TOPEKA, Kan. — On Tuesday, Adrian's Law was reintroduced in the Kansas Legislature.
The bill, aimed at protecting children from child abuse, was initially introduced in 2017. It was named after Adrian Jones, 7, who died after years of abuse by his dad and stepmom.
Judy Conway, Adrian's grandmother, has been pushing for the law ever since.
"I believe it's taken way too long, "Conway said. "Don't keep pushing it off and pushing it off and, ya know, next year we'll get to it again, next year we'll get to it again."
The bill would make adults 18 and older responsible for reporting abuse. While Adrian's abuse was reported on several occasions, the I-Team discovered there were other adults who lived with Adrian at the time of his abuse who did not contact authorities.
Adrian's Law also would require a social worker to visibly see a child when visiting a home, as opposed to knocking and leaving if no one answers the door.
Rep. Louis Ruiz said he thinks the bill will get bipartisan support.
"I'm very confident this is the year," Ruiz said.
