By: Tim Carpenter
Kansas Reflector
TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly put a signature to a bundled law enforcement bill Friday elevating consequences for conviction of buying sexual relations, misuse of a laser pointer and crimes of vehicle and gift-card theft.
The legislation was a holdover from the 2025 legislative session that required final negotiations by the House and Senate. The deal was passed in January by a 119-4 margin in the House and a vote of 39-0 in the Senate.
“This bipartisan bill takes reasonable steps to ensure that Kansans are safe and that crime is being addressed in our communities,” the Democratic governor said. “Enhancing public safety is essential to building a Kansas where businesses and families want to put down roots.”
House Bill 2347 created the crime of unlawful use of a laser pointer so individuals could be charged with assault or battery if accused of knowingly directing a beam at law enforcement officers performing official duties or into the flight path or cabin of aircraft. Exemptions were added to the bill for aviation research, operations of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Department of Defense or for a person using a laser in an emergency.
A measure also increased criminal penalties for purchasing sexual relations and limited use by prosecutors and defendants of diversion agreements. The offense would be classified as a level nine felony, even on the first offense, and the minimum fine would rise from $1,200 to $2,000. Individuals convicted of the offense would be required after July 1, 2027, to participate in a treatment program approved by the office of the state attorney general.
Kansas statute was amended so gift cards would be on the list of financial cards for which a prosecutor could charge individuals for illegally obtaining money, goods or services.
The last piece of the bill, which was recommended by the Wichita Police Department, altered theft of a motor vehicle valued at $500 to $1,500 to target a person who “has reason to know” a vehicle was stolen rather than a person “knowing” the vehicle was stolen.
Rep. Dan Osman, D-Overland Park, said he supported the bipartisan legislation because it made broad reasonable changes to combat crime and make communities safer in Kansas.
Sen. Kenny Titus, R-Manhattan said the bill “will reduce the demand for human trafficking and allow for easier prosecution of scamsters using gift cards to take advantage of vulnerable Kansans.”