Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Attorney General Derek Schmidt is releasing the language he wants legislators to consider when addressing the Kansas Hard 50 law during a special session next month. The Republican said Monday that he has completed a draft of the bill to consider during the special session, which starts September 3. The Hard 50 law allows convicted murderers to be sentenced to at least 50 years in prison with no chance of parole. A recent U.S. Supreme Court decision questioned the constitutionality of such sentences. Schmidt's proposal would allow jurors to hear evidence to determine if a person is should be sentenced to a minimum 50 years in prison. Currently, such sentences are made only by judges.