TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly joined activists and legislators Thursday who reflected on a four-year journey to adoption of a Kansas law ending the statute of limitations on criminal prosecution for alleged child sexual abuse and extending opportunity to file lawsuits in those cases.
The legislation had been discussed off and on for years before Senate Substitute for House Bill 2127 gained traction during the 2023 session and was unanimously passed 120-0 in the House and 40-0 by the Senate. Kelly executed a ceremonial signing of the bill in the Capitol rotunda, which followed official signing of the legislation in April.
“It goes to show this is an issue that transcends partisan politics,” Kelly said. “This will help get child predators off the streets, make our communities safer and protect other children from becoming victims.”
Senate President Ty Masterson, a Republican from Andover, said negotiations led to a bill that struck the right balance within the legal system.
“It was time to create some openings. It was about bringing help to the victims,” he said.
Under the new Kansas law, criminal prosecution for sexual abuse of a person under 18 years of age could occur at any time. A statute of limitations would no longer apply, which would bring those crimes in line with cases of murder, terrorism or rape.
The reform bill also extended the timeframe for filing civil actions to recover damages. Going forward a lawsuit could be brought within 13 years of a victim’...
Police have launched an investigation into alleged false accusation by Park Cheol-min, a former member of the Seongnam International Mafia. Park, ahead of the 2022 presidential election, raised al...