Signed by Governor Laura Kelly

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with house amendments and pass a bill that authorizes the chief justice of the Kansas supreme court to extend or suspend deadlines or time limitations to secure the health and safety of court users, staff, and judicial officers as a result of COVID-19.

Highlights:

• Authorizes the chief justice of the Kansas supreme court, during any state of disaster emergency, to issue an order to extend or suspend any deadlines or time limitations established by statute when the chief justice determines such action is necessary to secure  the health and safety of court users, staff, and judicial officers (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes the chief justice of the Kansas supreme court to issue an order to authorize the use of two-way electronic audio-visual communication in any court proceeding when the chief justice determines such action is necessary to secure  the health and safety of court users, staff, and judicial officers (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that any of the above mentioned orders can remain in effect for up to 150 days after a state of disaster emergency is terminated (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that the provisions of this section will expire on March 31, 2021 (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that if an order issued pursuant to section 1 is terminated, any trial scheduled to occur during the time such order was in effect will be placed back on the court schedule within 150 days (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text