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Minutes for SB288 - Committee on Judiciary

Short Title

Prohibiting certain sex offenders from entering onto school property or attending school activities and creating criminal penalties for violation thereof.

Minutes Content for Tue, Mar 11, 2025

Chairwoman Warren opened the hearing on SB288

Natalie Scott, Revisor's office, provided an overview of the bill and stood for questions (Attachment 1)

Steve Howe, Johnson County District Attorney, Kansas Association of Kansas County & District Attorneys Association, provided testimony in support of the bill.  He stated the sex offender register for offenses involving children contains some of the most serious criminal offenses under our current sentencing guidelines.  This bill will provide additional guidance to school administrator wand provide clarity.  (Attachment 2)

Ed Klumpp, on behalf of Kansas Sheriffs' Association; Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police; Kansas Peace Officers Association, provided testimony in support of the bill.  He stated this seems like a common-sense thing to do to protect our children in the school setting from those convicted of serious crimes against children. (Attachment 3)

Kasey Dalke, Executive Director, Children's Advocacy Centers of Kansas provided testimony supporting this bill.  She stated this legislation is a critical step forward in protecting Kansas children from further harm, aligning with evidence-based research on child safety, recidivism prevention, and the impact of trauma. (Attachment 4)

Judi Rodman, CEO, Sunflower House Child Advocacy Center, stated that sexual abuse is preventable.  We must empower adults to take responsibility for the safety of children.  We believe that sex offenders should not be allowed on school grounds, and this bill is a step in the right direction to prioritize the safety of children. (Attachment 5)

Christine Antes, Parent spoke in favor of the bill.  Legislation mirroring other states' proven measures is pragmatic.  It reflects a commitment to prevention, clarity, and the fundamental duty to protect our youth. (Attachment 6)

Jessica Daubert, Parent, provided testimony in favor of the bill.  She pleas the committee change the way we protect our most innocent, most vulnerable - our own children. (Attachment 7)

Colten Daubert, Parent, supports the bill.  He states that protecting our children should be priority number one no matter if it's at a community level or a state level.  (Attachment 8)

Proponent Conferees stood for questions

Proponents, written testimony was submitted by the following:

Shannon Kimball, Government Relations Specialist, Kansas Association of School Boards, provided neutral testimony.  She stated they are neutral on the bill because, to an extent, the bill may create situations that place school districts in the middle of 'mandates that create clear conflicts between state and federal requirements and laws'.   (Attachment 23)

Neutral conferee stood for questions.

Neutral written testimony was submitted by Susan Willis, Government Liaison, & Finance Manager, Wichita Public Schools. (Attachment 24)

Grace Tran, BIDS Legislative Committee, Kansas State Board of Indigents' Defense Services, provided testimony opposed to the bill.  They do not believe this bill will decrease recidivism, and because it may even increase recidivism risk, the BIDS  Legislative Committee respectfully opposes SB288.  (Attachment 25)

Theresa Butell, Private Citizen. She stated this bill will cause irreparable harm to children of parents required to register as sex offenders as well as to the spouses of the registrants.   (Attachment 26), (Attachment 27), (Attachment 28)

Shirley Ferley, Private Citizen, spoke in opposition of the bill.  She states it is segregation, discrimination, hatred and punishment not based on facts. (Attachment 29)

Eldon Dillingham, Private Citizen, is opposed to this bill.  He stated this bill needs more research, certainly input from school board members, professionals in the mental health field, legal, etc.  He said moving this bill forward at this time is irresponsible. (Attachment 30)

Keith Weiner, Private Citizen, provided testimony in opposition to the bill.  He asks to consider the impact this bill would have on families of registered sex offenders, which seeks to restrict his ability to be near her school.  As a single parent this bill not only punishes him, it punishes his daughter as well.  (Attachment 31)

Galen M. Baughman, Just Future Project, testified in opposition to the bill.  He asks to legislate from a place of rational analysis, not 'horror and disgust"  He said this is a bill to placate angry parents.  The children of Kansas need you to create evidence -based policies that will keep them safe - SB288 does nothing of the sort. (Attachment 32)

Opponent, written only testimony was submitted by Karen Loganbills, Private Citizen. (Attachment 33)

Conferees stood for questions.

No further conferees.

Chairwoman Warren closed the hearing on SB288.