Bill > HB2412

This bill modifies Kansas state law concerning child endangerment by increasing criminal penalties for cases involving children under six years old. Specifically, the bill changes the classification of child endangerment offenses based on the child's age, creating more severe penalties for incidents involving very young children. For children under six, endangering a child would now be classified as a severity level 9 person felony, compared to a Class A misdemeanor for older children. Similarly, aggravated endangering a child would be elevated from a severity level 9 to a severity level 8 person felony for children under six, and from a severity level 6 to a severity level 5 person felony if bodily harm is inflicted on a child under six. The bill maintains existing provisions about specific endangerment scenarios, such as exposing children to methamphetamine or fentanyl-related manufacturing environments, and retains language protecting parents who use spiritual treatment in good faith. The new classifications aim to provide stronger legal consequences for endangering very young and vulnerable children, reflecting a legislative intent to offer enhanced protection for the most vulnerable age group.

Justice

https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2412/