On November 2, the Leawood City Council acted swiftly and without debate, adopting legal staff’s recommendation to leave the Kansas Halo law out of the city’s Uniform Public Offense Code. The unanimous vote—by Councilmembers Matt Peppes, Sherrie Gayed, Rachel Rubin, Steve Kaster, Julie Cain, Lisa Harrison, Mary Larson and Alan Sunkel—means the city will not codify the state‑imposed 25‑foot buffer zone that requires first responders to be protected from civilian proximity while they are working.
What the Halo law entails
The Halo law, named for the imagined 25‑foot ring surrounding police, firefighters and other responders, was enacted by the Kansas Legislature last session. It requires a buffer when a responder is on duty and when a bystander has been told to stay back. Approaching closer could be deemed unlawful if it might distract the responder or pose a danger to property.
Senate President and gubernatorial candidate Ty Masterson cited the unrest in Minnesota—where federal immigration officers were filmed shooting protesters—as a justification, arguing the law would keep “radical protesters” from interfering and protect bystanders.
Leawood’s rationale
Assistant City Attorney Kelci Weber explained that Leawood already has a local ordinance that mirrors the state statute’s definition of “interference” with responders. Because the existing ordinance covers the same conduct, staff recommended removing the Halo section from the uniform code to avoid redundancy.
Leawood officials did not receive a letter from the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas, which has voiced concerns that the law threatens public observation and accountability of law enforcement. The ACLU’s director, Logan DeMond, wrote to Prairie Village officials last month, arguing the statute adds no public‑safety benefit and could hinder transparency.
How Leawood’s decision fits the county trend
Leawood becomes the second Johnson County municipality to reject the Halo law, following Prairie Village’s decision on Oct. 19. Other cities in the county—Fairway, Merriam, Olathe, Overland Park, Shawnee, Spring Hill and Westwood—have incorporated the law into their municipal codes. Overland Park, for example, argued that local inclusion would allow the offense to be handled at the city level rather than in district court.
While the state law remains on the Kansas books and can still be prosecuted in district courts, Leawood’s choice reflects a growing local preference for handling such matters through existing ordinances rather than adding a separate municipal offense.
Mayor’s role
Mayor Marc Elkins did not cast a vote, as the mayor only votes to break ties. The council’s unanimous approval indicates broad agreement among councilmembers that the existing city ordinance sufficiently protects first responders without the need for the additional Halo provision.
Leawood’s decision underscores the city’s commitment to efficient governance and to preserving public‑safety measures that are already in place, while avoiding unnecessary duplication of state statutes.
Original reporting: Johnson County Post (Overland Park) — read the source article.
