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Minutes for HB2096 - Committee on Transparency and Ethics
Short Title
Authorizing department of corrections employees, local correctional or detention officers, judicial branch employees, municipal court employees and administrative hearing officers to have identifying information restricted from public access on public websites that identify home addresses or home ownership.
Minutes Content for Wed, Mar 24, 2021
Chairperson Bowers opened the hearing on HB2096. Jason Long, staff revisor, presented a briefing on the bill.
Sheriff Jeff Easter testified in support of HB2096. Sheriff Easter's testimony indicated Corrections personnel are not included in current law. Sheriff Easter stated Corrections are a very important piece of the criminal justice system, and they believe they should be afforded the same protections as other at-risk members of the system. (Attachment 1)
Joseph Molina testified in support of HB2096. Mr. Molina explained why this bill is important by describing some documented cases of threats made to hearing officers. Mr. Molina indicated this bill would make it more difficult for people who want to make threats or do other things such as putting liens on real and personal property. (Attachment 2)
Krisena Silva testified in support of HB2096. Ms. Silva provided examples of judicial branch employees being contacted at their homes by individuals who have matters pending in the courts. Ms. Silva stated like other public sector employees identified in the bill and the underlying statute, they believe the protection afforded those employees should also be extended to all judicial branch employees and judges. (Attachment 3)
Randall Bowman testified in support of HB2096. Mr. Bowman indicated current law has historically had parole officers and others that are on their staff, but it doesn't represent their entire workforce. Mr. Bowman's testimony stated the bill will provide needed personal protection for local correctional officers and detention officers, employees of the Kansas Department of Corrections, and the employees of the judicial branch. (Attachment 4)
Written testimony in support of HB2096 was submitted by:
Chief Judge Merlin G. Wheeler, Fifth Judicial District (Attachment 5)
After questions from the Committee were addressed, Chairperson Bowers closed the hearing on HB2096.
