Month: March 2020

Governor signs bipartisan bills to help residents during COVID-19 pandemic

Laws extend unemployment eligibility, education disaster allowances, judicial disaster allowances

Gov. Laura Kelly signed three bipartisan bills into law today in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I want to thank the Legislature for working together to fast track this critical legislation,” Gov. Kelly said in a news release. “As COVID-19 continues to spread, our response is constantly evolving. We must have a plan for Kansans who are facing so much uncertainty. The bills will help our state navigate these difficult circumstances. We will get through this together.”

Unemployment eligibility, Senate Bill 27:
 House Substitute for Senate Bill 27 extends unemployment eligibility for workers who started to file unemployment insurance claims on or after January 1, 2020. These workers would be eligible for a maximum of 26 weeks of benefits, instead of the current effective maximum of 16 weeks.

“The fallout of the aviation industry has been felt all across Kansas, long before the COVID-19 epidemic,” Gov. Kelly said. “Now, more than ever, hardworking Kansans need the support necessary to provide for their families.”

Education disaster allowances, Senate Bill 142:
 House Substitute for Senate Bill 142 expands education waiver authority during disaster emergencies. Under current law, students are required by statute to attend at least 1,116 school hours per school year. This bill allows local school boards to receive waivers for this requirement under a state of disaster declaration, with the understanding that they will utilize continuous learning for their students during this time. Additionally, the bill codifies legislative intent that school districts continue to pay all hourly employees during a disaster shutdown.

“In a time of crisis and uncertainty, our schools need flexibility and support to maximize learning opportunities for students while making sure children, their families and school district employees are safe,” Gov. Kelly said.

Judicial disaster allowances, Senate Bill 102:
 House Substitute for Senate Bill 102 expands authority of the judicial branch in time of disaster, permitting the chief justice of the Supreme Court to issue an order extending statutory deadlines or time limitations on court proceedings and authorizes video conferencing.

“This will allow our court system to continue to function during the crisis while ensuring our court employees and the public are safe and healthy,” Gov. Kelly said.

These bills become effective upon publication in the Kansas Register. A special edition has been expedited for publication and printing today by the Legislature and the Secretary of State.

Wyandotte County District Court, other district and state courts close because of COVID-19

Courts closed except for emergency operations

The Kansas Supreme Court today issued an administrative order directing all district and appellate courts to cease all but emergency operations until further order.

The only exception is jury trials that are currently under way, according to a news release from the court. They may proceed to conclusion, but no other criminal or civil jury trials will be scheduled until further order.

The Supreme Court anticipates the order to remain in effect for at least two weeks, at which time it will be reevaluated.

“This is an extraordinary measure to match the gravity of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Chief Justice Marla Luckert said in a news release. “We have a duty to protect the people who come into our courthouses and courtrooms, as well as our employees and judges. This action allows courts to fulfill core functions while reducing in-person contact.”

Emergency operations are outlined in the Administrative Order, and generally include:
• determining probable cause for persons arrested without a warrant;
• first appearances;
• bond hearings;
• warrants for adults and juveniles;
• juvenile detention hearings;
• care and treatment emergency orders;
• protection from abuse and protection from stalking temporary orders;
• child in need of care hearings and orders;
• considering petitions to waive notice for abortions by minors;
• commitment of sexually violent predators; and
• isolation and quarantine hearings and orders.

Referenced in the Administrative Order is 2020 House Substitute for Senate Bill 102. On its publication, the court’s Administrative Order will have the effect of suspending until further order all statutes of limitations and statutory time standards or deadlines that apply to conducting or processing judicial proceedings.

During the effective dates of the order, no action will be dismissed for lack of prosecution.

People who have business with a court are urged to try completing that business online, by phone, or by mail. If that’s not possible, the person can call the court for direction. A limited number of staff will be available to answer questions.

Chief judges of district courts are charged with identifying essential personnel—both judges and employees—needed to fulfill emergency operations.

Some employees may be working from home.

The Administrative Order also applies to appellate courts.

The Wyandotte County, Kansas District Court (29th Judicial District) has taken the steps necessary to comply with Kansas Supreme Court Administrative Order 2020-PR-016, according to district court officials.

The Wyandotte County District Court is closed to the public effective immediately, according to district court officials. No scheduled court hearings or appearances will take place except those deemed to be emergency operations as set forth in the order. All other hearings and appearances will be rescheduled by the assigned divison upon the resumption of normal operations. This policy will remain in effect until the administrative order is rescinded or modified by the Kansas Supreme Court.