Kansas lawmakers left Topeka for their spring break after working over the weekend. When they return, they could pursue legislation to provide compensation for people wrongly convicted of crimes.
Currently there is no system for compensating people in Kansas who are sent to jail on bogus charges. They have to seek damages through lawsuits.
House members say those people should get $80,000 for each year they spent in prison. Senators want to pay less, but offer other services, such as health coverage and college tuition.
Republican Representative Blaine Finch said House members are interested in the Senate’s ideas.
“They like the idea of being able to offer more than just dollars in order to help people who come out of that wrongful conviction and wrongful incarceration situation move forward with productive lives,” Finch said.
Finch said he expects they will reach a compromise on the bill once they return to Topeka later this month.
Stephen Koranda reports for the Kansas News Service.