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Minutes for HB2329 - Committee on Judiciary
Short Title
Increasing the cumulative detention limit for juvenile offenders and criminal penalties for juvenile offenders who use a firearm in the commission of an offense or who are repeat offenders, providing for increased placement of offenders in non-foster home beds in youth residential facilities, requiring the secretary of corrections to pay for the costs associated with such placements and authorizing the secretary to make expenditures from the evidence-based programs account of the state general fund moneys to contract for such beds.
Minutes Content for Thu, Jan 22, 2026
Chairwoman opened the hearing on HB2329. With the amount of conferees present, we will split the hearing. Today we will hear the proponent and neutral testimony. We will continue the hearing on Monday, January 26, 2026 and hear the opponent testimony
Natalie Scott provided an overview of the bill and stood for questions (Attachment 1)
Proponents in Person
- Angela Hendrick, Vice President of Operations, KVC Kansas, provided testimony in support of the bill. She states the bill addresses an important issue within Kansas's juvenile justice and child welfare systems: ensuring that youth who are adjudicated for serious offenses are placed in settings that are appropriate for their supervision needs and treatment requirements. (Attachment 2)
- Kristalle Hendrick, Children's Alliance of Kansas, provided testimony in support of the bill. She states they support the bill for three key reasons: the bill strengthens prevention efforts for youth exhibiting criminogenic behaviors, before those behaviors result in foster care placements. Second, the bill expands the continuum of care available to crossover youth. and third, the bill promotes timely and meaningful consequences. (Attachment 3)
- Erica Case, JD, General Counsel, EmberHope provided testimony in support of the bill. They recommend amended language addressing two or more repeat offenses so that documented patterns of escalating conduct can be addressed earlier, preventing deeper penetration into either the child welfare of juvenile justice system. (Attachment 5)
- Matt Stephens, Vice President of Advocacy, St Francis Ministries, provided testimony in support of the bill. He states that the bill should be viewed as an important first step, not a final answer. It represents a necessary course correction in a system that has allowed child welfare to absorb responsibilities that properly belong within juvenile justice. (Attachment 6)
- Gina Meir-Hummel, O'Connell Children's Shelter, provided testimony in support of the bill. She said this bill promotes timely and meaningful consequences for youth who commit violent offenses, while still allowing rehabilitation. This bill supports accountability that is developmentally appropriate and paired with services that reduce the likelihood of re-offense. (Attachment 7)
- Cornelius Gordon, Private Citizen supports this bill, particularly the provisions that restore judicial discretion and creates appropriate placement for juvenile offenders. He says accountability must be swift, proportional, and meaningful especially for juveniles. (Attachment 8)
- Sheriff Jeff Easter, Sedgwick County, Kansas Sheriffs Association; Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police, provided testimony in support for this bill. He stated their interest in this bill is mainly issues dealing with juvenile repeat offenders. They have several issues identified and suggest amendments. (Attachment 9)
- Steve Howe, Kansas County Attorney Association, provided testimony in support of the bill. He stated this bill seeks to provide options for high-risk juvenile offenders which were taken away during the 2017 Juvenile Justice reforms. He asks that additional language be added to the bill to re-institute a youth residential facility option to use to correct behavior for some of the most challenging at risk youth. (Attachment 10)
- Marc Bennett, Kansas Co District Attorney Association, Supports this bill as it seeks to expand the available options to judges in juvenile offender cases beyond the three options currently available: probation, incarceration, or a motion to send the offender to the adult court. (Attachment 11)
Proponents, Written Only:
- Steve Solomon, PhD, Director of Public Policy, TFI Family Services (Attachment 12)
Rachel Mestad, Johnson County Department of Corrections (Attachment 13)
Neutral, In Person:
Stephanie Uberall, Council of State Governments Justice Center, Deputy Director, Corrections and Reentry, provided neutral testimony She discussed the key findings in research and shared the agency and state taskforce approved recommendations (Attachment 14)
Randy Regehr, President, Kansas Community Corrections Association, provided testimony in support of the bill. They support the effort to provide additional options for justice-involved young people The bill needs to clearly specify the youth appropriate for placement and that these facilities be saturated with mental health, behavioral health and substance abuse treatment services. (Attachment 15)
Neutral, Written Only:
Kerrie Lonard, Office of the Child Advocate, Child Advocate (Attachment 16)
Proponents and Neutral Conferees stood for questions and further discussion.
Will continue the hearing on Monday, 1/26/26 for opponent testimony.
Adjourned.11:54
