Sebelius acts to prevent child abductions
Uniform Child Abduction Prevention Act one of nine bills signed today

Courts will soon have new tools for identifying children at risk of abduction during custody disputes and divorce proceedings, as Governor Kathleen Sebelius today signed the Uniform Child Abduction Prevention Act.

“Children aren’t just abducted by strangers.  Sometimes, abductions take place during custody disputes.  We want to identify situations where a child is potentially at risk for abduction and provide ways to prevent that abduction from taking place,” Sebelius said.

SB 18 provides courts with guidelines for custody disputes and divorce proceedings.  The bill helps courts identify children at risk for abduction and provides measures to prevent the abduction of children where the evidence establishes the existence of a credible risk.

This bill was one of nine signed by Sebelius today, bringing the total number of bills signed during the 2007 Legislative Session to 83.  One bill has been vetoed. The signed bills will go in to effect upon publication in the statute book.

Requiring the collection of criminal justice information

HB 2087 requires all criminal justice agencies to provide any data or information, including juvenile offender information, requested by the Kansas Sentencing Commission to the State Statistical Analysis Center.

Requiring licensure of year-round firework retailers

HB 2475 requires any person who intends to sell, offer for sale or possess with intent to sell consumer fireworks, display fireworks and articles pyrotechnic or discharge, to first obtain the appropriate license from the State Fire Marshal. The license requirement does not apply to seasonal retailers. The bill also lists the terms of the license and the fines that can be assessed by the State Fire Marshal for violations. All fees will be credited to the State Fire Marshal Fee Fund, with rule and regulation authority resting with the State Fire Marshal.

Conforming to CMS regulations to access funding

SB 95 removes references in state law to individually-named psychiatric residential treatment facilities. This bill conforms to the regulations of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and allows the state to continue accessing CMS funding for residents of these facilities. The bill also updates statutory language related to pupils enrolled in USD 259, but who reside at the Judge James V. Riddel Boys Ranch.

Prohibiting bank branches on affiliate properties

SB 137 prohibits banks from establishing a branch bank at the premises or property where an affiliate of the bank engages in commercial activities.

Authorizing certain investments by insurance companies

SB 219 allows a domestic insurance company to invest, with certain limitations, in the common stock, preferred stock, debt obligations and other securities of its subsidiaries. The amount of the investment can not exceed less than 10 percent of the insurance company’s assets or 50 percent of the insurance company’s surplus. The Insurance Commissioner is permitted to approve an investment by an insurance company that exceeds the limits set forth in the bill. The bill also provides that when an insurance company ceases to control a subsidiary it must dispose of any such investment within three years of the cessation or within a time-frame determined by the commissioner.

Creating post-employment benefits funds

SB 232 allows a taxing subdivision to create a trust fund to hold or invest assets of post-employment benefits funds and allows a taxing subdivision to participate in a multi-employer trust fund.  Additionally, the bill expands the definition of “other post employment benefits” to include post employment health care, life insurance and other benefits.

Clarifying employment and taxation responsibilities for motor vehicle carriers

SB 235 clarifies that individuals who are owner-operators of a motor vehicle leased or contracted to a licensed motor carrier are not considered employees of the licensed motor carrier, unless the lease agreement or the contract specifies employment. The bill requires owner-operators to pay their own Social Security tax, federal unemployment tax and federal withholding tax when they are not considered employees of the licensed motor carrier.

Creating uniformity in document filings with the Secretary of State

SB 259 creates a uniform standard among different business entities with regard to signature requirements for documents filed with the Secretary of State. The bill also creates a uniform standard to allow an individual, an entity itself or a domestic or foreign corporation, limited partnership, limited liability company or business trust to serve as a resident agent for the business entity.  The bill authorizes reinstatement of the business entity if the articles of incorporation became void for nonpayment of the annual report fee or from failure to file the annual report.

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