The proposed bill introduces significant reforms to Kansas's sentencing laws, particularly regarding the death penalty and aggravated murder. It establishes that no individual shall be sentenced to death for crimes committed on or after July 1, 2025, while those convicted of crimes before this date may still face the death penalty. The bill redefines aggravated murder, specifying the circumstances under which a killing qualifies as such, and classifies it as an off-grid person felony, resulting in life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. Additionally, it amends existing statutes to ensure that individuals sentenced to life without parole remain incarcerated for their natural lives, and it clarifies the definitions and prosecution of attempts to commit aggravated murder and other serious crimes.

Furthermore, the bill addresses the expungement of criminal records, allowing individuals convicted of certain crimes to petition for expungement under specific conditions, including the possibility for those convicted of prostitution to seek expungement if they can prove coercion. It specifies that serious offenses, such as sexual crimes and violent felonies, are ineligible for expungement. The bill also outlines the process for expungement petitions, including necessary information and fees, and emphasizes the importance of public safety while providing a pathway for individuals to clear their records. Overall, the legislation aims to reform the state's approach to capital punishment, serious violent crimes, and the management of criminal records.

Statutes affected:
As introduced: 21-5301, 21-5402, 21-5419, 21-6328, 21-6614, 21-6618, 21-6620, 21-6622, 21-6628, 21-6629, 21-6621, 21-6623, 21-6624, 21-6625, 21-6806, 22-2512, 21-6301, 22-3717, 22-4902, 22-4906, 23-3222, 38-2255, 38-2271, 38-2266, 38-2303, 38-2312, 38-2365, 39-970, 39-2009, 65-5117, 72-2165, 75-52, 39-2009a