This next week, the following bills of interest to Kansas Family lawyers will be heard by Senate Committees:

On Thursday, March 8, 2012 starting at 1:30 pm, the Senate Education Committee will hear testimony on 2012 #HB2444, which was passed by the Kansas House last week and would require that all Kansas schools and school districts follow the Kansas Board of Education Guidelines on Seclusion and Restraint. Testimony in the House showed that contrary to the guidelines, many schools allow the use of seclusions and restraints by untrained individuals on students, including those with mental and physical impairments (e.g. Autism and other Spectrum disorders)  http://t.co/aa8uwa3k

On Thursday, March 8, 2012 starting at 9:30am, the Senate Judiciary Committee will hear testimony on 2012 #HB261, which was  passed by the Kansas House last week and would mandate that courts extend protection from abuse and protection from stalking orders for at least two years and allow extension for up to the lifetime of a defendant if the defendant has violated a valid protection order, been convicted of a person felony, OR been convicted of conspiracy, criminal solicitation, or attempt of a person felony, committed against the plaintiff or any member of the plaintiff’s household. http://t.co/i19h8Zns

On Thursday, March 8, 2012 starting at 9:30am, the Senate Judiciary Committee will hear testimony on 2012 #HB2533, which was passed by the Kansas House last week and would expand the list of persons required to report suspected child abuse to “any employee, contractor, or administrator of any public or private educational institution in the state who works in a position of authority over a child in an official capacity, if such child is a student enrolled in and attending, or participating in a program or event at such educational institution,” as well as requiring that any animal control officer report any suspected abuse. This bill has been referred to as the “Penn-State bill.” http://t.co/jwDfmvpV

On Thursday, March 8, 2012 starting at 9:30am, the Senate Judiciary Committee will hear testimony on  2012 #HB2534, which was passed by the Kansas House last week and would require the reporting of any death or disappearance of a child as well as any interference with law enforcement investigating such a death or disappearance and provide penalties for failing to make the report as required. This bill has been referred to as “Caylee’s law” after Caylee Anthony http://kslegislature.org/li/b2011_12/measures/hb2534/

Anyone wishing to appear before the Judiciary Committee should contact Theresa Kiernan, the Committee Assistant 785-296-6817 or email theresa.kiernan@senate.ks.gov. Unless advance arrangements are made, testimony must be submitted electronically as well as with 30-hard copies to Room 559-S no later than 24 hours preceding the time of the hearing.