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Minutes for HB2708 - Committee on Corrections and Juvenile Justice
Short Title
Creating a drug abuse treatment program for people on diversion and allowing county attorneys to enter into agreements with court services and community corrections for supervision.
Minutes Content for Thu, Feb 20, 2020
Natalie Scott gave an overview of HB2708.
The Committee had questions and comments.
Scott Schultz testified in support of HB2708 on behalf of Kansas Sentencing Commission. He stated the bill provides that placement of divertees in the certified drug abuse treatment program is limited to placement of adults for a felony violation of K.S.A. 2019 Supp. 21-5706 (possession of a controlled substance). (Attachment 5)
The Committee had questions and comments.
Kim Parker testified in support of HB2708 on behalf of Marc Bennett with the Kansas Criminal Justice Reform Commission. Currently, when diversion is offered to a defendant in a criminal case, the county/district attorney is responsible for supervision of the divertee. A few offices have staff allocated for this purpose but, in a state where the vast majority of prosecutor's offices are staffed by a single prosecutor (many of whom are part time), very few offices have sufficient staff to supervise criminal diversions. (Attachment 6)
Written only testimony in support of HB2708 was submitted by:
- Kim Parker, Kansas County and District Attorney’s Association (Attachment 7)
- Ed Klumpp, Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police, Kansas Sheriffs' Association, and Kansas Peace Officers Association (Attachment 8)
Written only testimony in a neutral position of HB2708 was submitted by Amy Raymond on behalf of the Office of Judicial Administration. (Attachment 9)
Written only testimony in opposition of HB2708 was submitted by Nick Reinecker. (Attachment 10)
Chairperson Jennings called for final questions from the Committee and then closed the hearing.
Chairperson Jennings adjourned the meeting.
