Home, Business Evictions Banned in Kansas until May 1

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Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly has ordered financial institutions to temporarily suspend business and residential evictions to help those financially affected by the spread of the coronavirus.

The executive order signed by Kelly says it will allow Kansans to “retain their homes and businesses to avoid immediate danger to their health, safety and welfare.”

Financial institutions were ordered to suspend initiating mortgage foreclosure or judicial proceedings and commercial or residential evictions until May 1.

“We understand that this pandemic is creating unprecedented challenges for people across the state,” Kelly said in a statement. “Kansas families need our support and my administration is committed to doing everything it can to make sure that Kansans can stay in their homes and businesses.”

Kelly did not announce the order Tuesday but said in her statement that her office consults with the Kansas Attorney General before issuing any executive orders. Her office said that Kelly issued the order under her power when declaring an emergency to take actions necessary to promote and secure the safety of the civilian population.

House Financial Institutions Committee Chairman Jim Kelly, an Independence Republican and a veteran banker, said the measure is a “look good” order because banks were likely to avoid starting foreclosures.

“I would say in a period like this, they would be really reluctant to do it anyway,” he said. “You never generally get your money back, and you would really like to work it out. So I think at this time, with all of the shutdowns, employer shutdowns, I would be really surprised if Kansas banks were going to wholesale start foreclosures.”

The order came a day after Kelly ordered all of the state’s K-12 schools to close and to move lessons online for the rest of the spring semester. On Monday, she banned all gatherings of 50 or more people.

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas doubled on Tuesday to at least 18, with one death. For most people, the virus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough, and the vast majority recover. But for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.