News release
State Rep. Barb Wasinger, R-Hays, has announced that “Karen’s Law” (HB 2027) was signed into law by the Gov. Laura Kelly. The legislation creates a procedure to prevent the distribution of a person’s assets to someone charged with killing that person. Prior to passage of this law, a person charged with killing someone could collect from their estate until found guilty of the crime. “Karen’s Law” is another much-needed provision in the law to protect victims of abuse, Wasinger said in a news release.
The need for this legislation was brought to Wasinger's attention by Jeremiah and Kaycie Schumacher after the death of Jeremiah’s mother, Karen Schumacher. Jeremiah’s father is currently in jail charged with the alleged murder of his wife when it was discovered that he had access to Karen’s assets. They went to court to prevent this from happening and then went to Wasinger for her help to fix this “void” in probate law.
“This became a bipartisan project that is near and dear to me to help the Schumachers," Wasinger said. "I want to thank Jeremiah, Kayci, their Aunt Sue and my colleague and co-sponsor Representative Barbara Ballard (D-Lawrence) for all their help and support to get 'Karen’s Law' enacted into Kansas law.”
“I was honored to be asked to help my constituents with such an important issue” Wasinger said.