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HB 2774

Increasing penalties for the crimes of assault and battery if committed against a public-facing worker while such worker is engaged in the performance of such worker's assigned duties.

2025-2026 Regular Session

HB 2774 would increase penalties for assaults and batteries against public-facing workers while they perform their duties.

Died in Committee
#crimes #punishmentandcriminalprocedure
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Bill Summary · HB 2774

Overview

HB 2774 (Kansas, 2025-2026) seeks to increase penalties for assaults and batteries when the crime is committed against a public-facing worker while the worker is performing duties. The bill adds or augments statutory penalties to protect individuals who interact with the public as part of their job.

Main purpose and intent

  • Increase the seriousness of offenses involving assault and battery against public-facing workers.
  • Provide enhanced penalties specifically tied to the worker’s role and duties, aiming to deter violence toward individuals who serve the public in at least some frontline capacity.
  • Align penalties with the heightened risk and impact on public-facing employees performing their assigned tasks.

Key provisions and changes

  • Creates or elevates penalties for assault and battery when the victim is a public-facing worker and the offense occurs during the performance of the worker’s duties.
  • The bill’s language suggests a linkage between the worker’s status (public-facing) and the location/time of the offense (while performing assigned duties) to trigger enhanced penalties.
  • Potentially defines “public-facing worker” and “engaged in the performance of such worker’s assigned duties,” though specific statutory definitions are not provided in the given summary.
  • Applies to offenses committed against workers such as those in roles that routinely interact with the public (e.g., retail employees, law enforcement, healthcare workers, transit staff), depending on the bill’s definitions.

Note: The exact degree of penalty enhancement (e.g., specific additional prison terms, fines, or sentencing guidelines) is not specified in the provided information. The bill’s enactment would modify sentencing for qualifying assaults or batteries.

Who would be affected

  • Public-facing workers who are performing their duties at the time of the offense (the primary victims).
  • Offenders convicted of qualifying assaults or batteries against these workers.
  • Employers and public agencies employing or contracting with public-facing workers, as they may be subject to compliance considerations and potential internal policies aligned with the bill.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduced: February 11, 2026.
  • Referred to: House Committee on Appropriations (February 11, 2026), indicating consideration of fiscal impact and budgetary implications.
  • Died in Committee: April 10, 2026, meaning the bill did not advance to the full chamber and did not become law in the current session.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Public safety: If enacted, could deter assaults on frontline workers by increasing penalties and signaling societal emphasis on protecting those serving the public.
  • Judicial and fiscal impact: Enhanced penalties may affect sentencing outcomes and could have budgetary implications related to prison costs or enforcement resources; the Appropriations referral suggests a fiscal review.
  • Clarity and implementation: Success depends on clear statutory definitions for “public-facing worker” and “engaged in the performance of such worker’s assigned duties” and how courts apply the enhanced penalties across varying job contexts.

Summary

HB 2774 aimed to strengthen penalties for assaults and batteries targeting public-facing workers during the execution of their duties. Although introduced and referred to appropriations, the measure died in committee on April 10, 2026, and therefore did not advance to enactment. If reconsidered in a future session, key considerations would include precise definitions, scope of offenses covered, and the anticipated fiscal impact.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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