House Status:
Senate Status:
Senate Status:
Minutes for HB2404 - 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 Mon, Mar 17, 2025
Chair Humphries opened the hearing on HB2404 at 4:13pm.
Jason Thompson, Office of Revisor of Statutes, presented the bill brief. (Attachment 1)
Proponent Ed Klumpp, Kansas Sheriffs Association/Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police/Kansas Peace Officers Association, testified that these associations support this bill. They feel it is well constructed and outlines the who the registered offenders are clearly. (Attachment 2)
Proponent Senator Kellie Warren, Senate Judiciary Committee Chair/Senate 18th District, testified that this bill is the result of an incident in her district. Being surprised that no laws exist currently to address this situation, she worked with parents and organizations to present this bill. (Attachment 3)
Proponent Steve Howe, Kansas County & District Attorneys Association and Johnson County District Attorney’s Office, testified that a recent incident in his jurisdiction has highlighted the need to provide further clarity to the intent of this Legislature, which is to keep sex offenders out of our schools and their various activities. The additional language in this bill will provide guidance to school boards, school administrators, law enforcement and prosecutors, who are charged with enforcing these laws. (Attachment 4)
Proponent Kim Bergman, Private Citizen, testified that she supports the bill based on her personal experience. (Attachment 5)
Proponent Colter Daubert, Private Citizen, testified that he became an advocate to support the bill based on his attendance at the incident in the Blue Valley school and the response of the local school board. (Attachment 6)
Proponent Jessica Daubert, Private Citizen, testified that like her husband who testified before her, they were surprised no laws existed about this situation. She feels that sex offenders should be kept away from school activities. (Attachment 7)
Proponent Christine Antes, Private Citizen, testified on the need for legislation that would prohibit registered sex offenders from entering school grounds and also mandate clear, consistent school district policies aligned with state standards. (Attachment 8)
Proponent Blue Valley Student, Private Citizen, expressed concern about a "bad person" gaining access to students in schools. The student encouraged passage of this bill to help protect children while they are learning. (Attachment 9)
Opponent Grace Tran, BIDS Legislative Committee, testified they are in opposition because they do not believe the bill will decrease recidivism, and may even increase recidivism risk based on removing the offender from their support groups/systems. They do not believe this bill supports rehabilitation. (Attachment 10)
Neutral Conferee Shannon Kimball, Kansas Association of School Boards, pointed out that the association remains neutral due to two "mandates that create clear conflicts between state and federal requirements and laws", as outlined in their testimony. (Attachment 11)
Chair Humphries drew attention to the Written Only testimonies.
Proponents Written Only:
Timothy Graham, Kansas NEA (Attachment 12)
Dr. Tonya Merrigan, Superintendent, Blue Valley Schools (Attachment 13)
Brad Mullins, Private Citizen (Attachment 14)
Elizabeth Newcomer, Private Citizen (Attachment 15)
Danielle George, Private Citizen (Attachment 16)
Neutral Written Only:
Susan Willis, Wichita Public Schools (Attachment 17)
Chair Humphries closed the hearing on HB2404 at 5:15pm.
