Kansas Juvenile Justice Reform Handbook 2017
This handbook provides the background on the need for reform, the specific provisions of Senate Bill 367, when the law goes into effect, and the overwhelming support for reform of the system.
Published 2017-06-01How does Senate Bill 367 address problems in the juvenile justice
system in Kansas and what does Senate Bill 367 (2016) do?
- Requires the state to fund evidence-based community programs
with 100% of all money that otherwise would have been spent on
juvenile incarceration or other out-of-home placements. - Sets case and probation length limits for misdemeanors and low-
level felonies so cases don’t drag on for years. - Requires each school district to create a memorandum of
understanding with local law enforcement agencies and other
stakeholders to reduce the number of students referred to law
enforcement for misbehavior at school. - Implements additional oversight and procedural protections
including the Kansas Juvenile Justice Oversight Committee to
oversee the implementation of reforms and relevant data.
Senate Bill 367 (2016) passed the Kansas Senate with a unanimous vote
of 40-0, and it passed the Kansas House with a very strong majority of
118-5. Both the Governor and Chief Justice of the Kansas Supreme
Court participated in and support the reform efforts. SB367 (2016) was a
rare achievement of bi-partisan collaboration during the 2016 legislative
session.
Download the handbook for more information.