The bill establishes new requirements for offenders convicted of crimes related to commercial sexual exploitation, mandating the completion of an educational or treatment program approved by the attorney general in consultation with the office of judicial administration. It amends K.S.A. 21-6421 to classify buying sexual relations as a severity level 9 felony, with fines ranging from $2,000 to $5,000, and requires offenders to complete the educational program as part of their sentencing. The bill also repeals previous provisions that allowed for the counting of prior convictions when enhancing penalties for buying sexual relations, while emphasizing the importance of reporting and maintaining records related to these offenses.

Additionally, the bill modifies laws regarding diversion agreements, allowing individuals to enter into such agreements only once in their lifetime for violations of the relevant section, and prohibits those who have previously entered into a diversion agreement for a similar ordinance prior to July 1, 2025, from doing so again. It categorizes commercial sexual exploitation of a child as a severity level 4 felony, escalating to a severity level 2 felony for repeat offenders, with fines directed to the human trafficking victim assistance fund. The legislation also clarifies that cities and counties can enact their own ordinances regarding prohibited acts, provided that penalties align with state law, and it will take effect upon publication in the statute book.

Statutes affected:
As introduced: 12-4106, 12-4120, 8-1, 12-4416, 21-5426, 21-6421, 21-6422, 22-2909
As Amended by House Committee: 12-4106, 12-4120, 8-1, 12-4416, 21-5426, 21-6421, 21-6422, 22-2909