Division of the Budget
Landon State Office Building Phone: (785) 296-2436
900 SW Jackson Street, Room 504 adam.c.proffitt@ks.gov
Topeka, KS 66612 Division of the Budget http://budget.kansas.gov
Adam Proffitt, Director Laura Kelly, Governor


February 16, 2023


The Honorable Kellie Warren, Chairperson
Senate Committee on Judiciary
300 SW 10th Avenue, Room 346-S
Topeka, Kansas 66612
Dear Senator Warren:
SUBJECT: Fiscal Note for SB 239 by Senate Committee on Judiciary
In accordance with KSA 75-3715a, the following fiscal note concerning SB 239 is
respectfully submitted to your committee.
SB 239 would specify that in any criminal proceeding, a vulnerable witness would have
the right to be accompanied by a support person while giving testimony in the proceeding and may
be accompanied by a certified critical incident response therapy K9 team instead of a support
person. A support person would not be allowed to discuss the testimony of the vulnerable witness
with any other witnesses or attempt to prompt or influence the testimony of the witness. Prior to
the use of a certified critical incident response therapy K9 team, the court could conduct a hearing
to verify the credentials of the team, that the team is appropriately insured, and that a relationship
has been established between the witness and the team in anticipation of the testimony. The bill
outlines the knowledge and training requirements for the certified critical incident response
therapy K9 team.
The Office of Judicial Administration states enactment of the bill could have a fiscal effect
on Judicial Branch operations because the bill’s provisions could require an additional hearing if
the witness wants to be accompanied by a certified critical incident response therapy K9 team,
which would increase the time spent by judges and court employees researching and processing
these cases. According to the Office, a fiscal effect cannot be estimated until the Judicial Branch
has had an opportunity to operate under the bill’s provisions. Any fiscal effect associated with SB
239 is not reflected in The FY 2024 Governor’s Budget Report.


Sincerely,

Adam Proffitt
Director of the Budget
cc: Vicki Jacobsen, Judiciary