, Executive Officer, Kansas Bureau of Investigation provided neutral testimony on HB2173. He pointed out that changes in Kansas law will likely affect compliance to the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA), a nationwide network of registrations and notification programs. Information was also included information about budget monies being awarded to local and state agencies to fund programs designed to reduce and prevent crime, assist with equipment and technology needs and provide crime victim services. (Attachment 8)

There was no in-person Opponent testimony.

Proponent Written Only testimony was provided by:

Vincent, Citizen (Attachment 9)

Keith, Citizen (Attachment 10)

Cindy, Citizen, (Attachment 11)

Chris, Citizen (Attachment 12)

Annette, Citizen (Attachment 13)

Ann, Citizen (Attachment 14)

Nancy Strouse, Kansas Judicial Council (Attachment 15)

Chairperson Humphries closed the hearing on HB2173.