TOPEKA—The Kansas Supreme Court is accepting public comment on proposed new Rule 1405 which will create a standing Rural Justice Initiative Committee. When adopted, the rule will establish the framework for a standing committee, including members and terms. The standing committee will be responsible for implementing recommendations made in the Rural Justice Initiative Final Report, monitor the effectiveness of those efforts, and identify ways to improve access to legal services in rural Kansas. The standing committee would succeed a Rural Justice Initiative Committee created in 2022 to examine unmet legal needs in rural Kansas related to a shrinking number of attorneys living and working in rural areas. That committee produced the final report with 10 recommendations that range from attorney recruitment projects to best practices to meet legal needs across Kansas. The court will accept written comment by email to publiccomments@kscourts.gov until 5 p.m. Thursday, October 2. The subject line must read “Rule 1405.” | 
