This bill amends the Kansas sentencing guidelines by specifying how courts should evaluate prior violations of law when determining a person's criminal history classification, particularly in relation to driving under the influence (DUI) offenses. The bill introduces new legal language that mandates courts to consider certain factors when assessing whether a prior violation is comparable to DUI-related crimes. It also clarifies how various prior convictions, including those for misdemeanors and felonies, should be scored for criminal history purposes, particularly focusing on the classification of out-of-state convictions and juvenile adjudications.

Additionally, the bill repeals the existing section of K.S.A. 21-6811, effectively replacing it with the newly amended provisions. Key changes include the removal of the word "which" in favor of "that" in several instances, streamlining the language for clarity. The amendments are intended to be procedural and will be applied retroactively, ensuring that they affect past cases as well. Overall, the bill aims to create a more consistent and fair approach to sentencing by refining how prior offenses are evaluated in the context of DUI and related crimes.

Statutes affected:
As introduced: 21-6811