Topeka ? Legislation to repeal the Kansas death penalty law was awaiting possible action by a Senate committee Friday.

One measure before the Judiciary Committee would repeal the 1994 law and replace it with a new crime of aggravated murder, punishable by life in prison without parole.

Legislators heard testimony last week from death penalty supporters, including families of victims of some of the 10 men currently under death sentences in Kansas.

The legislation wouldn’t vacate the men’s sentences, but would not allow any more defendants to be charged with capital murder after July 1.

Opponents of capital punishment testified the Kansas law is flawed and expensive to administer.