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Bill

SB 110

Prohibiting the use of restraints during hearings under the revised Kansas juvenile justice code unless restraints are deemed appropriate by the court.

2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas bill requiring judges to individually approve restraint use on juveniles in court hearings rather than allowing automatic or routine restraint practices.

Died in Committee
#childrenandminors #crimes #punishmentandcriminalprocedure
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Bill Summary · SB 110

Legislative bill overview

SB 110 would restrict the use of physical restraints on juveniles during court hearings under Kansas's revised juvenile justice code, requiring judicial approval before restraints can be applied. The bill establishes that restraints should only be used when a court explicitly determines they are appropriate for a specific case, rather than allowing routine or automatic restraint practices.

Why is this important

Restraint practices in juvenile courts can impact a youth's dignity, courtroom behavior, and long-term perception of the justice system. This bill addresses concerns about whether standard restraint procedures are necessary for all juveniles or whether courts should make individualized determinations, potentially affecting how thousands of Kansas youth experience the judicial process annually.

Potential points of contention

  • Public safety vs. individual consideration: Debate over whether requiring case-by-case judicial decisions on restraints could compromise courtroom security or create unpredictable safety conditions
  • Judicial efficiency and workload: Concerns that requiring explicit court approval for each restraint decision adds procedural steps and judicial time, potentially slowing proceedings
  • Consistency and standards: Questions about whether removing default restraint policies creates inconsistent treatment across different judges and courtrooms, or whether individualized decisions are more equitable

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

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