LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Public records advocates are pushing for state legislators to bring the Kansas Open Records Act regarding disclosure of police records more in line with open record laws in other states. The Lawrence Journal-World reports that changes in the law are supported by Harold and Alberta Leach, the Kansas Press Association, the Kansas Association of Broadcasters and the Kansas Sunshine Coalition for Open Government. The Leaches feel authorities were secretive about the investigation of their teenage son's 1988 disappearance. Randy Leach went missing from a graduation party along with the family's car. Authorities refuse to release the investigative records to the Leaches. State Representative John Rubin said he will hold hearings, possibly in January or February, to receive input from the public, prosecutors and law enforcement with the hope of drafting a bill to correct some problems with the law.
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