TOPEKA — The Senate Judiciary Committee this week will have a hearing to discuss the future of capital punishment in Kansas.

The bill, SB 126, would abolish the death penalty for any crimes committed after July 1, 2013. The4 bill also would repeal the capital murder statute and create the new crime of aggravated murder. Offenders convicted of aggravated murder would not be eligible for parole.

The hearing will be at the Capitol, Room 346-S, in Topeka at 10:30 a.m. Thursday. The hearing is open to the public.