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District attorney warns Sedgwick County HB 2175 could shield abusers, undermine investigations
Summary
County staff relayed District Attorney Mark Bennett's written testimony opposing House Bill 2175, which Bennett says appears aimed at protecting parents under child-in-need-of-care investigations and could limit law enforcement ability to protect abused children.
County staff told commissioners on Feb. 7 that Sedgwick County District Attorney Mark Bennett had submitted written testimony raising substantial concerns about House Bill 2175.
According to staff, Bennett wrote that the bill appears intended to protect parents of children subject to child-in-need-of-care investigations, and that its provisions instead would “protect abusers and undermine the ability of law enforcement to protect abused children.” Staff said Bennett planned to contact Representative Powerton, chair of the committee considering the bill, and had submitted testimony for committee consideration.
County staff said Jason Watkins advised that it may be too late to file new testimony for the current hearing but recommended contacting committee members directly if the county wished to seek further action. Staff noted that, if the bill passes committee, the county commission might need to engage the local legislative delegation.
The meeting record does not show any formal county position taken at the Feb. 7 agenda review; staff said the intent of the report was to put the commission on notice of the DA’s concerns and of the potential need for future engagement.
Ending: Commissioners asked staff to circulate the DA’s written testimony and advised they would consider further steps if the bill advances out of committee.
