Chairwoman Warren opened the hearing on HB2412.

Natalie Scott, Revisor's Office, provided an overview of the bill and stood for questions. (Attachment 1)

Ken Collins, Representative 2nd District, testified in support of the bill.  He stated this bill will hopefully be a deterrent to make people think before they put a young child in an endangering situation and allow for punishments that more closely reflect the severity of the crime.  (Attachment 2

 Jordan Chessher, Founder Project Heaven Child Advocacy, provided testimony supporting the bill.  He states he supports this bill not only for one child, but for every Kansas child whose safety depends on the strength and clarity of the laws we pass today.  (Attachment 3)

Shelby Cannon, Private Citizen, testified in support of the bill.  She said this bill matters because it strengthens protections for children who cannot speak, cannot escape, and cannot defend themselves.  It acknowledges that child abuse and child endangerment involving our youngest children deserve stronger accountability and meaningful consequences.  (Attachment 4)

Debra Hobbs, Private Citizen, testified in support of the bill.  She asks the committee to please help protect the youngest and most vulnerable Kansas.  Please help ensure that families are not left carrying a lifetime of consequences while accountability lasts only weeks. (Attachment 5)

Lisa Eastwood, Private Citizen, testified in support of the bill.  She stated the this bill matters because it recognizes that endangering a child under the age of six is not a minor offense.  This bill sends a clear message that our state values its youngest and most vulnerable children enough to hold adults meaningfully accountable when they fail them. - (Attachment 6)

Chairwoman Warren closed the hearing on HB2412.