Kansas Senate Panel Considers Tougher Burglary Laws

(AP) – Kansas would increase penalties for home burglaries under a bill being considered in the state Senate.

The Senate Corrections and Juvenile Justice Committee held a hearing Tuesday on the measure. The bill would increases penalties for any home burglary and sentences for the intent to steal a firearm. Leavenworth County Attorney Todd Thompson testified that burglary victims are frustrated that perpetrators often get off with probation.

The bill would make the potential prison sentence for any home burglary six months longer for a first-time offender, for a maximum of 19 months.

Thompson said it’s not clear how much the measure would increase prison populations but a proposed amendment hopes to alleviate that issue. The amendment would lessen penalties for repeat shoplifters, downgrading such offenses to a misdemeanor.