KS SB485

Landlords must consider all lawful income sources when evaluating tenant qualifications, including government assistance, gifts, pensions, alimony, and child support—but federal Section 8 housing vouchers are explicitly excluded from this requirement.

Eviction case files are automatically sealed upon filing, with access limited to the tenant, parties/attorneys in the case, the court, and the clerk; cases remain sealed if dismissed, settled, or decided in the tenant's favor.

Courts must unseal cases where landlords win judgments, unless both parties agree to keep them sealed or the court finds good cause (such as domestic violence victims or shared fault between parties).

Eviction judgments are automatically expunged two years after the judgment date if the judgment and any monetary award are fully satisfied; unsatisfied money judgments cannot be expunged without both parties' agreement.

Courts must order mediation in residential eviction cases unless finding mediation would not materially help the parties, and defendants may appear via two-way audio-video communication instead of in person.