Requiring a law enforcement officer executing a search warrant at residential premises to be uniformed and to knock and announce themselves before entering the property.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Brett Fairchild and 1 co-sponsor

Requires uniformed officers to knock and announce presence before entering a dwelling to execute a search warrant, regardless of time.

Died in Committee

#crimes #punishmentandcriminalprocedure #lawenforcement

Purpose

HB 2224 changes Kansas law governing execution of search warrants at residential premises. Its primary intent is to require that officers executing a search warrant at a dwelling be in proper uniform and first knock and announce their presence in a manner reasonably expected to be heard by occupants before entering.

Key provisions

Amends K.S.A. 22-2510 (repeals existing section and replaces it).

Maintains that a search warrant may be executed at any time of day or night.

Adds the following requirements when executing a search warrant at a "dwelling":

The law enforcement officer must be properly uniformed.
The officer must knock on the door and announce their presence in a manner reasonably expected to be heard by the occupants before entering to execute the warrant.

Defines "dwelling" as a building, or portion thereof, used or intended for use as a human habitation, home, or residence.

Effective date: upon publication in the statute book.

Who would be affected

Law enforcement officers: new on-scene conduct requirements for residential warrant execution.

Residents/occupants of dwellings subject to search warrants: additional notice protections.

Local governments (counties and municipalities): possible operational or liability implications for police departments.

State agencies involved in criminal justice (courts, prosecutors, defenders): may see litigation or evidentiary questions arising from compliance disputes.

Fiscal impact and legal considerations

Kansas Division of the Budget (fiscal note, 2/20/2025):

State agencies (Attorney General, KBI, Judicial) expect no fiscal effect.
Board of Indigents’ Defense Services noted potential minimal litigation over definitions (e.g., "properly uniformed" or adequacy of knock/announcement); expected to be handled within existing resources.
Kansas Association of Counties and League of Kansas Municipalities indicated potential fiscal effects at the local level if the requirements increase officer risk or lead to more suspects fleeing, but they could not estimate costs.

The bill as drafted does not list explicit exceptions (e.g., exigent circumstances). That absence may be subject to legal interpretation or litigation.

Procedural status (selected milestones)

Introduced: Jan 29, 2025

Referred to: Committee on Judiciary (also referenced to Rules/Executive Committees in subsequent actions)

Executive Committee: Do Pass / Short Debate (03/12/2025)

Placed on calendar for further readings; re-referred to Rules Committee (05/31/2025)

Current status: in committee review / procedural steps pending (see legislative calendar for latest updates).

Notes: Implementation and enforcement will likely be shaped by subsequent rulemaking, departmental policies, and case law clarifying terms such as "properly uniformed" and what constitutes a reasonable announcement.

Bill