Kansas SB307: Requiring veterans with a condition from military service to be offered diversion for certain offenses and expanding the mitigating factor for departure at sentencing for veterans

What the bill says

An act concerning crimes, punishment and criminal procedure; requiring veterans with a condition from military service to be offered diversion for certain offenses; expanding the mitigating factor for departure at sentencing for veterans; amending K.S.A. 21-6815 and repealing the existing section.

From the introduced text, January 12, 2026:

AN ACT concerning crimes, punishment and criminal procedure; requiring veterans with a condition from military service to be offered diversion for certain offenses; expanding the mitigating factor for departure at sentencing for veterans; amending K.S.A. 21-6815 and repealing the existing section. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Kansas: New Section 1. (a) There is hereby established the veteran diversion program. A county or district attorney shall propose a diversion agreement to a defendant (2) has one or more indicators of mental or physical symptoms of a condition from military service that could have contributed to the offense, including the psychological effects from the veteran's time in service or the period of family separation related to deployment and any previously or provisionally diagnosed substance use, mental health disorder or neurocognitive disorder; and (3) is alleged to have committed a misdemeanor or a felony offense that is a severity level 7, 8, or 10 felony. (b) Law enforcement and the county or district attorney shall verify the veteran status of all individuals who are being charged with committing an offense described in subsection (a)(3) to identify individuals who may be eligible for participation in the program. (c) (1) A veteran who is offered a diversion agreement pursuant to subsection (a) shall be required to participate in evidence-based treatment …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Stephen Owens, Stephen (I) · primary sponsor

Latest actions

1. April 10, 2026: Died in Committee
2. January 13, 2026: Referred to Senate Committee on Judiciary
3. January 12, 2026: Introduced
4. January 12, 2026: Prefiled for Introduction on Friday, January 9, 2026

Common questions

What is SB307?

SB307 is a bill in the Kansas Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): Requiring veterans with a condition from military service to be offered diversion for certain offenses and expanding the mitigating factor for departure at sentencing for veterans.

What does SB307 do?

In its own words: An act concerning crimes, punishment and criminal procedure; requiring veterans with a condition from military service to be offered diversion for certain offenses; expanding the mitigating factor for departure at sentencing for veterans; amending K.S.A. 21-6815 and repealing the existing section.

What is the status of SB307?

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

Who sponsored SB307?

Stephen Owens, Stephen (I).

Where is the official record for SB307?

On the Kansas Legislature website: https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb307/