Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas Senate Bill SB160

Introduced
2/3/25  

Caption

Granting the attorney general concurrent authority to prosecute any crimes related to schools.

Impact

If enacted, SB160 would significantly impact state laws by creating a more robust framework for the prosecution of education-related crimes. The bill would amend existing laws to ensure that the Attorney General can act alongside local district attorneys, fostering a more coordinated approach to law enforcement in educational contexts. Critics of the bill might argue that this could undermine local authority, yet proponents argue that it will facilitate more efficient legal actions in cases that involve inter-county criminal activity, particularly those that threaten the welfare of students and school systems.

Summary

Senate Bill 160, introduced in the Kansas legislative session of 2025, seeks to expand the powers of the Attorney General by granting them concurrent authority to prosecute crimes related to elementary and secondary education. This bill amends existing statutes to empower the Attorney General in instances where criminal conduct spans multiple counties, specifically targeting issues like organized retail crime, theft, and violations of the racketeer influenced and corrupt organizations act when linked to educational institutions. By allowing the state’s highest legal officer to assume jurisdiction, the bill aims to enhance accountability and swift action against crimes affecting schools across jurisdictions.

Contention

The bill potentially raises concerns regarding the balance of power between state and local authorities. While supporters emphasize the need for a unified response to crimes affecting education, opponents could contend that giving the Attorney General broader prosecutorial powers might lead to overreach, impacting how local crimes are managed. Furthermore, the specific crimes included in the bill—such as organized retail crimes linked to education—may evoke debates over whether existing local resources are sufficient, or if state intervention is necessitated. Discussions in committee meetings may reflect these various perspectives as stakeholders voice their support or opposition based on their interpretations of law enforcement efficacy and community autonomy.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

KS SB415

Creating the crime of organized retail crime, providing criminal penalties for violation thereof, increasing the criminal penalties for theft of certain property, including organized retail crime in the definition of racketeering activity under the Kansas racketeer influenced and corrupt organization act and authorizing the attorney general to prosecute crimes that are part of an alleged course of criminal conduct that occurred in two or more counties.

KS HB2144

Senate Substitute for HB 2144 by Committee on Judiciary - Creating the crimes of encouraging suicide and organized retail crime, providing criminal penalties for violation thereof, including organized retail crime in the definition of racketeering activity under the Kansas racketeer influenced and corrupt organization act and authorizing the attorney general to prosecute specified crimes that are part of an alleged course of criminal conduct that occurred in two or more counties.

KS SB174

Increasing the criminal penalties for battery of a healthcare provider, adding the placing of controlled substances into pills into the definition of manufacture, increasing the criminal penalties for manufacturing fentanyl and for manufacturing or distributing any controlled substances that are likely to be attractive to minors because of their appearance or packaging, creating a special sentencing rule to make sentences for distributing fentanyl presumptive imprisonment, excluding materials used to detect the presence of fentanyl, ketamine or gamma hydroxybutyric acid from the definition of drug paraphernalia, adding domestic battery and violation of a protection order to the crimes that a person can have the intent to commit when committing burglary or aggravated burglary, increasing criminal penalties for the crime of interference with law enforcement when the violation involves fleeing from a law enforcement officer and authorizing the attorney general to prosecute certain crimes that are part of an alleged course of criminal conduct that occurred in two or more counties.

KS SB244

House Substitute for SB 244 by Committee on Judiciary - Updating the Kansas general corporation code, the business entity transactions act, the business entity standard treatment act, the Kansas revised uniform limited partnership act and the Kansas uniform partnership act.

KS SB146

Requiring the attorney general to carry out certain duties related to investigating sexual abuse committed by a minister of religion.

KS SB187

Providing for payment of interest in civil actions for wrongful conviction and directing the attorney general to seek damages for the state from any person who knowingly contributed to the wrongful conviction and prosecute ouster and criminal proceedings as warranted.

KS SB141

Requiring the attorney general to carry out certain duties related to investigating corruption committed by a public officer or public employee.

KS SB279

Granting law enforcement officials access to the prescription monitoring program database without a warrant and replacing the member of the program advisory committee representing the Kansas bureau of investigation with the attorney general or the attorney general's designee.

KS SB7

Authorizing federally licensed firearm dealers, in addition to county sheriffs, to receive applications for concealed carry licenses and forward such applications to the attorney general, prohibiting sheriffs from assessing any fee related to application services and allowing dealers to assess a fee related to application services not to exceed $20.

KS SB317

Permitting a prosecution for childhood sexual abuse to be commenced at any time, extending the time to file civil actions for recovery of damages caused by childhood sexual abuse and providing exceptions in the Kansas tort claims act for claims arising from such abuse.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.