By Allison Kite
Associated Press
TOPEKA, Kan. — The Kansas House on Tuesday advanced a bill to allow the state commission that certifies law enforcement officers to close records about officers who have been fired or disciplined.
The bill would exempt the list of registered police officers, records on officers who are fired and complaints against officers from the Kansas Open Records Act. They would be personnel and investigatory records.
House members gave first-round approval to the bill on a voice vote. The chamber expects to take a final vote Wednesday to determine whether the bill goes to the Senate.
Wichita Republican Rep. John Whitmer, who sought the bill, said the local departments that produce the records could still release them, but critics contend they won’t. Whitmer is chairman of the Kansas Commission on Peace Officers’ Standards and Training.
Supporters said the bill would protect officers’ privacy.
Critics worried about limiting access to information about police misconduct.
Wichita Democratic Rep. John Carmichael said the current bill is better than potentially sealing off the records entirely. He said departments can refuse to produce the information, but people requesting the exempt records have a right to petition the court to open them.