TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) _ Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt says legislators took important steps this year to protect children from sex offenders.
The Republican attorney general says the GOP-controlled Legislature approved a package of initiatives he outlined in January.
One bill awaiting Republican Gov. Sam Brownback's signature would give prosecutors more time to file criminal charges over violent sex crimes against children.
Prosecutors now have five years after a crime is committed to bring charges. The bill says that if a victim was under 18 when a crime such as rape occurs, prosecutors have until the victim's 23rd birthday to file charges.
Schmidt also noted that lawmakers are giving the Kansas Bureau of Investigation permission in the next state budget to set up a special unit to investigate crimes against children.
M-F 5-8AM, Noon, 4PM, 5PM, 6PM & 10PM
