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Bill > SB494
KS SB494
KS SB494Expanding the definition of stalking to include more technology-based methods, requiring law enforcement agencies to adopt policies for making primary aggressor assessments when responding to domestic violence calls and requiring a prosecutor to affirm such assessment was completed, prohibiting public agencies from charging fees to victims of domestic violence for public records, allowing evidence of other domestic violence offenses to be admissible in a criminal action in which the defendant is
summary
Introduced
02/05/2026
02/05/2026
In Committee
02/06/2026
02/06/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
AN ACT concerning domestic violence; relating to victims of domestic violence offenses; expanding the definition of course of conduct used in the crime of stalking to include more technology-based methods; requiring law enforcement agencies to adopt policies for making primary aggressor assessments when responding to domestic violence calls; requiring the prosecutor to affirm a primary aggressor analysis was completed when filing a complaint or indictment in a domestic violence case; prohibiting public agencies from charging fees to victims of domestic violence offenses for public records; allowing evidence of other domestic violence offenses to be admissible in a criminal action in which the defendant is accused of a domestic violence offense; adding prohibitions on certain contact to options for protection from abuse or protection from stalking orders; allowing lifetime extension of protection from abuse orders for victims of domestic battery; amending K.S.A. 21-5427, 22-2307, 22-3201, 60-455, 60-3107, 60-31a06 and 75- 7d05 and K.S.A. 2025 Supp. 45-219 and repealing the existing sections.
AI Summary
This bill expands the definition of stalking to include more technology-based methods, such as accessing someone's email or social media accounts to gather information, and using electronic tracking systems or surveillance equipment to monitor their location. It also mandates that law enforcement agencies develop policies for identifying the "primary aggressor" when responding to domestic violence calls, meaning the person who was the most significant aggressor rather than the first one to act, and requires prosecutors to confirm this assessment was done before filing charges. Additionally, public agencies will no longer be allowed to charge fees to victims of domestic violence for public records related to their cases, and evidence of other domestic violence offenses can be used in criminal trials against a defendant accused of a domestic violence offense. The bill also strengthens protection orders by adding prohibitions on certain types of contact and allows for lifetime extensions of protection from abuse orders for victims of domestic battery.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (0)
No sponsors listed
Other Sponsors (1)
Judiciary (S)
Last Action
Senate Referred to Committee on Judiciary (on 02/06/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb494/ |
| BillText | https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/documents/sb494_00_0000.pdf |
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