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HB 2075

Sexual abuse of children; penalty.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Tom Garrett

HB 2075 shortens initial permanency hearings to 9 months after removal and mandates more frequent reviews and court findings to support timely, child-centered permanency decisions.

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Bill Summary · HB 2075

HB 2075 — Summary (Approved April 8, 2025)

Overview

HB 2075 (2025) amends the Revised Kansas Code for the Care of Children to (1) change timing and certain procedural requirements for permanency hearings for children in custody of the Secretary for Children and Families (Secretary/DCF), and (2) clarify when law enforcement may or shall take a child into custody and require DCF support for law enforcement referrals. The bill amends K.S.A. 2024 Supp. 38-2231 and 38-2264. It was introduced Jan. 24, 2025, and was approved by the Governor on April 8, 2025.

Key provisions

  • Permanency hearing timing

    • Initial permanency hearing must be held within 9 months of a child’s removal (current law: 12 months).
    • Subsequent permanency hearings must be held every 6 months thereafter (current law: every 12 months).
    • If statutory findings required by subsection (c)(1) or (2) are not met, a subsequent hearing must be held within 60 days.

  • Findings and participation at permanency hearings

    • At each permanency hearing the court must:
    • Review with present parties (including parents and “interested parties”) the current permanency goal and inquire whether each party participated in, received, and made reasonable efforts regarding the most recent permanency plan; order DCF to provide plan copies within two business days if a party did not receive one.
    • Enter a finding whether reasonable efforts were made by appropriate agencies to rehabilitate/reintegrate the family and achieve the permanency goal.
    • Enter findings about the reasonable-and-prudent parenting standard and opportunities for age-appropriate activities.
    • For children 14+, require documentation of DCF efforts to prepare the youth for transition to adulthood.
    • The enrolled version also requires confirmation that the Secretary has made reasonable efforts for reintegration prior to a permanency hearing (added during amendment process).

  • Law enforcement custody and referral process (K.S.A. 38-2231 amendments)

    • A law enforcement or court services officer shall take a child (under 18) into custody when: there is a court order; probable cause of such an order; imminent risk of harm; verified runaway/missing entry; suspected victim of (aggravated) human trafficking or commercial sexual exploitation; or when experiencing a behavioral health crisis likely to cause harm to self/others.
    • Officers must explore other options to separate the child from harm before removing the child.
    • The Secretary must provide an electronic referral channel for law enforcement to refer suspected abuse/neglect; DCF must initiate an investigation and contact persons subject to the investigation within 24 hours and respond to the referring agency within 24 hours of contact.

  • Technical and conforming amendments throughout the sections.

Who is affected

  • Children in custody of DCF, their parents/relatives and other “interested parties.”
  • DCF/Secretary (operational duties, referral response).
  • Law enforcement and court services officers (custody rules, referral procedures).
  • State and county courts (more frequent hearings, additional findings and review duties).
  • Foster families and placement providers (reasonable-and-prudent parenting standard reporting).

Fiscal impact

  • DCF estimates ~50% of children in foster care would have two fewer months in out-of-home placement, producing an estimated annual savings of $7.0 million total, including $4.9 million from the State General Fund beginning FY2026.
  • Office of Judicial Administration indicates a negligible fiscal effect on the Judiciary.

Legislative/timeline highlights

  • Introduced Jan. 24, 2025 (House Committee on Child Welfare & Foster Care, requested by Secretary Laura Howard).
  • Amended in committee and on the floor (House and Senate); Senate Committee of the Whole added confirmation of reasonable efforts and required court findings.
  • Conference committee reports adopted unanimously; enrolled and presented to Governor (April 4, 2025); approved April 8, 2025.

Notes: The bill contains multiple amendments across committee and conference stages; this summary focuses on enacted provisions as reflected in the enrolled version and committee reports.

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

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