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SB 96KANSASSession 2025-2026State Billdead
Did Not Advance

Kansas Bill Establishes Criminal Penalties and Civil Actions for Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law

Original title: AN ACT concerning deprivation of rights under color of law; creating the crime of deprivation of rights under color of law and providing criminal penalties therefor; authorizing a civil cause of action; requiring restitution to the victim; amending K.S.A. 22-3424 and repealing the existing section.

Last action · April 10, 2026: Died in CommitteeSponsor: David Haley

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓
Introduced
Committee
Floor Vote
Passed
Law

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What This Bill Proposed

Kansas Senate Bill 96 creates a new criminal offense for depriving individuals of constitutional or statutory rights under , categorizing offenses from misdemeanors to felonies depending on the resulting harm or monetary loss. The measure authorizes victims to file civil lawsuits to recover triple actual damages or $10,000, whichever is greater, and mandates in criminal sentencing.

Why it matters

Creates a distinct state-level criminal charge and civil cause of action for rights violations committed under , establishing specific monetary penalties, mandatory , and a three-year statute of limitations for civil filings.

Background
  • Senate Bill 96 was introduced in the Kansas Senate during the 2025-2026 legislative session and ultimately died in committee. context
  • The phrase 'under color of law' refers to actions taken by individuals who exploit their official authority or government power to deprive others of their legal rights. context

Who It Would Have Affected

Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

victims of rights violations under color of law

Victims gain the ability to file civil lawsuits for triple damages or $10,000, request attorney general representation, and receive court-ordered restitution.

Directly affected

individuals acting under color of law

Individuals acting under color of law face new criminal misdemeanor and felony classifications, monetary penalties, and civil liability for rights violations.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

What constitutes deprivation of rights under color of law under this bill?
It is any action by any person under that knowingly deprives another person of constitutional or statutory rights, resulting in bodily harm, great bodily harm, injury with a deadly weapon, rude physical contact, mental anguish, or monetary loss.
What is the penalty for monetary losses caused by rights deprivations?
Losses under $1,000 are a class A nonperson misdemeanor; losses between $1,000 and $25,000 are a severity level 9 nonperson felony; and losses of $25,000 or more are a severity level 7 nonperson felony.
Can victims file civil lawsuits under this legislation?
Yes, injured persons may bring a civil action in an appropriate state court to recover up to three times their actual damages or $10,000, whichever is greater, plus suit costs and reasonable attorney fees.
Who can assist victims in pursuing these cases?
At the victim's request, the attorney general may pursue cases on behalf of any Kansas victim under this section.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

This bill did not become law - Died in committee.

Procedural history

3 actions
  1. Apr 10, 2026Senate
    Died in Committee
  2. Jan 29, 2025SenateCommittee
    Referred to Senate Committee on Judiciary
  3. Jan 28, 2025SenateIntroduced
    Introduced

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

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Lobbying Activity

No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.

Full breakdown

Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.

Sponsors

David HaleySenate · District 4DemocraticPrimary sponsor

Discoveries

1 pattern noticed across the record

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift95% confidence

Creation of State-Level Civil and Criminal Remedies for Rights Deprivations

The bill introduces specific criminal felony classifications for monetary losses and physical harm under color of law, paired with a mandatory treble damages civil remedy.

KansasAttorney GeneralHuman Trafficking Victim Assistance Fund

Connected Entities

Human Trafficking Victim Assistance Fund, Kansas, Attorney General
OrganizationHuman Trafficking Victim Assistance Fund“Receives unclaimed restitution funds after five years”Map →
locationKansas“Jurisdiction enacting the legislation”Map →
OrganizationAttorney General“Authorized to pursue cases on behalf of Kansas victims at their request”Map →

Sources

Open source document

www.kslegislature.gov

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance20
    Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 75)
  • Controversy70
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment10
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz40
    Current news / social attention level

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