The proposed bill introduces significant reforms to the Kansas criminal code, particularly concerning 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 prior to this date may still face execution. The bill redefines aggravated murder, specifying circumstances that qualify a killing as such, and classifies it as an off-grid person felony. Additionally, it mandates that individuals sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole will remain incarcerated for life, and it removes references to "capital murder," replacing them with "aggravated murder." The bill also introduces "Alexa's law," expanding the definitions of "person" and "human being" to include unborn children in certain legal contexts.

Furthermore, the bill amends various statutes related to the expungement of criminal records, allowing individuals convicted of certain misdemeanors and non-grid felonies to petition for expungement after specified waiting periods. It establishes stricter regulations for postrelease supervision, particularly for sexually violent crimes, and outlines the conditions under which individuals may apply for waivers regarding employment disqualifications due to criminal convictions. The bill emphasizes public safety while providing pathways for rehabilitation and expungement, ensuring that the legal framework surrounding serious criminal offenses and the management of criminal records is refined and updated.

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