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Minutes for SB407 - Committee on Judiciary
Short Title
Allowing certain violent offenders to shorten the duration of registration required under the Kansas offender registration act.
Minutes Content for Thu, Feb 15, 2018
Chairman Wilborn opened the hearing on SB407 - Allowing certain violent offenders to shorten the duration of registration required under the Kansas offender registration act. Jason Thompson provided an overview of the bill and answered questions from the committee. (Attachment 3)
Senator Fitzgerald spoke in favor of SB407 indicating the bill addresses offenders who are significantly reformed, maximizes input from all interested parties, and allows the judge to consider the totality of an offender's record. Senator Fitzgerald answered questions from committee members. (Attachment 4)
Greg Smith opposed SB407 stating it does one more thing to give victims the impression the offender matters more than they do. He understands the intent of the bill is to alleviate the burden on offenders, but he believes those who don't want to be on the registry, should not commit the crime. He also expressed concern about requesting victims to be present at another hearing because they will be victimized again by having to relive the crime. Mr. Smith answered questions from the committee. (Attachment 5)
Scott Schultz addressed the committee from a neutral position on SB407 providing information on the current registry and noting the Sentencing Commission has discovered no data that would support the contention that the offender registry serves as a deterrent to crime or decreases recidivism. Mr. Schultz answered questions from committee members. (Attachment 6)
Jennifer Roth also spoke from a neutral position on SB407 providing history of the registry and pointing out discrepancies which place people on the registry who may not actually belong there. Ms. Roth indicated there could be a greater penalty for failure to comply with the registry than for the act that placed the person on the registry. She asked the committee to consider adding drug offenders to the bill and making the registration period for both categories (drug and violent) five years. Ms. Roth answered questions from the committee. (Attachment 7)
The Chairman closed the hearing on SB407.
