TOPEKA ? Kansas death penalty opponents say a bill that would shorten the appeals process amount to a “leaky Band-Aid” on a broken system.

The state Senate approved a bill last month setting a limit of three years and six months for the Kansas Supreme Court to hear and decide an appeal of a death penalty conviction. There is currently no time limit.

Some legislators and the Kansas Coalition Against the Death Penalty argued Wednesday that the changes would increase the chances an innocent person will be executed.

Supporters say death penalty appeals take too long for the state to complete under the current structure.

A House committee hears testimony on the proposal today.

Kansas reinstated the death penalty in 1994 but has not carried out any executions.