Legislation

This legislative act introduces significant reforms to Kentucky's juvenile justice system, focusing on accountability, procedural changes, and enhanced information sharing among agencies. The bill creates a new requirement for parents, guardians, or custodians of juveniles committed to the Department of Juvenile Justice for nonstatus offenses to reimburse the state for the costs of the child's commitment, but only if the court finds that their lack of reasonable supervision was a substantial factor in the child's delinquency and after due process is provided. The act amends several statutes to streamline and clarify the roles of various agencies in the juvenile justice system, notably removing references to 'family accountability, intervention, and response teams' (FAIR teams) and repealing the statute establishing these teams, thereby shifting responsibilities to court-designated workers and other existing structures. The legislation expands the scope of information sharing among law enforcement, courts, schools, and juvenile justice agencies, particularly regarding juvenile records and notifications to school officials about students involved in the justice system. It strengthens confidentiality provisions but also clarifies circumstances under which records may be accessed by victims, law enforcement, and school personnel. The act also enhances victim rights by ensuring that victim advocates can attend evidentiary hearings in cases involving minors who are victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, unless the victim declines or the court finds exclusion is in the victim's best interest. Procedural reforms include changes to intake, diversion, and adjudication processes for juveniles, emphasizing evidence-based assessments, increased involvement of county attorneys in decision-making, and more structured diversion agreements. The act sets stricter timelines and reporting requirements for court-designated workers and clarifies the process for handling status and public offense complaints. It also modifies the rules for informal adjustments, probation, and commitment, including longer potential detention periods for certain offenses and mandatory behavioral health assessments for detained or committed youth. The act allows for open court hearings in cases involving violent juvenile offenders under specific circumstances, with safeguards to protect the confidentiality of minors. The bill amends the definitions and penalties for unlawful transactions with minors, particularly expanding the scope to include offenses involving firearms and clarifying the application of penalties to minors tried as youthful offenders. It also revises the notification process for schools regarding students involved in the justice system, ensuring that both superintendents and directors of pupil personnel are informed, and that school resource officers are included in notifications related to protective orders. Overall, the act aims to increase accountability for parents and guardians, enhance victim protections, improve interagency communication, and provide more structured and transparent processes within the juvenile justice system, while eliminating the FAIR teams and redistributing their functions to streamline operations and clarify responsibilities. This bill overhauls Kentucky's juvenile justice system by increasing parental accountability, enhancing victim protections, expanding interagency information sharing, restructuring diversion and adjudication processes, and eliminating family accountability teams to streamline juvenile justice operations.

he bill mandates that Kentucky school districts allow students to be excused for voluntary, parent-approved moral instruction off campus, establishes provider requirements and reporting, and creates legal remedies for enforcement and protection against retaliation. This legislative text amends KRS 158.200 and creates a new section in KRS Chapter 158 to require local school boards in Kentucky to allow students to be excused for at least one hour per week to attend voluntary moral instruction, provided parental consent is given. The bill specifies that moral instruction must occur off school property unless local policy allows equal community access, and participation must be free from coercion and at no cost to the school district beyond minimal administrative expenses. Providers of moral instruction must submit a detailed plan to the local board, including safety, liability, and insurance provisions, and all individuals involved must pass background checks. Students attending moral instruction are credited as if present in school, and non-participating students remain in school without penalty. The bill prohibits discrimination based on participation and requires quarterly reporting by local boards to the Kentucky Department of Education, which must compile and submit annual reports to the legislature. Additionally, the Attorney General or qualified individuals may bring civil actions to enforce compliance, with waivers of certain immunities and provisions for attorney's fees if violations are proven. The bill also protects individuals from retaliation for participating in enforcement actions. These changes align with the organization's mission if it supports parental choice, student rights, and community involvement in education, while ensuring student safety and non-discrimination.

The bill amends Kentucky's fetal homicide law by narrowing exemptions for acts causing the death of an unborn child, removing explicit protections for abortions with consent and for pregnant women, and limiting exemptions to certain medical procedures performed by health care providers. This legislative text amends Kentucky Revised Statute (KRS) 507A.010, which pertains to fetal homicide. The bill redefines 'unborn child' as a member of the species homo sapiens in utero from conception onward, regardless of age, health, or dependency. It modifies the exceptions to prosecution for the death of an unborn child by removing explicit references to abortions performed with the pregnant woman's consent or in medical emergencies. Instead, the exemption now applies only to acts performed by or at the direction of a health care provider as part of or incident to diagnostic testing, therapeutic medical, or fertility treatment, provided these acts meet the standard of care expected of a prudent health care provider. Additionally, the bill deletes the provision that previously exempted pregnant women from prosecution for acts that caused the death of their own unborn child. No specific funding allocations or deadlines are mentioned in the text. The key changes narrow the circumstances under which acts resulting in the death of an unborn child are exempt from prosecution, potentially increasing criminal liability for certain actions related to fetal death, and may impact the legal landscape for both health care providers and pregnant women in Kentucky.

This act overhauls Kentucky's election laws by strengthening voter eligibility verification, modernizing election administration and equipment standards, enhancing campaign finance transparency and enforcement, and clarifying candidate and officeholder requirements to promote fair and secure elections. This legislative act introduces a comprehensive set of reforms to Kentucky's election laws, focusing on voter eligibility, election administration, campaign finance, and candidate regulations. Key provisions include new requirements for the Administrative Office of the Courts to report all felony convictions, including those pending appeal, to the State Board of Elections within ten days of final conviction, and to provide an all-time list of ineligible felons by July 24, 2026, with the State Board required to remove these individuals from voter rolls by August 4, 2026. The bill also mandates the removal of noncitizens from voter rolls, authorizing the State Board of Elections to enter into agreements with federal agencies to identify noncitizens, notify them, and require documentation to verify citizenship before allowing them to vote. If citizenship is not verified before the day after the second general federal election following identification, the individual will be purged from the voter rolls. The legislation further strengthens procedures for removing deceased, incompetent, or relocated voters from registration records and clarifies the process for contesting such removals. Significant changes are made to the administration of city offices, including detailed procedures for filling vacancies in mayoral and legislative body positions, especially in cases of election errors or fraud, and the calling of special elections when a majority of a legislative body is vacated. The act also amends the definition of a bona fide candidate and provides for the recovery of attorney's fees and costs in successful challenges to candidate qualifications or election contests. Judicial candidates are now permitted to disclose their political party affiliation publicly but are prohibited from claiming official party nomination or using party symbols in a misleading way, maintaining the nonpartisan nature of judicial elections. The bill imposes new standards on voting equipment, prohibiting the use of nonhuman-readable codes (such as barcodes or QR codes) for tabulating votes and requiring all new voting systems to meet updated security and accessibility standards. However, counties may continue using existing approved equipment until replacements are acquired. The act enhances election audit procedures, requiring random hand-to-eye audits of ballot scanners and races, with public transparency measures such as video recording and public reporting of discrepancies. Campaign finance reforms include clarifying the definitions and permissible activities of various political committees, updating contribution limits, and allowing certain small contributions by party committees to civic organizations. The act expands the scope of required disclaimers for political advertising to include digital media and digital platforms, mandates clear identification of sponsors, and sets record-keeping requirements for media outlets. It also updates the composition and appointment procedures for the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance, including timelines for filling vacancies and reimbursement policies for members. Enforcement provisions are strengthened, with new notice and grace period requirements before campaign finance penalties accrue, and expanded authority for the Registry to investigate and refer violations for prosecution. Overall, the legislation aims to enhance the integrity, transparency, and security of Kentucky's elections by tightening voter eligibility verification, modernizing election administration, increasing accountability in campaign finance, and clarifying candidate and officeholder requirements. These changes align with the organization's mission to promote fair, secure, and transparent elections, protect voter rights, and ensure public confidence in the electoral process.

The bill allows the Kentucky Department of Corrections to set execution protocols without public administrative regulations while updating requirements for prisoner management, jail certification, and inmate healthcare procedures. This legislative text amends Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS) 13A.100 and 197.020, introducing several changes to the regulatory authority and procedures of the Department of Corrections. The amendments clarify that administrative bodies must prescribe policies, procedures, and fees through administrative regulations, except where processes are already set by statute or specifically exempted. Notably, the bill adds a new provision (Section 2, subsection 5) stating that the Department of Corrections is not required to promulgate administrative regulations regarding the death penalty; instead, it may establish execution protocols and procedures through internal policies or memoranda, bypassing the standard administrative regulations process outlined in KRS Chapter 13A. Other changes to KRS 197.020 require the Department to promulgate regulations for the management and discipline of penitentiaries, prisoner welfare, and the certification of county jails housing female inmates, including requirements for physical barriers and telehealth services. The Department is also authorized to impose reasonable fees for prisoner medical care, provided that inability to pay does not result in denial of treatment, and to implement reimbursement programs for telehealth consultations. These changes align with the organization's mission if it is focused on correctional administration, prisoner welfare, and regulatory transparency, but the exemption from public regulatory processes for execution protocols may raise concerns regarding oversight and accountability.

This act updates the Kentucky Civil Rights Act to align with federal disability law, transfers most civil rights adjudications from the Human Rights Commission to the courts (ensuring jury trials), and clarifies procedures and definitions for discrimination claims, while retaining the Commission's investigative and conciliatory roles. This legislative act amends the Kentucky Civil Rights Act (KCRA) to align its provisions more closely with the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA), addressing both substantive and procedural issues identified in recent Kentucky Supreme Court cases. The bill revises and expands definitions related to disability, discrimination, and other key terms, ensuring that the interpretation of 'disability' and 'qualified individual with a disability' is consistent with federal law, particularly the ADAAA. It clarifies that impairments which are episodic or in remission are considered disabilities if they would substantially limit a major life activity when active, and that the determination of disability should generally be made without regard to mitigating measures, except for ordinary eyeglasses or contact lenses. A significant procedural change is the transfer of adjudicative authority for most civil rights complaints from the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights to the state court system, specifically the Court of Justice, thereby ensuring the right to a jury trial in civil rights cases. The Commission retains its investigative and conciliatory functions but will no longer conduct hearings or issue binding orders in non-housing discrimination cases. Individuals alleging discrimination (other than in housing) may now file civil actions directly in circuit court without first exhausting administrative remedies with the Commission, and the statute of limitations is clarified so that filing with the Commission does not toll the time for bringing a court action. The bill also provides that if the Commission files a court action on behalf of an aggrieved party, that party cannot file a separate action, but may intervene in the Commission's case, and vice versa. The act updates the procedures for handling housing discrimination complaints, allowing parties to elect a civil action in court (with the right to a jury trial) instead of an administrative hearing, and clarifies the remedies available, including actual and punitive damages, injunctive relief, and attorney's fees under certain circumstances. It also amends the powers and duties of local human rights commissions, limiting them to investigative and advisory roles rather than adjudicative authority. Several sections of the KRS are repealed, including those related to administrative hearings, orders, and judicial review by the Commission, reflecting the shift of adjudicative functions to the courts. The bill does not include specific funding provisions or appropriations, but it does allow the Commission and local commissions to accept grants, gifts, and bequests to finance their activities. The act also maintains the Commission's authority to promulgate administrative regulations, conduct studies, and provide technical assistance, and it requires annual reporting to the Governor and the Legislative Research Commission. The changes are intended to safeguard civil rights, ensure access to jury trials, and streamline the process for addressing discrimination claims in Kentucky, while maintaining strong investigative and conciliatory roles for the Commission on Human Rights. Overall, this legislation modernizes Kentucky's civil rights framework, strengthens alignment with federal disability law, and shifts the resolution of most discrimination claims to the judicial system, thereby enhancing procedural protections for aggrieved individuals.

This act imposes strict criminal and civil penalties on the use, distribution, and prescription of abortion-inducing and life-terminating drugs in Kentucky, classifies such drugs as controlled substances, and mandates healthcare providers to inform patients of their legal rights, while exempting pregnant women from prosecution for personal use. This legislative act from the Kentucky General Assembly introduces significant restrictions and penalties regarding the use, distribution, and prescription of pharmaceuticals intended to intentionally terminate human life, including abortion-inducing drugs and drugs used for assisted suicide or euthanasia. The act amends several sections of Kentucky law to classify abortion-inducing drugs as Schedule IV controlled substances and criminalizes their trafficking, possession, importation, and prescription, with specific felony charges and enhanced penalties. Notably, the act creates new criminal offenses for importing abortion-inducing drugs and for engaging in or assisting with medically assisted aid in dying, both classified as Class B felonies, and strengthens penalties for assisted suicide. The legislation also stipulates that healthcare professionals convicted under these provisions will have their licenses revoked. Civil liability is established for any person or entity that mails, distributes, or prescribes abortion-inducing drugs to Kentucky residents, allowing affected individuals or their representatives to seek compensatory and punitive damages, court costs, and attorney's fees. The act further mandates that healthcare providers inform patients experiencing complications from abortion-inducing drugs of their legal rights to pursue civil action and requires the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services to make this information publicly available. The law explicitly exempts pregnant women in possession of abortion-inducing drugs for personal use from criminal penalties. Additionally, the act clarifies that appropriate pain management, palliative care, and the withholding of extraordinary medical treatment are not prohibited, provided they are not intended to cause or hasten death. There are no specific funding allocations or deadlines mentioned in the text. The legislation aligns with the state's stated interest in protecting human life at all stages and aims to prevent the circumvention of Kentucky's laws by out-of-state or international actors, particularly through digital means. The act is highly relevant to organizations focused on reproductive rights, end-of-life care, healthcare regulation, and civil liberties, as it imposes broad restrictions and liabilities on the use and distribution of life-terminating pharmaceuticals and expands the scope of criminal and civil penalties related to abortion and assisted dying.

This act enacts immediate, wide-ranging reforms to Kentucky's election laws, enhancing voter roll integrity, election transparency, campaign finance regulation, and election equipment standards to strengthen the security and reliability of the state's electoral process. This legislative act introduces a comprehensive set of reforms to Kentucky's election laws, focusing on voter registration integrity, election administration, campaign finance, and transparency. Key provisions require the Administrative Office of the Courts to provide monthly lists of individuals excused from jury duty for non-citizenship and those convicted of felonies (including those with pending appeals) to the State Board of Elections, which must promptly remove ineligible voters from registration rolls. The State Board of Elections is also mandated to cross-check voter rolls monthly with the federal SAVE program to identify and remove non-citizens, with due process for affected individuals to protest removals. The act clarifies and streamlines procedures for filling vacancies in city government, including special elections in cases of widespread election errors or fraud, and sets clear timelines for these processes. The legislation enhances transparency by allowing, but not requiring, county clerks to make anonymized ballot images and cast vote records available to the public electronically after elections, provided voter privacy is protected. It also authorizes the use of ballot verifier software for public audits and establishes standards for such disclosures. Voting equipment standards are updated to prohibit the use of non-human-readable codes (such as barcodes or QR codes) for tabulating votes, require paper ballots, and reinforce security and accessibility requirements. The act strengthens election audit procedures, requiring random hand-to-eye audits of ballot scanners and races, with protocols for public observation, discrepancy investigation, and reporting to authorities. Campaign finance regulations are modernized, including clarifications on the definitions and functions of various political committees, contribution limits, and reporting requirements. The act explicitly allows political party committees to endorse, support, or oppose candidates in nonpartisan races without affecting the nonpartisan status of those offices. It also permits judicial candidates to disclose their party affiliation publicly, while prohibiting them from claiming official party nomination or using misleading partisan materials, thus maintaining the nonpartisan nature of judicial elections. The act provides for the recovery of attorney's fees and costs in successful challenges to candidate bona fides or election contests, and sets forth procedures and timelines for such legal actions. Significant changes to existing statutes include the expansion of grounds and procedures for voter roll maintenance (KRS 30A.145, KRS 116.113), new requirements for election equipment (KRS 117.125), and updated campaign finance definitions and limits (KRS 121.015, KRS 121.150). The act also amends procedures for election contests (KRS 120.165) and candidate challenges (KRS 118.176), introducing provisions for special elections and cost recovery. The legislation is declared an emergency measure, taking effect immediately upon passage to ensure prompt implementation of these reforms aimed at enhancing the integrity, transparency, and reliability of Kentucky's electoral process. In alignment with the organization's mission to promote fair, secure, and transparent elections, this act addresses key issue areas such as voter eligibility verification, election security, public access to election records, and campaign finance transparency. The reforms are designed to modernize election administration, prevent ineligible voting, increase public confidence through transparency and auditability, and clarify the roles of political parties and candidates in both partisan and nonpartisan contexts.

The bill creates escalating criminal penalties for knowingly approaching or remaining within twenty-five feet of a first responder after a verbal warning with the intent to impede, threaten, or harass them while they are performing their duties. This legislative text establishes a new section within Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS) Chapter 519, creating the offense of 'impeding a first responder.' The bill defines 'first responder' to include not only traditional emergency personnel but also probation or parole officers, university police officers, and airport police officers. It further defines 'harass' as intentional conduct directed at a first responder that causes or is intended to cause substantial emotional distress without legitimate purpose. Under the proposed law, a person commits the offense if, after receiving a verbal warning from a first responder engaged in their lawful duties, they knowingly approach or remain within twenty-five feet of the first responder with the intent to impede, interfere, threaten with physical harm, or harass. The penalties escalate with repeated offenses: a first offense is a Class B misdemeanor, a second or third offense is a Class A misdemeanor, and any subsequent offense is classified as a Class D felony. The bill does not specify any funding allocations or deadlines. The legislation primarily aims to enhance protections for first responders by establishing clear boundaries and consequences for interference or harassment, aligning with public safety and law enforcement support objectives.