Bill > HB2177

This bill increases criminal penalties for individuals who flee or attempt to elude a police officer, with escalating severity based on the number of prior offenses. Under the revised law, first-time offenders who fail to stop when signaled by a police vehicle or bicycle would be charged with a Class B nonperson misdemeanor, while those with one prior conviction would face a Class A nonperson misdemeanor. For individuals with two or more prior convictions, the offense becomes a severity level 9, person felony. The bill also introduces more stringent penalties for more dangerous fleeing scenarios, such as driving the wrong way on a highway, causing evasive maneuvers, or attempting to evade capture for a felony. These additional offenses now carry increasingly severe penalties: from a severity level 9 person felony for first-time offenders to a severity level 5 person felony for those with two or more prior convictions. The bill also mandates a minimum $500 fine if the driver is operating a stolen vehicle during the offense. These changes aim to discourage repeated instances of fleeing from law enforcement and address the escalating risk posed by repeat offenders.

Justice

Corrections and Juvenile Justice (H)

https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2177/