Kansas SB60: Prohibiting second and successive motions and ineffective counsel claims in habeas corpus actions and providing for direct appeal to the supreme court in habeas corpus appeals filed by inmates sentenced to death

What the bill says

An act concerning civil procedure; relating to habeas corpus; prohibiting second and successive motions in certain circumstances; prohibiting claims of ineffective counsel; providing appeals to the supreme court as a matter of right in claims filed by inmates sentenced to death; amending K.S.A. 2024 Supp. 60-1507 and 60-2102 and repealing the existing sections.

From the introduced text, January 22, 2025:

AN ACT concerning civil procedure; relating to habeas corpus; prohibiting second and successive motions in certain circumstances; prohibiting claims of ineffective counsel; providing appeals to the supreme court as a matter of right in claims filed by inmates sentenced to death; amending K.S.A. 2024 Supp. 60-1507 and 60-2102 and repealing the existing sections. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Kansas: Section 1. K.S.A. 2024 Supp. 60-1507 is hereby amended to read as follows: 60-1507. (a) Motion attacking sentence. A prisoner in custody under sentence of a court of general jurisdiction claiming the right to be released upon the ground that the sentence was imposed in violation of the constitution or laws of the United States, or the constitution or laws of the state of Kansas, or that the court was without jurisdiction to impose such sentence, or that the sentence was in excess of the maximum authorized by law, or is otherwise subject to collateral attack, may, pursuant to the time limitations imposed by subsection (f), move the court which imposed the sentence to vacate, set aside or correct the sentence. (b) Hearing and judgment. Unless the motion and the files and records of the case conclusively show that the prisoner is entitled to no relief, the court shall cause notice thereof to be served upon …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Virgil Weigel (D) · primary sponsor
• Henry Helgerson (D)

Latest actions

1. April 10, 2026: Died in Committee
2. January 23, 2025: Referred to Senate Committee on Judiciary
3. January 22, 2025: Introduced

Common questions

What is SB60?

SB60 is a bill in the Kansas Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): Prohibiting second and successive motions and ineffective counsel claims in habeas corpus actions and providing for direct appeal to the supreme court in habeas corpus appeals filed by inmates sentenced to death.

What does SB60 do?

In its own words: An act concerning civil procedure; relating to habeas corpus; prohibiting second and successive motions in certain circumstances; prohibiting claims of ineffective counsel; providing appeals to the supreme court as a matter of right in claims filed by inmates sentenced to death; amending K.S.A. 2024 Supp. 60-1507 and 60-2102 and repealing the existing sections.

What is the status of SB60?

In committee as of April 10, 2026. Latest action: Died in Committee (April 10, 2026).

Who sponsored SB60?

Virgil Weigel (D), with 1 co-sponsor.

Where is the official record for SB60?

On the Kansas Legislature website: https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb60/