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Minutes for HB2279 - Committee on Corrections and Juvenile Justice
Short Title
Requiring law enforcement officers to provide information about timing of release from custody when an arrest is made following a domestic violence call.
Minutes Content for Thu, Feb 21, 2019
Natalie Scott gave an overview of HB2279.
Representatives Highberger, Resman, and Delperdang had questions and comments.
Representative Pam Curtis testified in support of HB2279. Representative Curtis stated when there is a domestic violence call, and the offender is arrested, the bill would require law enforcement to inform victims of the earliest possible time of release from custody of the offender. (Attachment 1)
Sara Rust-Martin testified in support of HB2279 on behalf of the Kansas Coalition Against Sexual & Domestic Violence. Ms. Rust-Martin asserted the bill intends to impact one of the reasons domestic violence victims remain at risk and vulnerable to lethal violence, a lack of notice related to bond. (Attachment 2)
Tracey Gay testified in support of HB2279 on behalf of the Wichita Family Crisis Center. Ms. Gay expressed having release timing information is critical for victims to make decisions that could impact their safety. (Attachment 3)
Written testimony in support of HB2279 was submitted by Representative Ponka-We Victors (Attachment 4) and Janee Hanzlick, Johnson County Commissioner (Attachment 5).
Ed Klumpp testified in support of HB2279 on behalf of Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police, Kansas Sheriffs Association, and Kansas Peace Officers Association. Mr. Klumpp explained the two provisions in this bill can create a false sense of safety to a victim if the information the officer believes to be accurate proves to not be what ultimately happens. This could cause a safety issue for the victim and erode the victim’s faith in law enforcement. (Attachment 6)
Representatives Kuether, Wheeler, Smith, Amyx, Jennings, Owens had questions and comments.
Chairperson Jennings called for final questions from the Committee and then closed the hearing.
