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Minutes for HB2473 - Committee on Corrections and Juvenile Justice
Short Title
Modifying the penalties for sexual contact between certain juveniles and excluding such juveniles from offender registration.
Minutes Content for Tue, Feb 4, 2020
Natalie Scott gave an overview of HB2473.
The Committee had questions and comments.
Judge Ben Sexton on behalf of the Kansas Judicial Council and its Advisory Board testified in support of HB2473. He stated the Committee's proposed changes are not intended to encourage prosecutors to charge minors; rather, they are intended to be a more accurate reflection of the seriousness of the conduct involved. (Attachment 1)
The Committee had questions and comments.
Thomas Witt on behalf of Equality Kansas testified in support of HB2473. He stated the difference in how teens are treated is staggering over 20 years in prison for LGBT teens vs. a maximum of 23 months for heterosexual teens. (Attachment 2)
Written testimony in support of HB2473 was submitted by:
- Jennifer Roth on behalf of Kansas Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (Attachment 3)
- Mike Fonkert on behalf of Kansas Appleseed (Attachment 4)
Chairperson Jennings called for final questions from the Committee and then closed the hearing.
