Kansas SB478: Creating a maximum length of time for an agreement between a utility and law enforcement to install law enforcement equipment on a utility pole or structure and increasing the criminal penalties for assault or battery of a utility or communications employee

What the bill says

An act concerning crimes, punishment and criminal procedure; relating to crimes against persons; increasing the criminal penalties for assault or battery of a utility or communications employee; amending K.S.A. 21-5412 and K.S.A. 2025 Supp. 21-5413 and repealing the existing sections.

From the introduced text, February 4, 2026:

AN ACT concerning crimes, punishment and criminal procedure; relating to crimes against persons; increasing the criminal penalties for assault or battery of a utility or communications employee; amending K.S.A. 21-5412 and K.S.A. 2025 Supp. 21-5413 and repealing the existing sections. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Kansas: Section 1. K.S.A. 21-5412 is hereby amended to read as follows: 215412. (a) Assault is knowingly placing another person in reasonable apprehension of immediate bodily harm; (b) Aggravated assault is assault, as defined in subsection (a), (2) while disguised in any manner designed to conceal identity; or (3) with intent to commit any felony. (c) Assault of a law enforcement officer is assault, as defined in subsection (a), committed against: (1) A uniformed or properly identified state, county or city law enforcement officer while such officer is engaged in the performance of such officer's duty; (2) a uniformed or properly identified university or campus police officer while such officer is engaged in the performance of such officer's duty; or (3) a uniformed or properly identified federal law enforcement officer as defined in K.S.A. 21-5413, and amendments thereto, while such officer is engaged in the performance of such officer's duty. (d) Aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer is assault of a law enforcement officer, as defined in subsection (c), …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Ethan Corson, Ethan (I) · primary sponsor
• Joseph Claeys, Joseph (I)

Latest actions

1. April 10, 2026: Died on Calendar
2. March 17, 2026: Committee Report recommending bill be passed as amended by Senate Committee on Judiciary
3. February 24, 2026: Withdrawn from Senate Committee on Judiciary ; Rereferred to Senate Committee on Judiciary
4. February 19, 2026: Withdrawn from Senate Committee on Ways and Means ; Referred to Senate Committee on Ways and Means
5. February 5, 2026: Referred to Senate Committee on Judiciary
6. February 5, 2026: Referred to Committee on Judiciary
7. February 4, 2026: Introduced

Common questions

What is SB478?

SB478 is a bill in the Kansas Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): Creating a maximum length of time for an agreement between a utility and law enforcement to install law enforcement equipment on a utility pole or structure and increasing the criminal penalties for assault or battery of a utility or communications employee.

What does SB478 do?

In its own words: An act concerning crimes, punishment and criminal procedure; relating to crimes against persons; increasing the criminal penalties for assault or battery of a utility or communications employee; amending K.S.A. 21-5412 and K.S.A. 2025 Supp. 21-5413 and repealing the existing sections.

What is the status of SB478?

Passed one chamber as of April 10, 2026. Latest action: Died on Calendar (April 10, 2026).

Who sponsored SB478?

Ethan Corson, Ethan (I), with 1 co-sponsor.

Where is the official record for SB478?

On the Kansas Legislature website: https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb478/