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Minutes for HB2030 - Committee on Corrections and Juvenile Justice
Short Title
Extending terminal medical release to inmates in the custody of the department of corrections with a condition likely to cause death within 120 days.
Minutes Content for Tue, Jan 26, 2021
Chairperson Jennings opened the hearing on HB2030.
Natalie Scott, Assistant Revisor, provided an overview of HB2030 and the statute it affects. (Attachment 1) The revisor stood for questions.
Scott Schultz submitted a Prison Bed Space Impact Assessment and testified in support of HB2030 giving an overview of Kansas’ current barriers to process a compassionate release inmate before death; where Kansas ranks among other states’ compassionate release policies; and the cost savings without sacrificing public safety. (Attachment 2) (Attachment 3)
Representative Highberger testified in support of HB2030 adding the majority of other states with a similar statute have a six-month time limit. Representative Highberger further stated moving incapacitated inmates out of the custody of KDOC could provide a significant reduction in prison medical care costs should Medicaid be expanded and was open to discussion in the future. (Attachment 4)
Randy Bowman testified in support of HB2030 stating the current 30-day period is an insufficient amount of time to process a compassionate release application and views the proposed 120-day in HB2030 as more realistic. (Attachment 5)
Kendall Seal testified in support of HB2030 stating it is sound policy, commendable and humane, in addition to the overall cost reduction. (Attachment 6)
Opponent written testimony was provided by:
- Greg Smith, Special Deputy Sheriff for Government, Veteran, and Crime Victim Affairs, Johnson County Sheriff’s Office (Attachment 7)
- Missey Smith, KelseysArmy.org (Attachment 8)
There was no neutral testimony.
All participants were available for questions from the Committee.
Chairperson Jennings called for final questions from the Committee.
The hearing on HB2030 was closed.
