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Minutes for HB2192 - Committee on Corrections and Juvenile Justice
Short Title
Authorizing court services officers and community corrections officers to provide a certification of identification to offenders for use to obtain a new driver's license.
Minutes Content for Mon, Feb 8, 2021
Chairperson Jennings opened the hearing on HB2192.
Natalie Scott, Assistant Revisor, gave an overview of HB2192. (Attachment 6) Questions presented from the Committee were addressed.
Kendall Seal testified in support of HB2192 stating HB2192 helps individuals meet probation obligations and is an inexpensive method to remove barriers to successful reentry and rehabilitation. (Attachment 7)
Jay Armbrister testified in support of HB2192 stating individuals leaving prison or jail who do not have valid identification or a driver’s license face barriers to successfully transition to normal life. A valid ID or driver’s license is needed to gain employment, cash a check, open a bank account, or apply for assistance for their family. Sheriff Armbrister noted failure to obtain employment leads to revocation and return to prison or jail. The Douglas County Reentry program has assisted these individuals for the last ten years by investing resources through the Sheriff’s Office who work with the local Division of Motor Vehicles to accept booking paperwork and photo to identify folks who do not have the required documents to be able to get a state ID or driver’s license application processed. Passing HB2192 would allow these resources to be applied to overcoming other barriers for those individuals leaving prison or jail. (Attachment 8)
Mathew Faulk, testified in support of HB2192 stating passage of the bill would eliminate a significant barrier for this population allowing individuals leaving prison or jail to reenter their community more quickly, and obtain employment, housing, and healthcare. (Attachment 9)
Written only proponent testimony was submitted by:
- Randy Bowman, Executive Director Public Affairs, Kansas Dept of Corrections (Attachment 10)
- John Jenks, Director, Public Policy, The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce (Attachment 11)
- Jill Jolicoeur, Douglas County Administrator and Lea Roselyn, Douglas County United Way (Attachment 12)
- Spence Koehn, Court Services Specialist, Office of Judicial Administration (Attachment 13)
- Mike Smith, Chief Court Services Officer, 23rd Judicial District, Kansas Association of Court Services Officers (Attachment 14)
- Pam Weigand, Director, Douglas County Criminal Justice Services (Attachment 15)
Questions presented from the Committee were addressed.
There was no opponent or neutral testimony.
Chairperson Jennings called for final questions from the Committee.
The hearing on HB2192 was closed.
Chairperson Jennings commended Sheriff Armbrister who like other sheriffs around the state take an enlightened approach and make an extra effort at offering a higher level of service to find solutions to issues and give people a fair chance.
The next meeting will be February 9, 2021.
Meeting adjourned at 2:35 p.m.
