Judiciary committee weighs sealing arrest-warrant and subpoena information to protect victims and officer safety

The House Committee on Judiciary heard detailed proponent testimony March 5 on Senate Bill 204, which would seal case and warrant information in criminal and juvenile offender cases — including subpoenas — until a warrant is executed or the request for a warrant is denied.

Jason Thompson, Revisor's Office, said the bill would add a new subsection to KSA 60-2617 providing that when a criminal or juvenile offender case is filed and an arrest warrant is sought, the case shall be sealed until execution of the warrant or denial of the request. The bill also includes a provision that disclosure to law enforcement for the purpose of executing a warrant or serving a subpoena would be allowed and that some warrants (those issued under KSA 22-2807 related to appearance bonds) are excluded from the sealing requirement.

Proponents framed the bill as a public-safety and victim-protection measure. Sheriff Jeff Easter told the committee…