Kansas Bill Would Expand "Furtherance of Terrorism" Definition
Kansas legislators are considering a bill to expand the definition of “furtherance of terrorism” and allow victims to seek civil penalties from those convicted of acts of terrorism, The Topeka Capital-Journal reports.
House Bill 2463 is partially modeled after an Arkansas law, and it was spurred on by a foiled bomb plot in December at the Wichita airport.
“In light of recent events in Wichita, Kansas, I believe we need to stand firm against terrorism in Kansas,” Sedgwick County Sheriff Jeff Easter said in a written testimony. “We are not immune from these predators, and this bill would give law enforcement the ability to investigate such acts.”
The bill would create several new actions under which law enforcement could arrest and seek to prosecute individuals for “furtherance of terrorism or illegal use of weapons of mass destruction.”
HB 2463 would also make it against the law to “provide material support” for those who commit acts of terrorism, “hinder the prosecution” of such crimes or “conceal or aid in the escape” of anyone who commits such a crime, the article reports.
Under the bill, victims of terrorism would be able to take perpetrators to civil court and pursue up to three times the actual damages sustained or $10,000, whichever is greater.
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