TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Kansas police officers would be permitted to help officers across state lines during emergency situations under a bill approved by a House committee.
 
 Most law enforcement officers in Kansas now are allowed to only help other departments in the state, though officers in border counties are also able to provide assistance across state lines during drug investigations or terrorist activities.
 
The bill passed in the House Federal and State Affairs Committee on Tuesday would allow all Kansas law enforcement agencies to request help from police departments outside of the state. Officers working in other areas would receive workers' compensation and protection from their own departments.
 
A Kansas City area police association introduced a similar bill in the House committee last year but it was never passed.