The Kansas Attorney General’s Office has evolved through the years and now includes the following divisions and departments:

Criminal Litigation, (785) 296-2215.

Advises and assists county and district attorneys and law enforcement in investigation and prosecution of criminal cases. In many instances, attorneys in the division handle the direct prosecution of cases at the request of prosecutors throughout the state. It also investigates and prosecutes cases of child abuse and neglect in state institutions and youth centers.

Crime Victims’ Rights Program, (800) 828-9745.

The program provides statewide coordination of local crime victim and witness assistance programs and directs assistance to crime victims and their families. It also educates and trains the public, professionals and victim advocates on crime victims’ rights. Various state and federal grants to local crime victim assistance programs are administered through the program. Program officials also oversee the statewide D.A.R.E. office and the State Child Death Review Board.

Drug Abuse Resistance & Education, (785) 368-8458.

The statewide D.A.R.E. office, created by the Legislature in 1999, is responsible for coordinating training required before Kansas D.A.R.E. officers can begin teaching.

State Child Death Review Board, (785) 296-2215

The board examines trends and patterns that identify risk factors in the deaths of children, from birth through age 17.

Crime Victims’ Compensation Board, (785) 296-2359

The board provides victims financial assistance for loss of earnings and out-of-pocket loss for injuries sustained as a direct result of violent crime. This includes reasonable medical care, mental health counseling or other services necessary as a result of the injury. In the event of the death of the victim, reasonable medical expenses and the partial cost of funeral, burial or cremation is reimbursable.

Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Division, (785) 368-6220.

The division investigates and prosecutes fraud committed by providers in the Medicaid program. The division also reviews complaints and pursues prosecution for the physical abuse or neglect of Medicaid recipients, or misappropriation of their private funds by programs receiving Medicaid funding.

Civil Litigation Division, (785) 296-2215.

The division files lawsuits on behalf of the state of Kansas, defends the state and state employees in court and prosecutes administrative actions before various state boards and commissions. The division also represents the state in water litigation.

Consumer Protection Division, (800) 432-2310.

The division directly assists hundreds of Kansans daily who have consumer-related complaints or questions. The division’s primary responsibilities under the Consumer Protection Act are to provide education, investigate the thousands of complaints and inquiries received annually and file enforcement actions against violators. The Consumer Protection Division also enforces the Kansas Charitable Organization and Solicitations Act, the Funeral and Cemetery Merchandise Agreements Act and the Kansas Cemetery Corporation Act.

Legal Opinions & Government Counsel Division, (785) 296-2215.

The division researches and prepares legal opinions in response to requests from elected officials or government agencies seeking interpretation and advice on state and federal law.

The opinions resolve many legal disputes thereby avoiding litigation. Division staff also attempt to help private citizens by responding informally or by referral to an appropriate agency or individual government counsel. The division handles Open Meetings, Open Records and Americans with Disabilities Act complaints received by the office.

Administrative Services Division, (785) 296-2215.

The division is responsible for personnel supervision, budget preparation, expenditure review, communications, scheduling, legislative initiatives and day-to-day operation of the Office of Attorney General.

Kansas Bureau of Investigation, (785) 296-8200

The KBI, a separate agency, is under the jurisdiction of the attorney general. KBI conducts investigations at the request of local law enforcement agencies and at the direction of the attorney general to identify and apprehend criminals. The KBI also is the repository for criminal records and maintains forensic laboratories to analyze crime scene evidence.