The bill amends K.S.A. 21-5414 to impose stricter regulations on offenders convicted of domestic battery. It specifically limits or prohibits work release for offenders convicted of a second or third domestic battery offense. Additionally, it mandates that offenders convicted of a first offense undergo a domestic violence offender assessment conducted by a certified batterer intervention program and follow all recommendations made by such program. The bill also modifies the conditions under which offenders can be granted probation, suspension of sentence, or parole, requiring them to serve a minimum of 20 days' imprisonment before being eligible for such options.

Furthermore, the bill clarifies the definitions of domestic battery and aggravated domestic battery, detailing the penalties associated with each offense. It establishes that a second offense is classified as a class A misdemeanor, while a third offense is classified as a person felony. The bill repeals the existing section of K.S.A. 21-5414 and replaces it with the new provisions, which aim to enhance the accountability of offenders and provide necessary interventions to prevent future incidents of domestic violence. The act will take effect upon publication in the Kansas register.

Statutes affected:
As introduced: 21-5414
As Amended by House Committee: 21-5414
{As Amended by House Committee of the Whole}: 21-5414
As Amended by Senate Committee: 21-5414