HB2538

Providing an exception to criminal liability when a defendant has a mental disease or defect so as not to know the nature of the act or that such act was wrong.

Introduced·1/23/26
Introduced Text

Kansas HB2538 amends criminal liability laws to exempt defendants from criminal responsibility if they lacked the mental state required for the crime.

Kansas HB2538 modifies the state's criminal liability laws by allowing a defense of not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect. This defense applies when a defendant, due to a mental disease or defect, lacked the mental state required as an element of the crime charged. The bill outlines procedures for mental evaluations, conditional release, and reentry programs for defendants found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect. It also mandates victim notification and sets conditions for conditional release, including supervision and treatment requirements.

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Where it stands

Current
Judiciary Committee
Next
Committee decision

Sponsors

0
0
Democratic CaucusRepublican Caucus

History

Jan 23

House

House Introduced

Jan 23

House

House Referred to Committee on Judiciary