Post by Logan on Feb 6, 2016 2:02:07 GMT -6
Kansas legislators want to make a sweeping 2014 open records law clearer.
The law opened affidavits for arrest and search warrants to the public for the first time since the 1970s, but after two years with the law some confusion arose over who had access to unsealed affidavits.
Legislation passed by a House committee Thursday would make affidavits, once opened to one party, available to anyone and requires victims be notified when an affidavit in their case is requested. Open records advocates say that is a step toward improving transparency.
“Once something is open, it should just be open,” said Ron Keefover, president of the Kansas Sunshine Coalition.
Read more: cjonline.com/news/2016-02-05/kansas-bill-would-make-affidavits-more-accessible
The law opened affidavits for arrest and search warrants to the public for the first time since the 1970s, but after two years with the law some confusion arose over who had access to unsealed affidavits.
Legislation passed by a House committee Thursday would make affidavits, once opened to one party, available to anyone and requires victims be notified when an affidavit in their case is requested. Open records advocates say that is a step toward improving transparency.
“Once something is open, it should just be open,” said Ron Keefover, president of the Kansas Sunshine Coalition.
Read more: cjonline.com/news/2016-02-05/kansas-bill-would-make-affidavits-more-accessible