KS residents can now seek to be removed from drug registry early. Here’s who qualifies
Individuals on the Kansas Public Offender Registry for past drug offenses now have an opportunity to have their names removed early, and a nonprofit law firm has offered assistance to those curious about the process.
The Jan. 24 deadline is approaching for individuals to request help from Kansas Legal Services to get their name removed from the state drug offender registry. The nonprofit is hosting a clinic where individuals can go through the step-by-step process of filling out all the necessary documents.
The clinic’s date and time will not be released to the public, but those who get approved to participate will be notified. Kansas Legal Services and the Wichita Bar Association partnered for the effort.
According to Kansas Legal Services, as of 2021, there were 5,777 registered drug offenders in the state. But legislation passed last year makes is possible for individuals to not have to wait the full 15 years to be removed from the registry.
Senate Bill 366, which passed in May 2022, created a mechanism for past offenders to seek relief, allowing certain offenders to file a petition if the individual meets set requirements.
Who qualifies to apply for removal from Kansas’ drug offender registry?
Anyone on the drug offender registry can file a petition seeking to have themselves removed.
The state registry can be found on the Kansas Bureau of Investigation’s website. The public offender registry also includes sex offenders.
No attorney is needed to file a petition to have your name removed.
In order to qualify to be removed from the registry, an individual has to meet the following qualifications:
Registered by a court order for five years
Not been convicted of a felony within five years
No pending proceedings involving a felony
The individual has been rehabilitated
The individual’s register is no longer needed for public safety
Anyone who registered due to an out-of-state conviction or adjudication does not qualify for early removal, according to the legislation summary.
Executive Director of Kansas Legal Services Matt Keenan said he expects the “vast majority” of those on the registry to qualify for the relief program.
“There’s a point in time where somebody has really earned the right to no longer be burdened with their mistakes in the past,” Keenan said.
The forms to request relief can be found on the Kansas Judicial Council’s website.
To apply for the clinic, visit kansaslegalservices.com or call 1-800-723-6953.
What do petitioners need?
The petition for removal cost $196, but low-income individuals could pay less by requesting a court waive the filing fee.
Kansas Legal Services attorney Morgan Lawrence said the simple form will collect information about their income and how much they receive other than income, as well as other reasons why they may not be able to afford the fee.
“It really gives them an opportunity to explain to the core their financial situation aside from just numbers,” Lawrence said.
Keenan said said there is a document on Kansas Legal Service’s website that allows for this filing.
