AN ACT relating to crimes and punishments.

Create sec. of KRS Ch.532 to define "violent felony" & enhance sentence for person convicted of 3rd violent felony; prohibit probation, parole, or other form of release for person who commits a crime using a weapon that is stolen, defaced, loaded with restricted ammo, or otherwise violates state law; amend KRS610.070 to require a parent, legal guardian, or custodian to be present at court proceeding involving a child in the juvenile justice system; create sec. of KRS Ch.610 to establish penalty; amend KRS507.020 to expand offense of murder; amend KRS507.030 to expand offense of manslaughter in the 1st degree; amend KRS507.040 to expand offense of manslaughter in the 2nd degree; amend KRS218A.1412 to provide increased penalties for certain trafficking offenses; create sec. of KRS Ch.515 to create new offense of carjacking; amend KRS512.020 & 512.030 to lower the threshold for criminal mischief in the 1st degree to $500; amend KRS149.410, 506.160, & 525.220 to conform; amend KRS520.050 to enhance promoting contraband to a Class B felony if the dangerous contraband is fentanyl, carfentanil, or a fentanyl derivative; amend KRS16.220 to allow purchase of a confiscated firearm by a person who bids under the condition they not take possession of the firearm, but instead leave it with the Dept. of KY State Police for destruction; prohibit gov. agencies from purchasing the firearm; make technical corrections; create sec. of KRS Chs.511, 198A, & 65 to establish offense of criminal street camping & provide exceptions; amend KRS503.080 to conform; amend KRS202C.050 to reduce requirements to find a person subject to involuntary commitment pursuant to KRS Ch.202C; amend KRS186.417 to include felony offenders released from county jails & local correctional facilities among those who may be issued personal ID cards or operator's licenses under certain conditions; amend KRS431.510 to define terms; prohibit any charitable bail org. from posting bail in excess of $5,000; prohibit any charitable bail org. from posting bail for any offense of domestic violence & abuse or dating violence & abuse, & for any offense under a civil court order or warrant under KRS222.430 to 222.437; establish that any bond ordered forfeited following a new criminal offense shall be distributed to the victim of the new offense; require publication of records & annual reporting to the General Assembly; create sec. of KRS Ch.507 to create offense of murder of a 1st responder & establish penalties; amend KRS506.010 to conform; amend KRS532.025 to include the murder of 1st responders as an aggravating circumstance for the death penalty; amend KRS532.036 to allow restitution following a conviction for Murder of a 1st responder; amend KRS439.320 to provide that members of the Parole Board shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor, that panels of the board shall consist of not less than 3 & not more than 6 members, & that all members of the panel must agree on a decision or the matter shall be referred to the full board; amend KRS439.330 to require that parole be granted upon a 2/3 vote of the full board; amend KRS433.236 to limit liability for shopkeepers; amend KRS439.3401 to add a person who has been convicted of or entered a plea of guilty to a Class B felony violation of KRS520.050 to the definition of "violent offender" & to include carjacking & attempted murder in the list of violent offenses; amend KRS508.075 & 508.078, relating to terroristic threatening, to include any workplace or any gathering of 3 or more persons; amend KRS524.040 to include harassing communications as conduct constituting intimidation of a participant in the legal process; amend KRS439.340 to allow the Parole Board to order participation in a specific violence reduction program as a condition of parole; amend KRS533.030 to allow a court to require participation in a specific violence reduction program as a condition of probation or conditional discharge; amend KRS403.763 & 456.180 to enhance a second or subsequent violation of an order of protection within a 5-year period to a Class D felony; amend KRS500.080 to include family members, members of an unmarried couple, & persons in a dating relationship, in application of a particular definition of serious physical injury; amend KRS514.020 to reduce the time required to establish prima facie evidence of theft by deception of rented or leased property that is not returned to the owner from 10 days to 4 days; amend KRS196.031 to require the annual report to also include the % of offenders who commit new offenses within two years; amend KRS520.095 to enhance fleeing or evading police in the 1st degree to a Class C felony; provide that the defendant shall not be released on probation, shock probation, conditional discharge, or parole until he or she has served at least 50% of the sentence imposed; amend KRS520.100 to enhance fleeing or evading police in the 2nd degree to a Class D felony; amend KRS532.100 to provide sentences for 2 or more felony sec. crimes shall run consecutives; provide that the defendant shall not be released on probation, shock probation, conditional discharge, or parole until he or she has served at least 50% of the sentence imposed; amend KRS158.155 to require school employees to report certain enumerated crimes to law enforcement; repeal KRS512.040, which establishes the crime of criminal mischief in the 3rd degree & KRS158.154, which deals with discipline in schools; EFFECTIVE, in part, Aug. 1, 2025. HCS (1) Retain original provisions, except Sec. 29 & 30, KRS439.320 & 439.330 related to the Parole Board; change definition of "first responder" in Sec. 25; create new sec. of KRS Ch.520 to create offense of fleeing or evading police in the 3rd degree; amend KRS514.030 to lengthen time period for aggregating theft offenses & establish venue; add severability clause. HFA (27) Delete sec. 2 & replace with a new sec. of KRS Ch.532 to establish that defendants who meet certain criteria are not eligible for probation or parole; amend sec. relating to carjacking to require that the defendant act without lawful authority; amend sec. relating to unlawful camping to exempt temporarily sleeping in an automobile; exempt statutorily created housing programs from limitations on funding; amend sec. relating to involuntary commitment; amend KRS439.3401 to amend the definition of "violent offender" to include the attempted commission of any offense listed, a felony involving the death of the victim or serious physical injury to a victim, burglary in the 1st degree as described in KRS511.020 if a person other than a participant in the crime was present in the building during the commission of the offense, robbery in the 2nd degree as described in KRS515.030, arson in the 1st degree, & strangulation in the 1st degree; provide that a violent offender shall serve at least 85% of the sentence imposed before probation, shock probation, parole, conditional discharge, or other form of early release is permitted; provide that a violent offender shall only receive credit on their sentence for time spent in custody prior to the commencement of the sentence; amend KRS525.045 to conform; amend sec. relating to violation of an order of protection to require that subsequent violations, in order to be punishable as Class D felony, be intentional, in-person violations; amend sec. relating to notification required by school personnel to make uniform; delete sec. relating to murder; amend KRS218.133 to conform with provisions of the bill; limit application of new requirements for issuance of identifying documents, based on availability of funds; clarify civil liability in shopkeeper statute. SCS (1) Retain original provisions, except remove secs. relating to violation of a protective order; amend KRS429.320 and 429.330 relating to the parole board; create a new sec. of KRS CH.15A to require a local juvenile restorative justice advisory committee in each county or judicial district

  CURRENT STATUS

4/12/2024 - Delivered to Secretary of State

  NEWS STORIES

4/30/2024 - U.S. Supreme Court’s camping ban case could affect new Kentucky law

4/22/2024 - 'Ain't No Crime to be Homeless' rally takes place in Lexington

4/15/2024 - Here are Gov. Beshear’s key vetoes overridden by the 2024 KY General Assembly

4/13/2024 - GOP-dominated Kentucky legislature overrides most of Gov. Beshear’s vetoes, including budget line-items

4/12/2024 - Beshear vetoes 27 bills, most likely to be overridden

4/12/2024 - Lawmakers override Beshear vetoes, including Safer Kentucky Act, JCPS 'split' study, more

4/11/2024 - Kentucky lawmakers to return to Frankfort Friday to begin considering action on Beshear vetoes

4/10/2024 - Kentucky governor cites higher incarceration costs in veto of criminal justice bill

4/10/2024 - KY governor vetoes GOP ‘tough on crime’ bill, citing concerns on cost, homelessness

4/9/2024 - Beshear vetoes sweeping anti-crime bill along with parts of state budget

4/1/2024 - Kentucky legislature pauses for veto period: 5 takeaways from a busy legislative session

3/29/2024 - Where bills stand: Safer Kentucky Act, JCPS task force, Louisville nonpartisan elections

3/28/2024 - KY lawmakers pass crime bill targeting violent felons, fentanyl, homeless, shoplifters

3/28/2024 - Flurry of bills move on final legislative day before veto period

3/28/2024 - The Kentucky General Assembly passes the Safer Ky. Act

3/28/2024 - GOP-backed bill proposing harsher sentences to combat crime sent to Kentucky's governor

3/21/2024 - Safer Kentucky Act would add thousands of state inmates. Is there room for them?

3/19/2024 - Governor Beshear addresses legislative actions, laments ‘partisan politics,’ reviewing bills on his desk

3/15/2024 - Controversial KY crime bill passes Senate committee over chairman’s objections

3/15/2024 - GOP Senate leaders confront Louisville Democrat as 'Safer Kentucky Act' advances

3/15/2024 - Wide-ranging crime bill clears Kentucky Senate

3/15/2024 - Senate passes school funding amendment bill, Safer Kentucky Act

3/14/2024 - Senate Judiciary Committee forwards omnibus Kentucky crime bill without chairman’s vote

3/14/2024 - Here’s what’s in the GOP's tough-on-crime bill called the Safer Kentucky Act

3/14/2024 - House Bill 5, which criminalizes 'unlawful camping', moves to Senate floor

3/13/2024 - Senate Republicans offer opposing substitutes to Safer Kentucky Act

3/12/2024 - The Safer Kentucky Act source list is ‘cut and paste’ from a Georgia policy paper

3/5/2024 - Lobbying for 'Safer Kentucky': How much in-state, national groups paid to weigh in on HB 5

3/4/2024 - As GOP pushes Safer Kentucky Act, full jails prep for more crowds

2/28/2024 - Safer Kentucky Act could cost $1 billion over next decade, economic policy group says

2/22/2024 - Criminologists cited in support of Safer Kentucky Act wonder why

2/20/2024 - Is Kentucky's legislature waging another 'war on Louisville'? Depends on who you ask

2/8/2024 - Homeless advocates meet with lawmakers about Safer Kentucky Act

2/7/2024 - Kentucky House budget defunds program steering defendants to drug treatment

2/5/2024 - Homeless advocates concerned with Safer Kentucky Act, conduct survey on bill

1/29/2024 - Beshear and GOP face off over potential state job cuts; thousands of positions at risk

1/29/2024 - Safer KY Act: NKY law enforcement, prosecutor see promise in bill

1/28/2024 - Leaders of some Kentucky organizations say public safety bill targets the homeless

1/26/2024 - 'Safer Kentucky' or 'Suffer Kentucky'? House advances GOP crime bill after heated debate

1/26/2024 - Kentucky bill to expand local wiretapping powers unlikely this session

1/25/2024 - Sweeping GOP bill increasing criminal penalties, outlawing ‘street camping’ clears Kentucky House

1/25/2024 - KY House sends controversial anti-crime bill to Senate. What changed, what stayed in?

1/24/2024 - Kentucky death row inmates spend years waiting for executions that aren’t coming

1/23/2024 - 'Safer Kentucky Act': What's in the controversial anti-crime bill?

1/19/2024 - Sweeping anti-crime bill to protect KY from ‘criminal element’ advances to House

1/18/2024 - 'Safer Kentucky Act,' controversial public safety bill, takes key step forward

1/17/2024 - Safer Kentucky Act Seeks to Tackle Crime at Many Levels and Modernize Criminal Statutes

1/17/2024 - Coalition speaks out against Safer Kentucky Act

1/16/2024 - Critics say KY House bill ‘criminalizes poverty’ with penalties for homelessness

1/15/2024 - Johnson crime bill targets adults conspiring with minors

1/10/2024 - Louisville Republicans file Safer Kentucky Act

1/10/2024 - Louisville Republicans unveil 'Safer Kentucky Act,' a sweeping bill aimed at public safety

1/10/2024 - Some Safer Kentucky Act opponents say the bill criminalizes homelessness

1/10/2024 - Democrats displeased with Republican-backed public safety proposal

1/9/2024 - Three-strikes proposal part of sweeping anti-crime bill unveiled by House Republicans in Kentucky

COMMENTS

Louisville Urban League opposes HB 5, also known as the Safer Kentucky Act, because this omnibus crime bill creates new felony offenses that already exist, mandates longer sentences for convicted defendants, and criminalizes homelessness. We will collaborate with partners to bring awareness to this bill. We are asking our supporters to call their state representative and senator and tell them you would like them to vote against HB 5.

AN ACT relating to the abolition of the death penalty.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 532 to abolish the death penalty and replace it with life imprisonment without parole for inmates presently sentenced to death; amend KRS 532.030, relating to authorized dispositions for felony offenses, to remove the death penalty; amend KRS 533.010, relating to probation, to prohibit probation for a person sentenced to life without parole or life without parole for 25 years; amend KRS 640.010 to define terms; amend KRS 640.040, relating to penalties for juveniles convicted of felony offenses, to prohibit life imprisonment without benefit of parole for a capital offense; amend KRS 422.285, 532.050, and 532.100 to conform; repeal KRS 431.213, 431.2135, 431.218, 431.220, 431.223, 431.224, 431.240, 431.250, 431.260, 431.270, 507A.060, 532.025, 532.075, 532.130, 532.135, 532.140, 532.300, 532.305, and 532.309.

  CURRENT STATUS

1/2/2024 - Introduced

  NEWS STORIES

1/24/2024 - Kentucky death row inmates spend years waiting for executions that aren’t coming

COMMENTS

Louisville Urban League supports HB 38 because it abolishes the death penalty in favor of life imprisonment. We will promote our support of this bill to bring awareness to it. We are asking our supporters to call their state representative and senator and tell them you would like them to vote for HB 38.

AN ACT relating to fleeing or evading police.

Amend KRS 520.095 to enhance fleeing or evading police in the first degree to a Class C felony; provide that the defendant shall not be released on probation, shock probation, conditional discharge, or parole until he or she has served at least 50 percent of the sentence imposed; amend KRS 520.100 to enhance fleeing or evading police in the second degree to a Class D felony; provide that the defendant shall not be released on probation, shock probation, conditional discharge, or parole until he or she has served at least 50 percent of the sentence imposed.

  CURRENT STATUS

1/3/2024 - Introduced

COMMENTS

Louisville Urban League opposes HB 113 because it increases the penalty for an existing felony offense. We will monitor this bill closely and promote it to bring awareness. We are asking our supporters to call their state representative and senator and tell them you would like them to against for HB 113.

AN ACT relating to interrogation of children.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 610 to define terms; prohibit a child from being interrogated using deceptive methods; create a new rule of evidence to limit the admissibility of statements made in the interrogation of a child in violation of statute.

  CURRENT STATUS

1/4/2024 - Introduced

COMMENTS

Louisville Urban League supports HB 157 because it protects children defendants from illegitimate interrogations by law enforcement. We will collaborate with partners to bring awareness to this bill, contact people directly, find people to give testimony, contact legislators directly, and contact allies. We are asking our supporters to call their state representative and senator and tell them you would like them to vote for HB 157.

AN ACT relating to violent offenders.

Amend KRS 439.3401 to amend the definition of "violent offender" to include the attempted commission of any offense listed, a felony involving the death of the victim or serious physical injury to a victim, burglary in the first degree as described in KRS 511.020 if a person other than a participant in the crime was present in the building during the commission of the offense, burglary in the second degree as described in KRS 511.030 if a person other than participant in the crime was present in the dwelling during the commission of the offense, robbery in the second degree as described in KRS 515.030, arson in the first degree, arson in the second degree, and strangulation in the first degree; provide that a violent offender shall serve at least 85 percent of the sentence imposed before probation, shock probation, parole, conditional discharge, or other form of early release is permitted; provide that a violent offender shall only receive credit on their sentence for time spent in custody prior to the commencement of the sentence; amend KRS 525.045 to conform.

  CURRENT STATUS

1/8/2024 - Introduced

COMMENTS

Louisville Urban League opposes HB 182 because this crime bill will categorize some criminal defendants as violent offender where currently they are not. We will collaborate with partners to bring awareness to this bill. We are asking our supporters to call their state representative and senator and tell them you would like them to vote against HB 182.

AN ACT relating to controlled substances.

Create new sections of KRS Chapter 211 to establish a program for harm reduction centers; amend possession of controlled substance statutes to reduce penalties; amend KRS 218A.275 to provide for referrals to treatment for persons charged with possession of controlled substances; amend KRS 218A.500 to decriminalize possession of items to test, store, or consume controlled substances; amend KRS 218A.992, 533.274, 431.078, 218A 275, and 218A.010 to conform; repeal KRS 218A.14151, 218A.1450, 218A.1451, 218A.1452, 27.099, and 218A.276; EFFECTIVE, in part, August 1, 2025.

  CURRENT STATUS

1/9/2024 - Introduced

COMMENTS

Louisville Urban League supports HB 211 because it amends drug laws to include harm reduction centers, lower penalties on possession, decriminalize testing kits of all kinds, and add referral to treatment to the drug statute. We will collaborate with partners to bring awareness to this bill, contact people directly, find people to give testimony, contact legislators directly, and contact allies. We are asking our supporters to call their state representative and senator and tell them you would like them to vote for HB 211.

AN ACT relating to concealed deadly weapons.

Amend KRS 237.109 to lower the age requirement for carrying a concealed and deadly weapon from 21 to 18; amend KRS 237.110 to conform and make technical corrections.

  CURRENT STATUS

1/16/2024 - Introduced

COMMENTS

Louisville Urban League opposes HB 259 because lowers the age for an adult to carry a concealed weapon from 21 to 18, and adults can still be in secondary school. We will collaborate with partners to bring awareness to this bill, contact people directly, find people to provide testimony, and contact allies. We are asking our supporters to call their state representative and senator and tell them you would like them to vote against HB 259.

AN ACT relating to crimes and punishments.

Create new sections of KRS Chapter 508, 509, 510, 520, and 525 to provide that any person convicted of an offense under those chapters, who was armed with a firearm during the commission of the offense and in furtherance of the offense, shall be subject to an enhanced penalty; amend KRS 519.055 to provide for an enhanced penalty when the person was armed with a firearm at the time of the commission of the offense; amend KRS 520.050 to provide for an enhanced penalty when the dangerous contraband is a deadly weapon; amend KRS 527.110 to provide an enhanced penalty; amend KRS 439.3401 to expand the definition of "violent offender" to include a Class B or Class C felony where the offender was armed with a firearm during the commission of the offense and in furtherance of the offense, impersonating a peace officer where the offender was armed with a firearm, promoting contraband in the first degree where the dangerous contraband is a deadly weapon, and unlawfully providing a handgun to a juvenile; provide that offenders convicted of a Class B or Class C felony where the offender was armed with a firearm during the commission of the offense and in furtherance of the offense, impersonating a peace officer where the offender was armed with a firearm, promoting contraband in the first degree where the dangerous contraband is a deadly weapon, and unlawfully providing a handgun to a juvenile shall not be released on probation or parole until he or she has served at least 85% of the sentence imposed.

  CURRENT STATUS

1/17/2024 - Introduced

COMMENTS

Louisville Urban League opposes HB 282 because it increases penalties on current offenses. We will contact people directly, monitor the bill, and provide information to the public. We are asking our supporters to call their state representative and senator and tell them you would like them to vote against HB 282.

AN ACT relating to risk protection orders.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 237 to define terms; allow enumerated persons to petition a District Court to issue an order prohibiting a person from purchasing, possessing, or receiving a firearm if the person is or has been diagnosed with or treated for a mental condition that causes or is likely to cause impairment in judgment, perception, or impulse control to an extent that presents an unreasonable risk to public health, safety, or welfare if the person were in possession or control of a firearm; establish that a violation of an order is a Class A misdemeanor; amend KRS 237.104 to conform.

  CURRENT STATUS

1/17/2024 - Introduced

COMMENTS

Louisville Urban League supports HB 287 because it is a common sense gun law that will protect the public from people with mental illness from purchasing, possessing or receiving a firearm. We will collaborate with partners to bring awareness to this bill, contact people directly, find people to provide testimony, and contact allies. We are asking our supporters to call their state representative and senator and tell them you would like them to vote for HB 287.

AN ACT relating to concealed deadly weapons.

Repeal KRS 237.115, which interprets the application of the license to carry concealed deadly weapon statute as permitting postsecondary facilities, local governments, and units of state government to limit concealed carry in governmental buildings; amend KRS 150.172, 237.110, 527.020 to conform; amend KRS 237.110 to no longer prohibit the carrying of concealed deadly weapons in schools and specify that the prohibition of carrying concealed deadly weapons in airports is limited to areas controlled by TSA and make technical corrections; amend KRS 527.070 to add persons with valid licenses to carry concealed deadly weapons to the list of those permitted to possess weapons in schools.

  CURRENT STATUS

1/17/2024 - Introduced

COMMENTS

Louisville Urban League opposes HB 288 because allows persons to carry concealed weapons in schools K-12 and other places that they are currently prohibited. We will collaborate with partners to bring awareness to this bill, contact people directly, find people to give testimony, contact legislators directly, and contact allies. We are asking our supporters to call their state representative and senator and tell them you would like them to vote against HB 288.

AN ACT proposing an amendment to Section 25 of the Constitution of Kentucky relating to slavery and involuntary servitude as a punishment for crime.

Propose to amend Section 25 of the Constitution of Kentucky to prohibit slavery and involuntary servitude in all circumstances, including as punishment for a crime; provide ballot language; submit to voters for ratification or rejection.

  CURRENT STATUS

1/18/2024 - Introduced

COMMENTS

Louisville Urban League supports HB 295 because it amends the Kentucky Constitution to ban all forms of slavery and indentured servitude. We will collaborate with partners to bring awareness to this bill, contact people directly, find people to give testimony, contact legislators directly, and contact allies. We are asking our supporters to call their state representative and senator and tell them you would like them to vote for HB 295.

AN ACT relating to firearms.

Create new sections of KRS Chapter 237 to define terms; allow law enforcement officers to petition a court to issue an extreme risk protection order when a respondent poses a present danger of causing serious physical injury to themselves or others through purchasing, possessing, or receiving a firearm; establish procedures for the filing, review, hearing, termination, or renewal of the petition and orders; provide court processes and evidentiary standards; allow entry of the orders into law enforcement systems; prescribe issuance and service procedures for resulting protection orders; establish procedures for the surrender, storage, transfer, and return of firearms; establish penalties; create new sections of KRS Chapter 16 to direct the Kentucky State Police to establish the Kentucky Voluntary Do Not Sell Firearms List to prohibit the possession, sale, or transfer of firearms to individuals who voluntarily request to be added the list; prescribe procedures for application for entry and removal from the list; establish penalties; amend KRS 16.220 to direct proceeds of an auctioned firearm confiscated pursuant to a protective order to go to the firearm owner; amend KRS 237.110 to exclude persons subject to an extreme risk protection order from eligibility for a license to carry a concealed weapon; amend KRS 431.015 to allow warrantless arrest for violation of an extreme risk protection order; amend 431.076 to allow expungement of records of dismissed petitions.

  CURRENT STATUS

1/22/2024 - Introduced

COMMENTS

Louisville Urban League supports HB 331 because it is a common-sense gun law that will protect the public by establishing an extreme risk protection order to prevent individuals from purchasing, possessing, or receiving a firearm. We will collaborate with partners to bring awareness to this bill, contact people directly, find people to provide testimony, and contact allies. We are asking our supporters to call their state representative and senator and tell them you would like them to vote for HB 331.

AN ACT relating to gun safety for children.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 527 to prohibit unlawful storage of a firearm; establish elements of the crime as recklessly allowing access to an unsecured firearm by a minor; establish the crime as a Class B misdemeanor unless a physical injury or death results, in which case it is a Class A misdemeanor; provide that the Act may be cited as the Baby Dre Gun Safety Act.

  CURRENT STATUS

1/24/2024 - Introduced

COMMENTS

Louisville Urban League supports HB 373 because it is a common-sense gun law that will protect minors. We will collaborate with partners to bring awareness to this bill, contact people directly, find people to provide testimony, and contact allies. We are asking our supporters to call their state representative and senator and tell them you would like them to vote for HB 373.

AN ACT relating to sex-based classifications.

Create new sections of KRS Chapter 61 to define "boy," "equal," "female," "girl," "male," "man," "sex," and "woman"; prohibit any state or local law, regulation, ordinance, or policy from treating males or females unfairly from similiarly situated members of the opposite sex, but permit separation of the sexes if in the interest of maintaining safety, privacy, and fairness; provide a non-exhaustive list of examples of areas in which public entities may distinguish between the sexes; require any public school, public school district, state agency, department, local government, special district or any political subdivision of those entities that collects vital statistics to identify each person as either male or female; provide that the Act may be cited as the Kentucky Women's Bill of Rights.

  CURRENT STATUS

1/26/2024 - Introduced

AN ACT relating to civil rights.

Repeal and reenact KRS 344.010 to define various terms; amend KRS 344.020, relating to the purpose of the Kentucky's civil rights chapter, to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity; amend KRS 344.025, 344.040, 344.050, 344.060, 344.070, and 344.080, relating to prohibited discrimination in various labor and employment practices, to include discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity; amend KRS 344.100 and 344.110 to conform; amend KRS 344.120 and 342.140, relating to prohibited discrimination in places of public accommodation and advertisements therefor, to include discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity; amend KRS 344.170, 344.180, 344.190, 344.300, and 344.310, relating to the state and local human rights commissions, to include prohibition of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity in the scope of their powers and duties; amend KRS 344.360, 344.370, 344.380, and 344.680, relating to prohibited discrimination in certain housing, real estate, and other financial transactions, to include discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity; amend KRS 344.367, relating to prohibited discrimination in certain insurance sales, to include discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity; amend KRS 344.400, relating to prohibited discrimination in certain credit transactions, to include discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity; make various technical amendments; amend KRS 18A.095 to conform.

  CURRENT STATUS

1/26/2024 - Introduced

COMMENTS

Louisville Urban League supports HB 391 because it expands civil rights protections to the LGBT community. We will collaborate with partners to bring awareness to this bill, contact people directly, find people to provide testimony, and contact allies. We are asking our supporters to call their state representative and senator and tell them you would like them to vote for HB 391.

AN ACT relating to the rights of incarcerated children.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 600 to enumerate rights of incarcerated children; create short title of The Incarcerated Children's Bill of Rights.

  CURRENT STATUS

1/30/2024 - Introduced

COMMENTS

Louisville Urban League supports HB 404 because it expands and lists the rights of children who are incarcerated. We will collaborate with partners to bring awareness to this bill, contact people directly, find people to provide testimony, and contact allies. We are asking our supporters to call their state representative and senator and tell them you would like them to vote for HB 404.

AN ACT relating to overdose good samaritans and making an appropriation therefor.

Amend KRS 218A.133 to provide that a person who seeks or renders aid to someone experiencing a possible drug overdose or is the person experiencing a possible drug overdose cannot be arrested on a warrant or be subject to revocation of his or her conditions of release if the evidence for the arrest or motion to revoke is obtained as a result of the need for aid for the possible drug overdose; establish that the immunity extends from the time law enforcement or medical personnel respond at the location of a possible overdose until law enforcement or medical personnel leave the scene; exclude certain offenses from immunity; require the Office of Drug Control Policy to conduct an overdose good samaritan education and awareness campaign; appropriate funds in the amount of $500,000 from the opioid abatement trust fund to support the campaign; APPROPRIATION.

  CURRENT STATUS

1/31/2024 - Introduced

COMMENTS

Louisville Urban League supports HB 435 because it will encourage people who suffer from substance abuse disorder to seek help without fear of arrest and prosecution. We will collaborate with partners to bring awareness to this bill, contact people directly, find people to provide testimony, and contact allies. We are asking our supporters to call their state representative and senator and tell them you would like them to vote for HB 435.

AN ACT relating to firearms and declaring an emergency.

Create new sections of KRS Chapter 237 to define "assault weapon," "large capacity ammunition feeding device," and "seller of ammunition"; require background checks for private firearms sales; require reporting to law enforcement of firearm and ammunition thefts and losses; require the safe storage of firearms; require the State Police to promulgate administrative regulations relating to the licensing of persons to possess handguns and assault weapons, the registration of handguns and assault weapons, and the logging of firearms and ammunition sales effective January 1, 2025; create a new section of KRS Chapter 527 to create the offense of criminal purchase or disposal of a weapon; amend KRS 395.250 to require an estate's inventory to list each firearm; amend KRS 403.735 to require judges, when issuing an order of protection, to consider whether a person against whom the order is entered should be prohibited from possessing an firearm; amend KRS 504.030 to require judges in criminal cases where a person is found not guilty by reason of insanity to demand the surrender of the defendant's firearms; amend KRS 506.080 to add that the offense of facilitation includes assistance in providing firearms; amend KRS 508.020 to include physical injury to a minor by virtue of the intentional discharge of a firearm within the offense of assault in the second degree; amend KRS 527.040 to require that the sentence for a felon in possession of a firearm be served consecutively to any other felony sentence; amend KRS 527.070 to include postsecondary education facilities within the existing ban on firearms in schools; amend KRS 532.030 to require the judge pronouncing a defendant guilty but mentally ill to demand the surrender of the person's firearms; amend KRS 65.1591, 237.104, 237.115, and 532.025 to conform; repeal KRS 65.870, relating to the prohibition of local firearm control ordinances; EMERGENCY; EFFECTIVE, in part, January 1, 2025.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/1/2024 - Introduced

COMMENTS

Louisville Urban League supports HB 457 because it is a sensible list of gun regulations that will protect the public. We will collaborate with partners to bring awareness to this bill, contact people directly, find people to provide testimony, and contact allies. We are asking our supporters to call their state representative and senator and tell them you would like them to vote for HB 457.

AN ACT relating to firearm safety.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 210 to require the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to produce and distribute educational materials related to firearm safety, suicide prevention, and conflict resolution; require sellers of firearms, ammunition, components of firearms, components of ammunition, firearms accessories, or any combination thereof to display the educational materials; establish civil penalties for failure to display; require the cabinet to promulgate administrative regulations to enforce display requirements; require money from of civil penalties to be credited to the Kentucky mental health first aid training fund

  CURRENT STATUS

2/13/2024 - Introduced

  NEWS STORIES

2/23/2024 - Louisville Democrat files several bills to address gun violence

AN ACT relating to destruction of firearms.

Amend KRS 500.090 to allow consolidated local governments to destroy firearms abandoned, confiscated, or forfeited under the Kentucky Penal Code.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/13/2024 - Introduced

AN ACT relating to crimes and punishments.

Amend KRS 439.3401 to include in the definition of "violent offender" a person who has been convicted of burglary in the first degree as described in KRS 511.020(1)(a), assault in the second degree as described in KRS 508.020(1)(b) or (c), and wanton endangerment in the first degree as described in KRS 508.060 involving the discharge of a firearm; remove the requirement that the victim of a Class B felony involving criminal attempt to commit murder shall be a clearly identifiable peace officer, firefighter, or emergency medical services provider acting in the line of duty; provide that a violent offender who is convicted of a Class C felony violation of wanton endangerment in the first degree and assault in the second degree as described in KRS 508.020(1)(b) or (c) shall not be released on probation, shock probation, parole, conditional discharge, or other form of early release until he or she has served at least 65 percent of the sentence imposed; amend KRS 508.060 to enhance wanton endangerment in the first degree if the person discharges a firearm in the commission of the offense; amend KRS 635.020 to provide that if a child is 15 years of age or older and is charged with a felony involving the use of a firearm then he or she shall be transferred to Circuit Court to be tried as an adult; provide that a child who has been convicted of a felony involving the use of a firearm shall not be eligible for probation or conditional discharge in a proceeding consistent with KRS 640.030. Senate Committee Substitute (1) Retain original provisions, except amend KRS 635.020 to provide that a child who was 15 years of age or older at the time of a Class A, B, or C felony offense involving the use of a firearm shall be confined in a facility for juveniles or youthful offenders; provide that the Commonwealth's attorney may transfer the case back to District Court after consulting with the county attorney. Senate Floor Amendment (6) Retain original provisions, except modify section allowing automatic transfer of minors charged with certain offenses for trial as an adult; provide that the county attorney shall consult with the Commonwealth's attorney before making a motion to proceed against a minor as a youthful offender. House Committee Substitute (1) Retain original provisions, except remove KRS 439.3401 and 508.060; amend KRS 635.020 to provide that the firearm involved in the crime be used by the child subject to the motion to be proceeded against as a youthful offender; allow the Circuit Court to transfer the child back to District Court if the Circuit Court finds that less than two of the factors listed in KRS 640.010 favor keeping the child in Circuit Court; make techincal corrections.

  CURRENT STATUS

4/10/2024 - BECAME LAW WITHOUT GOVERNOR'S SIGNATURE

  NEWS STORIES

4/10/2024 - Beshear lets school ‘guardians’ bill become law without his signature

4/10/2024 - On last day of veto period, Ky. Governor veers from party lines on youth gun crimes bill

3/27/2024 - Kentucky House passes bill to have more teens tried in adult courts for gun offenses

3/25/2024 - What's happening with gun legislation in Kentucky?

2/15/2024 - Senate passes bills aimed at teacher sick days, criminal justice issues

2/14/2024 - Ky. teens would face adult court for gun crimes under bill that passes Senate committee

2/14/2024 - Kentucky Senate passes bill to have more teens tried as adults for gun-related felony charges

2/14/2024 - ‘Victims before perpetrators:’ Senate passes bill to try certain juveniles as adults

2/14/2024 - Kentucky Senate passes a bill to have more teens tried as adults for gun-related felony charges

2/8/2024 - KY bill would ‘draw a line in the sand’ by charging teens as adults for gun crimes

COMMENTS

Louisville Urban League opposes SB 20 because it increases penalties for current felony offenses. We will collaborate with partners to bring awareness to this bill, contact people directly, find people to give testimony, contact legislators directly, and contact allies. We are asking our supporters to call their state representative and senator and tell them you would like them to vote against SB 20.

AN ACT relating to motor vehicles.

Amend KRS 304.39-087 to modify the reporting of insurance information to the Department of Vehicle Regulation; require the Department of Vehicle Regulation to establish information submission format and additional information requirements; amend KRS 186A.040 to modify the Department of Vehicle Regulation's duties relating to insurance notifications in AVIS; establish conditions for when an individual's motor vehicle registration must be revoked or a license plate surrendered; establish registration reinstatement fee; create a new section of KRS Chapter 186A to establish administrative requirements for county clerks and the Department of Vehicle Regulation relating to proof of insurance, affidavits submitted in lieu of proof of insurance, and surrendering a motor vehicle license plate; require the Department of Insurance to prepare forms and a notice to registration renewal applicants; amend KRS 186A.042 to allow the submission of an affidavit in lieu of proof of insurance; require the county clerk to provide a notice when processing motor vehicle registration renewals; amend KRS 186A.990 to provide penalties for failure to surrender a motor vehicle license plate upon registration revocation for lack of required insurance; amend KRS 186.180 to conform; delete fee for revocations under KRS 186.290; amend various statutes requiring proof of insurance to allow submission of an affidavit; amend KRS 189.636 to require law enforcement to issue citations to motor vehicle operators for failure to comply with required insurance law; amend KRS 304.39-080 to establish exception to continuous motor vehicle insurance requirement; amend KRS 304.39-110 to permit insurers to offer 12 month policy periods; amend KRS 304.39-117 to modify requirements for evidence of compliance with required insurance law; amend KRS 304.99-060 to modify penalties; amend KRS 431.078 to create expungement rights for motor vehicle owners and operators that fail to have required motor vehicle insurance; make technical corrections; repeal KRS 304.39-085, relating to notification by insurers to the Department of Vehicle Regulation; require the Department of Vehicle Regulation and the Department of Insurance to promulgate administrative regulations to implement this Act within 30 days of effective date of section; RETROACTIVE, in part; EFFECTIVE, in part, January 1, 2025.

  CURRENT STATUS

1/3/2024 - (S) Referred to Committee Senate Banking & Insurance (S)

AN ACT relating to motor vehicle theft.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 514 to create the crime of theft of a motor vehicle; amend KRS 515.020 to provide increased penalty in certain circumstances; amend various sections of KRS Chapter 513 to conform.

  CURRENT STATUS

1/3/2024 - (S) Referred to Committee Senate Judiciary (S)

COMMENTS

Louisville Urban League opposes SB 43 because it creates a new felony that already exists in the criminal code. We will collaborate with partners to bring awareness to this bill. We are asking our supporters to call their state representative and senator and tell them you would like them to vote against SB 43.

AN ACT relating to persistent felony offenders.

Amend KRS 532.080 to provide that a jury may fix an enhanced term of imprisonment when they find a defendant to be a persistent felony offender; provide that persistent felony offender in the first degree and second degree only applies to offenders who are convicted of a felony within the same KRS Chapter as the one previously committed; RETROACTIVE.

  CURRENT STATUS

1/12/2024 - (S) Referred to Committee Senate Judiciary (S)

COMMENTS

Louisville Urban League opposes SB 85 because it will change the persistent felony offender statute to take away judicial and prosecutorial discretion. We will collaborate with partners to bring awareness to this bill, contact people directly, find people to give testimony, contact legislators directly, and contact allies. We are asking our supporters to call their state representative and senator and tell them you would like them to vote against SB 85.

AN ACT relating to parole for violent offenders.

Amend KRS 439.3401 to change requirements for parole or credit on sentences for violent offenders; create a new section of KRS Chapter 197 to establish a specialized treatment program for violent offenders.

  CURRENT STATUS

1/12/2024 - (S) Referred to Committee Senate Judiciary (S)

COMMENTS

Louisville Urban League opposes SB 86 because it amends the parole eligibility for convicted defendants in order to keep them incarcerated longer. We will collaborate with partners to bring awareness to this bill, contact people directly, find people to give testimony, contact legislators directly, and contact allies. We are asking our supporters to call their state representative and senator and tell them you would like them to vote against SB 86.

AN ACT relating to jury sentencing.

Repeal KRS 532.055, relating to verdicts and sentencing by juries in felony cases; amend KRS 421.500 to conform.

  CURRENT STATUS

1/12/2024 - (S) Referred to Committee Senate Judiciary (S)

COMMENTS

Louisville Urban League opposes SB 87 because it repeals an essential element of fair trials for the accused and eliminates discretion of judges and prosecutors. We will collaborate with partners to bring awareness to this bill, contact people directly, find people to give testimony, contact legislators directly, and contact allies. We are asking our supporters to call their state representative and senator and tell them you would like them to vote against SB 87.

AN ACT relating to home incarceration.

Amend KRS 532.260 to create new eligibility requirements for a person to serve the remainder of his or her sentence under home incarceration or conditional release; require the Department of Corrections to immediately transfer a person if he or she is being held on a detainer; allow a victim or concerned citizen to appeal the decision that a person may serve the remainder of his or her sentence under home incarceration or conditional release.

  CURRENT STATUS

1/12/2024 - (S) Referred to Committee Senate Judiciary (S)

COMMENTS

Louisville Urban League opposes SB 88 because it eliminates discretion of judges and prosecutors to place convicted defendants in the home incarceration program. We will collaborate with partners to bring awareness to this bill, contact people directly, find people to give testimony, contact legislators directly, and contact allies. We are asking our supporters to call their state representative and senator and tell them you would like them to vote against SB 88.

AN ACT proposing an amendment to Section 25 of the Constitution of Kentucky relating to slavery and involuntary servitude as a punishment for crime.

Propose to amend Section 25 of the Constitution of Kentucky to prohibit slavery and involuntary servitude in all circumstances; provide ballot language; submit to voters for ratification or rejection.

  CURRENT STATUS

1/22/2024 - (S) Referred to Committee Senate State & Local Government (S)

COMMENTS

Louisville Urban League supports SB 117 because it amends the state constitution to prohibit slavery and involuntary servitude. We will collaborate with partners to bring awareness to this bill, contact people directly, find people to give testimony, contact legislators directly, and contact allies. We are asking our supporters to call their state representative and senator and tell them you would like them to vote for SB 117.

AN ACT relating to civil rights.

Amend KRS 344.010 to include definitions for "sexual orientation" and "gender identity"; amend KRS 344.020, relating to the purpose of the Kentucky's civil rights chapter, to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity; amend KRS 344.025, 344.040, 344.050, 344.060, 344.070, and 344.080, relating to prohibited discrimination in various labor and employment practices, to include discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity; amend KRS 344.100 and 344.110 to conform; amend KRS 344.120 and 344.140, relating to prohibited discrimination in places of public accommodation, to include discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity; amend KRS 344.170, 344.180, 344.190, 344.300, and 344.310, relating to the state and local human rights commissions, to include prohibition of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity in the scope of their powers and duties; amend KRS 344.360, 344.370, 344.380, and 344.680, relating to prohibited discrimination in certain housing, real estate, and other financial transactions, to include discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity; amend KRS 344.367, relating to prohibited discrimination in certain insurance sales, to include discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity; amend KRS 344.400, relating to prohibited discrimination in certain credit transactions, to include discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity; make various technical amendments; amend KRS 18A.095 to conform.

  CURRENT STATUS

1/29/2024 - (S) Referred to Committee Senate Judiciary (S)

COMMENTS

Louisville Urban League supports SB 134 because it amends the civil rights statute to include sexual orientation and gender identity. We will collaborate with partners to bring awareness to this bill, contact people directly, find people to give testimony, contact legislators directly, and contact allies. We are asking our supporters to call their state representative and senator and tell them you would like them to vote for SB 134.

AN ACT relating to the abolition of the death penalty.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 532 to abolish the death penalty and replace it with life imprisonment without parole for inmates presently sentenced to death; amend KRS 532.030 to remove the death penalty; amend KRS 640.040 to prohibit life imprisonment without benefit of parole for a juvenile offender convicted of a capital offense; amend KRS 640.010 to define "serious intellectual disability" and "significant subaverage general intellectual functioning"; amend KRS 422.285, 532.050, 532.100, and 533.010 to conform; repeal KRS 431.213, 431.2135, 431.218, 431.220, 431.223, 431.224, 431.240, 431.250, 431.260, 431.270, 507A.060, 532.025, 532.075, 532.130, 532.135, 532.140, 532.300, 532.305, and 532.309.

  CURRENT STATUS

1/31/2024 - (S) Referred to Committee Senate Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection (S)

COMMENTS

Louisville Urban League opposes SB 144 because it may lead to prison overcrowding and eliminates parole, even though it contains a prohibition to the death penalty it. We will collaborate with partners to bring awareness to this bill, contact people directly, find people to give testimony, contact legislators directly, and contact allies. We are asking our supporters to call their state representative and senator and tell them you would like them to vote against SB 144.