KEA BILL TRACKER
2026 Legislative Session
Prepared by: KEA Lobby Team
Report created on February 9, 2026
 
HB4GROOMING OF MINORS (PROCTOR M) AN ACT relating to grooming a minor.

­Create a new section of KRS Chapter 510 to establish the offense of grooming a minor; amend KRS 510.010 to define "course of conduct," "grooming behavior," and "sexual conduct"; amend various sections to conform; make technical corrections. HFA (2) Retain original provisions, except amend the elements of the offense of grooming a minor; establish that age appropriate conversations with siblings about human sexuality and conversations with minors that are a part of a volunteer's duties are not considered a violation of this offense.
 Current Status:   2/5/2026 - received in Senate
 Position:   BD TRACK
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB4.html
 
HB7SCHOOL BUS SAFTEY (HALE D) AN ACT relating to school bus safety.

Create new sections of KRS Chapter 158 to define terms; allow the use of camera monitoring systems on school buses operated by a school district and allow the enforcement of a civil penalty for stop arm camera violations recorded by a camera monitoring system; establish the amount of the civil penalty; require that the revenue generated from a civil penalty be retained by the school district; allow a law enforcement agency to charge a fee of $25 from every civil penalty enforced by the law enforcement agency; require specific notice for a stop arm camera violation; establish defenses to a violation; establish procedures for a contest to a violation; allow for suspension of motor vehicle registration for failure to timely pay a penalty; require a school district or law enforcement agency to notify the Transportation Cabinet of the need to release a motor vehicle registration suspension within 1 business day of payment; amend KRS 189.370 to require traffic in the opposite direction of a school or church bus to stop for the bus on a highway that is not divided by an elevated barrier or unpaved median; amend KRS 189.990 to increase the maximum fines for failing to stop for a school or church bus that is receiving or discharging passengers.
 Current Status:   2/9/2026 - (H) THIRD READING, passed 78-15
 Position:   BD TRACK
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB7.html
 
HB11INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICTS (BAUMAN J) AN ACT relating to independent school districts.

Create new sections of KRS Chapter 160 to establish a process for the creation of new independent school districts from a persistently underperforming school district; define terms; establish the process for a local legislative body where a persistently underperforming school district is located to place the question of creating new independent districts and local boards of education on the ballot; specify the requirements for the questions and the board of education provisional election; establish the initial terms of office for the interim board of education; establish the transition of authorities from the originating district board of education to the boards of both the altered originating district and the new independent district; require the Kentucky Department of Education to calculate assets and liabilities of the originating district for division to the new independent districts; authorize the originating district to maintain control and use of assets until the scheduled transfer to the new independent districts and authorize the continued payments of debts; establish a negotiation process between the originating district and the new independent districts to resolve the division of the originating district's assets and liabilities; establish a deadline for the negotiation to conclude; provide a process for resolution of disagreements; establish a deadline for the transfer of all assets and debts; authorize the originating district to continue to assess and collect taxes for all districts until the close of the tax year in which the new independent districts are fully operational; provide for the distribution of collected taxes during the transition period; require the county judge/executive to call the newly elected interim boards of new independent districts to meet; allow the interim board to request assistance from the Kentucky Department of Education; establish the transition process for new independent districts to become fully functional; allow the interim board to submit a waiver request for a statute or administrative regulation to the Kentucky Board of Education; authorize the interim board to enter into service contracts with another school district during the transition; establish a process for the interim board to vote to terminate the establishment of the new independent district due to financial nonviability during the transition; establish the transition from an interim board to a fully functional board of the new independent district; require the continued collection of taxes restricted to the payment of debt or interest; waive the requirement for school-based decision making for the first year of operations of the new independent district; require the interim board of the new independent district to develop a transition plan and establish the requirements of the plan; create a new section of KRS Chapter 157, relating to state formula funding calculations, to establish a projection model for the first year of full operations of the new independent district and the altered originating district.
 Current Status:   1/13/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Primary and Secondary Education (H)
 Position:   DA OPPOSE
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB11.html
 
HB13INDIVIDUAL TAX RATE (BURKE L) AN ACT relating to the individual income tax rate.

Amend KRS 141.020 to establish a graduated tax rate for net income of $300,000 or less; establish a flat tax rate of 6% for net incomes in excess of $300,000; and remove provisions relating to tax rate reduction procedures.
 Current Status:   1/13/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Appropriations & Revenue (H)
 Position:   DA SUPPORT
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB13.html
 
HB17PAYMENTS TO SCHOOL EMPLOYEES (BURKE L) AN ACT relating to one-time payments to school district employees, making an appropriation therefor, and declaring an emergency.

Direct local school districts to provide a one-time payment of $2,000 to certified employees, excluding superintendents, in each year of the 2026-2028 biennium, and a one-time payment of $1,000 to classified employees in each year of the 2026-2028 biennium; appropriate $153 million from the Budget Reserve Trust Fund account in each year of the 2026-2028 biennium to the Learning and Results Services budget unit to provide the payments; authorize the Department of Education to pro rata reduce payments if the appropriation is insufficient; APPROPRIATION; EMERGENCY.
 Current Status:   1/13/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Appropriations & Revenue (H)
 Position:   BD SUPPORT
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB17.html
 
HB19SCHOOL DISTRICT EMPLOYEES (BURKE L) AN ACT relating to school district employees and declaring an emergency.

Amend KRS 157.420 to preclude the Kentucky Board of Education from approving the working budget or salary schedule of a local board of education unless it incorporates a salary increase for certified and classified staff consistent with the percent increase in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U); EMERGENCY; EFFECTIVE July 1, 2026.
 Current Status:   1/13/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Appropriations & Revenue (H)
 Position:   BD SUPPORT
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB19.html
 
HB29LEAVE FROM EMPLOYMENT (BURKE L) AN ACT relating to leave from employment.

Amend KRS 337.415 to define "crime," "immediate family," and "victim"; prohibit employers from discharging or retaliating against an employee who is a crime victim when the employee takes leave to attend proceedings associated with the prosecution of the crime; require an employee to give an employer reasonable notice to take leave when practicable; provide guidelines for use of paid leave; require the employer to maintain confidentiality of records and communication with employee crime victim; create a private right of action for improper discharge, discrimination, retaliation, or failure to maintain confidentiality; amend KRS 337.990 to establish penalties for violations by an employer.
 Current Status:   1/13/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Economic Development & Workforce Investment (H)
 Position:   BD SUPPORT
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB29.html
 
HB35SCHOLARSHIP ELIGIBILITY (BANTA K) AN ACT relating to scholarship eligibility for proprietary schools.

Amend KRS 164.786 to include a proprietary school in the definition of "participating institution" for the purpose of the Dual Credit Scholarship Program; amend KRS 164.787 to include a proprietary school in the definition of "eligible institution" for the purpose of the Work Ready Kentucky Scholarship Program.
 Current Status:   1/13/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Primary and Secondary Education (H)
 Position:   BD TRACK
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB35.html
 
HB40FREE FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCTS (LEHMAN M) AN ACT relating to providing free feminine hygiene products to elementary and secondary students.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 158 to define "feminine hygiene product"; require each public school and public charter school that includes any of grades 4 through 12 to provide free feminine hygiene products to female students; require each local board of education and public charter school board of directors to adopt policies relating to the distribution of free feminine hygiene products.
 Current Status:   1/14/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Primary and Secondary Education (H)
 Position:   BD SUPPORT
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB40.html
 
HB44ROBOTICS (LEWIS C) AN ACT relating to robotics.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 158 to define terms; establish the robotics competition fund; establish the Robotics Funding Selection Committee to award grants from the fund to eligible robotics teams competition sponsors; establish committee membership, duties, and set terms; require the Kentucky Department of Education to promulgate administrative regulations to establish procedures for grant applications and distribution of awards by April 1, 2027; set requirements for grant applications; require annual report by August 1 to Legislative Research Commission; provide for initial staggering of appointments; require the committee to hold its first meeting by October 15, 2026; provide that the Act may be cited as the Advanced Manufacturing Through Robotics Education Act.
 Current Status:   2/5/2026 - (H) SECOND READING, to Rules
 Position:   BD SUPPORT
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB44.html
 
HB52SCHOOL CURRICULUM (BAKER S) AN ACT relating to school curriculum.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 158 to define "Success Sequence"; require all students to receive instruction on the Success Sequence during grades 7 and 10 beginning with the 2027-2028 school year; require the Kentucky Board of Education to promulgate administrative regulations to establish academic standards for instruction on the Success Sequence; require the Department of Education to develop guidelines for implementing Success Sequence instruction; permit superintendents to partner with Kentucky-based nonprofits to develop required curriculum.
 Current Status:   1/14/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Primary and Secondary Education (H)
 Position:   BD OPPOSE
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB52.html
 
HB55RIGHTS OF PARENTS (FISTER D) AN ACT relating to the rights of parents.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 405 to define "child" and "parent"; establish specific fundamental rights of parents relating to care, custody, and control of their children, including the right and duty to make decisions regarding a child's use of cellular phones; provide a cause of action against the Commonwealth or its political subdivisions for violations of a parent's fundamental rights.
 Current Status:   1/14/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Families & Children (H)
 Position:   BD OPPOSE
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB55.html
 
HB74LIMITA ON GOVERNMENT SPENDING AND TAXATION (ROBERTS T) AN ACT proposing to create a new section of the Constitution of Kentucky relating to limits on government spending and taxation.

Propose to create a new section of the Constitution of Kentucky to create spending limits and restrictions on imposing new taxes, tax rate increases, fees, or extension of expiring taxes; provide ballot language; submit to voters for ratification or rejection.
 Current Status:   1/14/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Elections, Const. Amendments & Intergovernmental Affairs (H)
 Position:   DA OPPOSE
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB74.html
 
HB75PROPERTY EXEMPT FROM TAXATION (ROBERTS T) AN ACT proposing to amend Section 1 of the Constitution of Kentucky relating to property exempt from taxation.

Propose to amend Section 1 of the Constitution of Kentucky to provide citizens of the Commonwealth the right to exempt from property taxation a property owned and maintained solely as their primary residence and a motor vehicle owned and maintained solely as their primary vehicle after calendar year 2028; provide ballot language; submit to voters for ratification or rejection.
 Current Status:   1/14/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Elections, Const. Amendments & Intergovernmental Affairs (H)
 Position:   DA OPPOSE
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB75.html
 
HB88QUALIFIED EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP FEDERAL TAX CREDIT (ROBERTS T) AN ACT relating to the qualified elementary and secondary education scholarship federal tax credit.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 43 to elect for the Commonwealth to participate in the qualified elementary and secondary education scholarship federal tax credit program; designate the Auditor of Public Accounts as the officer to submit the Commonwealth's election and list of scholarship granting organizations to the United States Secretary of the Treasury; require the Auditor to maintain the Commonwealth's list of scholarship granting organizations and maintain certain information on the Auditor's website; authorize the Auditor to promulgate administrative regulations necessary to establish the list; and authorize the Auditor to enter into agreements to assist with implementing the section.
 Current Status:   1/14/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Primary and Secondary Education (H)
 Position:   DA OPPOSE
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB88.html
 
HB90EDUCATIONAL LOBBYING (GROSSL V) AN ACT relating to educational lobbying.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 160 to define "lobbying" and "public school or school district"; prohibit a public school or school district from expending any moneys to compensate an external individual or entity to lobby; permit employees of public schools or school districts to engage in lobbying services; permit schools to compensate external individuals or entities to represent their interest before the executive or legislative branch of the federal government; create a new section of KRS Chapter 164 to prohibit a public postsecondary education institution from expending moneys to compensate an external individual or entity to engage in lobbying services; permit employees of public postsecondary education institutions to engage in lobbying services; permit public postsecondary education institutions to compensate external individuals or entities to represent their interest before the executive or legislative branch of the federal government.
 Current Status:   1/14/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Primary and Secondary Education (H)
 Position:   BD OPPOSE
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB90.html
 
HB95PROVISION OF MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS IN SCHOOLS (WILLNER L) AN ACT relating to the provision of menstrual products in schools, making an appropriation therefor, and declaring an emergency.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 158 to require each public school that includes any of grades 6 through 12 to provide free menstrual products to students; require each local board of education to adopt policies for the distribution of free menstrual products; define "menstrual products"; appropriate to the Learning and Results Services budget unit with the Department of Education $2,000,000 in each fiscal year of the 2026-2028 fiscal biennium to provide menstrual products to students; APPROPRIATION; EMERGENCY.
 Current Status:   1/14/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Appropriations & Revenue (H)
 Position:   BD SUPPORT
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB95.html
 
HB99INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICTS (TIPTON J) AN ACT relating to independent school districts.

Create new sections of KRS Chapter 160 to establish a process for the creation of new independent school districts; define terms; establish a petition process for voters of a qualifying city to place the question of creating a new independent district and local board of education on the ballot; specify the requirements for the question and the board of education provisional election; establish the initial terms of office for the interim board of education; establish the transition of authorities from the originating district board of education to the boards of both the altered originating district and the new independent district; require the Kentucky Department of Education to calculate assets and liabilities of the originating district for division to the altered originating district and the new independent district; authorize the altered originating district to maintain control and use of assets until the scheduled transfer to the new independent district and authorize the continued payments of debts; establish a negotiation process between the altered originating district and the new independent district to resolve the division of the originating district's assets and liabilities; establish a deadline for the negotiation to conclude; provide a process for resolution of disagreements; establish a deadline for the transfer of all assets and debts; authorize the altered originating district to continue to assess and collect taxes for both districts until the close of the tax year in which the new independent district is fully operational; provide for the distribution of collected taxes during the transition period; require the mayor of the city to call the newly elected interim board of new independent district to meet; allow the interim board to request assistance from the Kentucky Department of Education; establish the transition process for the new independent district to become fully functional; allow the interim board to submit a waiver request for a statute or administrative regulation to the Kentucky Board of Education; authorize the interim board to enter into service contracts with another school district during the transition; establish a process for the interim board to vote to terminate the establishment of the new independent district due to financial nonviability during the transition; establish the transition from an interim board to a fully functional board of the new independent district; require the continued collection of taxes restricted to the payment of debt or interest; waive the requirement for school-based decision making for the first year of operations of the new independent district; require the interim board of the new independent district to develop a transition plan and establish the requirements of the plan; create a new section of KRS Chapter 157, relating to state formula funding calculations, to establish a projection model for the first year of full operations of the new independent district and the altered originating district.
 Current Status:   1/14/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Primary and Secondary Education (H)
 Position:   BD OPPOSE
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB99.html
 
HB102MISCONDUCT IN SCHOOLS (TIPTON J) AN ACT relating to misconduct in schools and at school-sponsored activities.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 160 to prohibit a public school district or public charter school from entering into a nondisclosure agreement relating to misconduct involving a minor or student; amend KRS 160.380 to define "abusive conduct"; require school district applicants to disclose being the subject of any disciplinary actions in the previous 12 months relating to abusive conduct and consent to a reference check; require school districts to conduct reference checks; require nonpublic schools and public school districts to disclose any disciplinary actions related to abusive conduct of applicants; provide immunity for disclosures made about school employee conduct; require school districts to request all related information from public and nonpublic schools and the Education Professional Standards Board (ESPB); require schools and EPSB to provide the records; require requests for information to be satisfied in 10 working days; require EPSB to create and implement procedures for information requests; require all school district applicants to list all schools of previous and current employment on the application; require a school district to internally report and investigate to completion all allegations of abusive conduct; require all records relating to an allegation of abusive conduct to be retained in an employee's personnel file unless the allegation is proven false; provide that certain requirements apply to public charter schools; amend KRS 156.160 to direct the Kentucky Board of Education to include employment standards in the voluntary certification standards for private schools; make technical corrections; amend KRS 160.151 to define "certified nonpublic school"; require employees of certified nonpublic schools to submit to a national and state criminal background check and a CA/N check; require certified nonpublic school personnel to have a state criminal background check every 5 years; prohibit a certified nonpublic school from hiring a violent or felony sex crime offender; require a certified nonpublic school to conduct reference checks on all applicants; prohibit a certified nonpublic school from entering into a nondisclosure agreement related to misconduct involving a minor or student; make technical corrections; amend KRS 156.095 to require the Kentucky Department of Education to develop a training related to sexual misconduct and inappropriate relationships for employees to undergo every 5 years; make technical corrections; amend KRS 161.151 to conform; require that an allegation of abusive conduct be reported pursuant to KRS 620.030; amend KRS 158.4431, 156.492, and 158.200 to conform.
 Current Status:   1/14/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Primary and Secondary Education (H)
 Position:   BD TRACK
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB102.html
 
HB104SCHOOL COOPERATION WITH PATRIOTIC ORGANIZATIONS (HART M) AN ACT relating to school cooperation with patriotic organizations.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 158 to define "organization" as a federally recognized patriotic civic service organization that consists of or serves youths; permit an organization to request and require superintendents to provide an opportunity to provide information to students on school property during a school day.
 Current Status:   1/14/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Primary and Secondary Education (H)
 Position:   BD TRACK
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB104.html
 
HB117DISRIMINATORY PRACTICES (BROWN JR. G) AN ACT relating to discriminatory practices against a person.

Amend KRS 344.010 to define "protective hairstyle" and "race"; amend KRS 158.148 to provide that school disciplinary codes shall prohibit discrimination on the basis of race; provide that the Act may be cited as the C.R.O.W.N. Act.
 Current Status:   1/14/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Primary and Secondary Education (H)
 Position:   DA SUPPORT
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB117.html
 
HB122HISTORICAL INSTRUCTION (BROWN JR. G) AN ACT relating to historical instruction.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 158 to require African history instruction in certain middle and high school world history and civilization courses; require Native American history instruction in certain middle and high school United States history courses; require the Kentucky Board of Education to promulgate administrative regulations establishing academic standards for the required historical instructions; require superintendents to adopt curricula for required instruction; require the Department of Education to collaborate with the Kentucky Center for African-American Heritage and the Kentucky Native American Heritage Commission to develop recommended curricula and instruction guidelines for the required historical instruction, elective high school course offerings in African history and Native American history, and relevant professional development materials.
 Current Status:   1/14/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Primary and Secondary Education (H)
 Position:   BD SUPPORT
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB122.html
 
HB130SCHOLARSHIPS (AULL C) AN ACT relating to scholarships.

Amend KRS 164.7879 to require the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority to annually adjust the Kentucky education excellence scholarship (KEES) based on the Consumer Price Index; permit the authority to annually adjust KEES supplemental awards based on the Consumer Price Index; require that KEES award adjustments be paid at the most recent calculation for the academic term in which a student utilizes their award; prohibit decrease in KEES awards; amend various statutes to conform.
 Current Status:   1/14/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Postsecondary Education (H)
 Position:   BD SUPPORT
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB130.html
 
HB137NEW SECTION OF THE CONSTITUTION OF KENTUCKY RELATING TO PROPERTY EXEMPT FROM TAXATION (WILLIAMS W) AN ACT proposing to create a new section of the Constitution of Kentucky relating to property exempt from taxation.

Propose to create a new section of the Constitution of Kentucky to provide homeowners who are 65 years of age or older with an exemption from any increase in the valuation of their permanent residence that is assessed after the later of the year the homeowner turned 65 or the year the homeowner acquired the property; require the exemption to be in addition to the exemption provided in Section 170 of the Constitution of Kentucky and notwithstanding Sections 171, 172, and 174 of the Constitution of Kentucky; apply the exemption to increases in valuation that occur after the date the amendment is ratified by the voters; provide ballot language; submit to voters for ratification or rejection.
 Current Status:   1/14/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Elections, Const. Amendments & Intergovernmental Affairs (H)
 Position:   DA OPPOSE
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB137.html
 
HB139ELECTIONS (DECKER J) AN ACT relating to elections and declaring an emergency.

Amend KRS 116.112 to allow the State Board of Elections to enter into intergovernmental agreements with other governmental agencies to exchange data to assist in investigating violations of election offenses; amend KRS 117.125 to require voting systems and equipment meet or exceed a standard approved by the Election Assistance Commission; amend KRS 117.145 to require that county clerks provide voting equipment with the necessary supplies for write-in votes on the day before any in-person voting occurs; amend KRS 117.265 to change the date a person running for President or Vice President must file a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate to the same deadline as the certification of candidates; amend KRS 117.355 to require county boards of elections to deliver signature rosters and precinct results to the State Board of Elections within 10 days after any primary or general election; amend KRS 117.379 to require voting systems meet a previously established Election Assistance Commission standard; amend KRS 117.389 to require county clerks to test automatic tabulating equipment after any petitions for local option elections have been filed; amend KRS 118.015 to change the definition of "political party"; amend KRS 118.125 to require that the notification and declaration be in the form prescribed by the Secretary of State; amend KRS 118.129 to allow a contraction as an acceptable form of a candidate's name; amend KRS 118.165 to require that candidates for Commonwealth's Attorney file nomination papers with the Secretary of State; amend KRS 118.315 to require that the form of petition be prescribed by the Secretary of State; amend KRS 118.367 to specify that candidates for a special election or election for an unexpired term shall not be required to file a statement-of-candidacy form; require that the statement-of-candidacy form be prescribed by the Secretary of State; amend KRS 118A.060 to require that the petition for nomination be in the form prescribed by the Secretary of State; amend KRS 119.015 to remove the term "falsely"; amend KRS 119.165, relating to the penalty of a Class B misdemeanor regarding voters who vote at a regular or special election before being a citizen; make technical corrections; amend KRS 132.017 to require that questions as to whether the property tax rate shall be levied shall be submitted to voters in a common school election not less than 50 days nor more than 60 days from the date the signatures are validated; require the school district holding the election to post bond with the Circuit Court to cover the costs of the election within 5 days after the petition is found to be sufficient; amend KRS 160.210 to prohibit changes in the boundary of any division after June 1 in the year in which a school board member is to be elected; amend various statutes to conform; repeal KRS 118.551, relating to the definition of political party; EMERGENCY.
 Current Status:   2/10/2026 - (H) Posted for Passage in Regular Orders of the Day; w/ HCS1
 Position:   BD OPPOSE
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB139.html
 
HB148USE OF SICK LEAVE BY SCHOOL DISTRICT PERSONNEL (GROSSBERG D) AN ACT relating to the use of sick leave by school district personnel.

Amend KRS 161.155 to allow school district employees to use sick leave for observance of religious holidays not otherwise included on the school's calendar, provided the employee submits a personal statement verifying the observance and gives advance notice to the district.
 Current Status:   1/14/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Primary and Secondary Education (H)
 Position:   BD SUPPORT
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB148.html
 
HB156INTERNASAL EPINEPHRINE (CAMUEL A) AN ACT relating to intranasal epinephrine.

Amend KRS 158.832 to include intranasal epinephrine to list of medications used to treat anaphylaxis; amend KRS 158.836 to include intranasal epinephrine as permissible for schools to keep.
 Current Status:   1/14/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Health Services (H)
 Position:   BD SUPPORT
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB156.html
 
HB160PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS (CAMUEL A) AN ACT relating to public charter schools.

Amend various statutes to remove references to public charter schools; repeal various sections of KRS Chapter 160 and KRS 161.141 relating to public charter schools.
 Current Status:   1/14/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Primary and Secondary Education (H)
 Position:   DA SUPPORT
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB160.html
 
HB161PUBLIC SCHOOL FACILITIES (DOAN S) AN ACT relating to public school facilities.

Amend KRS 165.055 to define terms; require school districts to permit public members of the community to access all running tacks on school property; establish the terms of the access; require the Kentucky Board of Education to promulgate administrative regulations to ensure implementation; create a new section of KRS Chapter 162 to define terms; make the intentional or negligent damaging of a school district running track or bringing a pet onto a running track or its immediate surrounding area unlawful; require school districts to report incidents of violations; amend KRS 162.990 to establish criminal and civil penalties for violations; EFFECTIVE January 1, 2027.
 Current Status:   1/14/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Primary and Secondary Education (H)
 Position:   BD TRACK
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB161.html
 
HB186QUALIFICATIONS FOR ELECTED OFFICE (BAKER S) AN ACT relating to qualifications for elected office.

Amend KRS 67.060, 83A.040, 160.180, and 262.240, to require a candidate for county commissioner, city mayor, city legislative body member, board of education member, and soil and water conservation district supervisor to be a natural born citizen of the United States and no other country and a national of only the United States in order to hold each respective office.
 Current Status:   1/14/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Elections, Const. Amendments & Intergovernmental Affairs (H)
 Position:   BD OPPOSE
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB186.html
 
HB191CONSTITUTION DAY (JOHNSON D) AN ACT relating to Constitution Day.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 158 to require that all public schools in Kentucky devote 1 class or instructional period for the observance of Constitution Day; establish Constitution Day program requirements; require the Kentucky Department of Education to develop and maintain a web-based resource for Constitution Day programming; provide that the Act may be cited as the Honoring Our Constitution Act.
 Current Status:   1/14/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Primary and Secondary Education (H)
 Position:   BD TRACK
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB191.html
 
HB207DEDUCTION FOR UNION DUES (KULKARNI N) AN ACT relating to a deduction for union dues.

Amend KRS 141.019, relating to income tax, to define "professional membership dues" and "union dues"; allow a deduction from gross income for union dues and professional membership dues paid for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2027, but before January 1, 2031, and require the Department of Revenue to annually report information about this deduction to the Legislative Research Commission; amend KRS 131.190 to allow the department to report on the exclusion.
 Current Status:   1/14/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Appropriations & Revenue (H)
 Position:   BD SUPPORT
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB207.html
 
HB233AMEND CONSTITUTION RELATING TO PROPERTY EXEMPT FROM TAXATION (BAUMAN J) AN ACT proposing to amend Section 172B of the Constitution of Kentucky relating to property exempt from taxation.

Propose to amend Section 172B of the Constitution of Kentucky to expand the freeze on an assessment or reassessment moratorium to include the development of property and to remove the 5-year expiration date for the moratorium; provide ballot language; submit to voters for ratification or rejection.
 Current Status:   1/15/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Elections, Const. Amendments & Intergovernmental Affairs (H)
 Position:   DA OPPOSE
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB233.html
 
HB235AMEND CONSTITUTION RELATING TO PROPERTY EXEMPT FROM TAXATION (BAUMAN J) AN ACT proposing to create a new section of the Constitution of Kentucky relating to property exempt from taxation.

Propose to create a new section of the Constitution of Kentucky to exempt homeowners who are 65 years of age or older from any increase in the valuation of their permanent residence that is assessed after the later of the year the homeowner turned 65 or the year the homeowner acquired the property; require the exemption to be in addition to the exemption provided in Section 170 of the Constitution of Kentucky and notwithstanding Sections 171, 172, and 174 of the Constitution of Kentucky; apply the exemption to increases in valuation that occur after the date the amendment is ratified by the voters; provide ballot language; submit to voters for ratification or rejection.
 Current Status:   1/15/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Elections, Const. Amendments & Intergovernmental Affairs (H)
 Position:   DA OPPOSE
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB235.html
 
HB243HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS (WHITE R) AN ACT relating to high school graduation requirements.

Amend KRS 156.160 to require any course meeting the health requirement for high school graduation include information on direct the Kentucky Board of Education to promulgate administrative regulations to organ donation.
 Current Status:   1/15/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Primary and Secondary Education (H)
 Position:   BD TRACK
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB243.html
 
HB245AMEND CONSTITUTION RELATING TO PROPERTY EXEMPT FROM TAXATION (BANTA K) AN ACT proposing an amendment to Section 170 of the Constitution of Kentucky relating to property exempt from taxation.

Propose to amend Section 170 of the Constitution of Kentucky to increase the homestead exemption to $75,000; require the homestead exemption amount to be indexed every year; provide ballot language; submit to voters for ratification or rejection; apply to property assessments beginning on or after January 1, 2027.
 Current Status:   1/15/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Elections, Const. Amendments & Intergovernmental Affairs (H)
 Position:   DA OPPOSE
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB245.html
 
HB250SCHOOL LUNCHES (TACKETT LAFERTY A) AN ACT relating to school lunches.

Amend KRS 160.345 to require a school council to adopt a policy requiring students to be assigned a lunch period of at least 30 minutes in length; amend KRS 158.153 to conform.
 Current Status:   1/15/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Primary and Secondary Education (H)
 Position:   DA SUPPORT
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB250.html
 
HB253READING INSTRUCTION (TIPTON J) AN ACT relating to reading and language arts instruction.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 158 to define terms; require the Kentucky Department of Education to establish an approved list of reading curriculum and interventions that do not use a three-cueing system; prohibit school districts from using any curriculum or program that employs a three-cueing system; prohibit the use of a three-cueing system in teacher professional development; require the Educational Professional Standards Board to promulgate administrative regulations establishing curriculum for each approved educator preparation program; amend KRS 158.307 to require rather than allow local boards of education to develop a policy on dyslexia; require rather than allow the policy to include listed items; amend KRS 164.304 to require postsecondary institutions offering teacher preparation programs to include instruction on dyslexia by the 2027-2028 school year, rather than the instruction being contingent on funding availability; amend KRS 164.306 to specify that educator preparation programs shall use evidence-based reading instruction and intervention programs and shall not provide instruction on a three-cueing system; amend KRS 161.028 to require the board to include in the standards set for teacher preparation programs that the programs shall use evidence-based reading instruction and intervention programs and shall not provide instruction on a three-cueing system.
 Current Status:   2/5/2026 - (H) SECOND READING, to Rules
 Position:   BD OPPOSE
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB253.html
 
HB257EDUCATION ASSESSMENT AND ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM (PAYNE J) AN ACT relating to the education assessment and accountability system.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 158 to define terms; permit local school districts to develop and implement a local accountability system; require data publication on the local accountability system; require the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) to provide technical assistance in the development of local accountability; permit KDE to incentivize local accountability; set the timeframe for requiring local accountability in all local school districts; authorize the Kentucky Board of Education to promulgate necessary administrative regulations; amend KRS 158.6453 to update terminology regarding academic standards; remove specific writing and editing and mechanics as required summative assessments; require KDE to incorporate a writing program into academic standards and professional development; require school-based decision making councils to adopt a writing program policy and publish it on the school's website; remove requirement for KDE to establish recommendations on using preliminary assessment data to identify students for advanced coursework; amend KRS 158.6455 to add individual student growth metric and student engagement as state indicators in the accountability system, remove quality of school climate and safety as state indicator, remove "status" and "change" metrics from state accountability system; amend KRS 158.6459, 164.7874, and KRS 157.069 to conform.
 Current Status:   2/5/2026 - (H) SECOND READING, to Rules
 Position:   BD SUPPORT
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB257.html
 
HB260CERTIFIED STUDENT SUPPORT PERSONNEL (GROSSL V) AN ACT relating to nationally certified student support personnel.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 157 to require a salary supplement for school social workers who have been nationally certified by the School Social Work Association of America and are employed by local boards of education if funding is provided for such purpose, permit local boards of education to provide a supplement from other resources if funding is not provided, and require inclusion of the supplement for Kentucky Teachers’ Retirement System calculations; create a new section of KRS Chapter 157 to require a salary supplement for school psychologists who have been nationally certified by the National Association of School Psychologists and are employed by local boards of education if funding is provided for such purpose, permit local boards of education to provide a supplement from other resources if funding is not provided, and require inclusion of the supplement for Teachers’ Retirement System calculations.
 Current Status:   1/15/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Primary and Secondary Education (H)
 Position:   BD SUPPORT
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB260.html
 
HB261SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST INTERSTATE LICENSURE COMPACT (GROSSL V) AN ACT relating to the School Psychologist Interstate Licensure Compact.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 161 to enact and enter into the School Psychologist Interstate Licensure Compact; declare purpose; define terms; set requirements for member states and for school psychologists to participate in the compact; establish provisions for active duty military members or their spouses; designate procedures for adverse actions against a school psychologist; create the School Psychologist Interstate Licensure Compact Commission and establish its internal procedures; provide for the commission to facilitate the exchange of information; establish rulemaking procedures, oversight, financing, dispute resolution, and enforcement provisions of the compact; create member state compact withdrawal procedures; provide for amendments to the compact; specify applicability of the compact to certain Kentucky state law.
 Current Status:   1/15/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations (H)
 Position:   BD SUPPORT
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB261.html
 
HB263UNDESIGNATED GLUCAGON (LEHMAN M) AN ACT relating to undesignated glucagon.

Create new sections of KRS Chapter 217 to define terms; permit health care practitioners to prescribe and dispense undesignated glucagon in the name of a school; permit authorized entities to receive, possess, and administer undesignated glucagon to a student during diabetic medical emergencies; permit schools to stock undesignated glucagon; provide for immunity from civil liability for any personal injury resulting from good-faith actions to use undesignated glucagon to treat diabetic medical emergencies; require the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to consult the American Diabetes Association when promulgating administrative regulations related to the administration of undesignated glucagon in schools.
 Current Status:   1/15/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Health Services (H)
 Position:   BD SUPPORT
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB263.html
 
HB270WAGES (GROSSBERG D) AN ACT relating to wages.

Amend KRS 337.275 to raise the minimum wage for employers to $9.50 an hour beginning on the effective date of this Act and incrementally thereafter to $15 an hour beginning on July 1, 2030; raise the state minimum wage for tipped employees to five dollars an hour beginning on the effective date of this Act.
 Current Status:   1/15/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Economic Development & Workforce Investment (H)
 Position:   DA SUPPORT
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB270.html
 
HB272LEGISLATIVE ETHICS (OSBORNE D) AN ACT relating to legislative ethics.

Amend KRS 6.661 to establish that the co-chairs of the Legislative Research Commission may employ an executive director of the Legislative Ethics Commission, as well as other necessary staff and contract personnel; require the co-chairs of the Legislative Research Commission to fix the compensation of staff and contract personnel of the Legislative Ethics Commission; establish that members of the staff of the Legislative Ethics Commission are subject to removal by the co-chairs of the Legislative Research Commission at any time; amend KRS 6.686 to allow the Legislative Ethics Commission to impose sanctions on persons who file a complaint that is determined to be frivolous, was filed for an improper purpose, or contains factual allegations lacking evidentiary support; provide that sanctions apply retroactively to January 2, 2026; RETROACTIVE, in part.
 Current Status:   1/15/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House State Government (H)
 Position:   BD TRACK
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB272.html
 
HB275KEES SCHOLARSHIPS (RABOURN F) AN ACT relating to KEES scholarships for students attending noncertified schools.

Amend KRS 164.7874 to define "eligible noncertified school graduate"; amend definitions of "KEES award," "KEES award maximum," and "KEES base amount" for an eligible noncertified school graduate; amend KRS 164.7879 to establish an equivalent grade point average for eligible noncertified school graduates based on the graduate's ACT score; amend KRS 164.7881 and 164.7884 to conform.
 Current Status:   1/15/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Postsecondary Education (H)
 Position:   BD TRACK
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB275.html
 
HB277SCHOOL NUTRITION (DOAN S) AN ACT relating to school nutrition.

Amend KRS 158.850 to define terms; ban schools from selling or providing ultra-processed foods during the school day.
 Current Status:   1/15/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Primary and Secondary Education (H)
 Position:   BD OPPOSE
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB277.html
 
HB289STUDENTS (BANTA K) AN ACT relating to students.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 159 to require a local school district to enroll a student on a part-time basis for courses or programs in a school, subject to standard enrollment policies and procedures; permit part-time enrollment in a local school district to partially satisfy compulsory attendance; prohibit part-time enrollee participation in interscholastic athletics; amend KRS 158.120 to specify that a nonresident pupil policy shall not discriminate on certain factors; prohibit a local school district from charging tuition to a parent or guardian; require school districts to determine and publish nonresident enrollment capacity; require the Kentucky Board of Education to create nonresident pupil enrollment application forms and specify the application process; require reporting by school districts and the Kentucky Department of Education on nonresident enrollment; create a new section of KRS Chapter 158 to define terms; create a formula for distribution of any state appropriated funds to eligible school districts for nonresident students; amend KRS 156.070 and KRS 157.350 to conform; require each school district to report on nonresident pupils and tuition charged during the 2026-2027 school year; require the Kentucky Department of Education to submit a compiled report to the Legislative Research Commission; EFFECTIVE, in part, July 1, 2028.
 Current Status:   1/16/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Primary and Secondary Education (H)
 Position:   BD OPPOSE
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB289.html
 
HB298KEES SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENTS OF NON-CERTIFIED SCHOOLS (BAKER S) AN ACT relating to KEES scholarships for students attending noncertified schools.

Amend KRS 164.7874, relating to KEES awards, to define terms; amend KRS 164.7879 to establish the use of a specified equivalent grade point average for eligible graduates of certain private, parochial, or church schools based on the Advanced Placement exam score, dual credit courses grade point average, or a combination of both; amend KRS 164.7881 and 164.7884 to conform.
 Current Status:   1/16/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Postsecondary Education (H)
 Position:   BD TRACK
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB298.html
 
HB301SERVICE CREDIT FOR THE TEACHERS' RETIREMENT SYSTEM (GROSSBERG D) AN ACT relating to service credit for the Teachers' Retirement System and declaring an emergency.

Amend KRS 161.500 to allow members of the Teachers' Retirement System to recover up to 10 unpaid days that were missed to observe religious holidays; include the recovered days in count of days worked for service credit; EMERGENCY.
 Current Status:   1/16/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House State Government (H)
 Position:   BD SUPPORT
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB301.html
 
HB304APPROPRIATIONS MEASURES (STEVENSON P) AN ACT relating to appropriations measures providing funding and establishing conditions for the operations, maintenance, support, and functioning of the government of the Commonwealth of Kentucky and its various officers, cabinets, departments, boards, commissions, institutions, subdivisions, agencies, and other state-supported activities.

The Governor's recommended State/Executive Branch Budget: Detail Part I, Operating Budget; detail Part II, Capital Projects Budget; detail Part III, General Provisions; detail Part IV, State Salary/Compensation, Benefit, and Employment Policy; detail Part V, Funds Transfer; detail Part VI, General Fund Budget Reduction Plan; detail Part VII, General Fund Surplus Expenditure Plan; detail Part VIII, Road Fund Budget Reduction Plan; detail Part IX, Road Fund Surplus Expenditure Plan; detail Part X, Phase I Tobacco Settlement; and detail Part XI, Executive Branch Budget Summary; detail Part XII, Appropriations from the Budget Reserve Trust Fund; APPROPRIATION.
 Current Status:   1/16/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Appropriations & Revenue (H)
 Position:   BD TRACK
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB304.html
 
HB307POSTSECONDARY ADMISSION (TIPTON J) AN ACT relating to proactive postsecondary admission.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 164 to define terms; establish a proactive postsecondary admissions program to be managed by the Council on Postsecondary Education; require each public postsecondary education institution in Kentucky to establish the minimum academic qualification for prospective admission to the institution and implement the common online application approved by the council by July 1, 2027; require the Kentucky Department of Education and each certified nonpublic school to submit a compiled list with designated information of all high school students who most recently completed their junior year to the council and the Kentucky Center for Statistics on or before September 1 of each year; require the KHEAA to submit the KEES award amounts of public and certified nonpublic high school students to the council on or before September 1 of each year; direct the council to send a personalized prospective admissions letter notifying each eligible high school student of each public postsecondary education institution in Kentucky where the recipient qualifies for prospective admissions, provides instructions for the recipient to apply for full admission, and of the student's KEES scholarship amount; provide that the personalized letter shall not constitute a guarantee of admission; retain the right for public postsecondary education institutions to perform a comprehensive reviews of all admissions applications internally; create a new section of KRS Chapter 151 to direct the Kentucky Center for Statistics to collaborate with the Kentucky Department of Education and the Council on Postsecondary Education to publish annual data on academic and workforce outcomes; amend KRS 164.020 to direct the Council on Postsecondary Education to establish a common online application and maintain a website for students to apply to Kentucky public postsecondary institutions through the common online application.
 Current Status:   2/10/2026 - House Postsecondary Education (H), (Bill Scheduled for Hearing)
 Position:   BD SUPPORT
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB307.html
 
HB323GOVERNMENT SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS (HOLLOWAY K) AN ACT relating to government social media accounts.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 61 to define "public agency," "harassment," "obscene," and "social media platform"; prohibit a public agency, or individual acting on behalf of a public agency, from disabling, deleting, blocking, hiding, or otherwise preventing a person or entity from commenting on a social media platform designated by the public agency to communicate government business or on an account of an individual with the authority to speak on behalf of the public agency acting on its behalf on his or her personal account; permit a public agency, or individual acting on behalf of a public agency, to disable or delete comments that are libelous or slanderous, obscene, would be considered harassment, or would pose an imminent threat to public safety as determined by a court; allow a person or entity to bring forth an action against a public agency, or an individual acting on behalf of a public agency, for any violation; create a new section of KRS Chapter 160 defining "official electronic school communication"; prohibit a public school, school district, or individual acting in his or her capacity on behalf of a public school or school district from directly or indirectly publishing an official electronic school communication to advocate for or against a political topic, party, candidate, or question; prohibit a public school, school district, or individual acting in his or her official capacity on behalf of a public school or school district from restricting lawful public commentary on a political topic, party, or question if the public school, school district, or person acting in his or her official capacity on behalf of a public school or school district directly or indirectly publishes such commentary on an official electronic school communication.
 Current Status:   1/20/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House State Government (H)
 Position:   BD OPPOSE
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB323.html
 
HB329CHILD WELFARE INVESTIGATIONS (WILSON N) AN ACT relating to child welfare investigations.

Amend KRS 620.030 to establish record keeping and process requirements for reports of alleged child dependency, neglect, or abuse.
 Current Status:   2/9/2026 - floor amendment (1) filed
 Position:   BD TRACK
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB329.html
 
HB334SEX-BASED CLASSIFICATIONS (MASSARONI C) 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:   1/21/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House State Government (H)
 Position:   DA OPPOSE
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB334.html
 
HB335CHOKING PREVENTION IN SCHOOLS (MASSARONI C) AN ACT relating to choking prevention in schools.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 158 to define "anti-choking device"; require school cafeteria personnel and other expected users of the device to be trained if a school obtains an anti-choking device; provide immunity from civil liability for rendering emergency care or treatment with an anti-choking device or the Heimlich maneuver at a public or private school; provide that the Act may be cited as Landon's Law.
 Current Status:   2/10/2026 - House Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection (H), (Bill Scheduled for Hearing)
 Position:   BD SUPPORT
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB335.html
 
HB336MINIMUM WAGES (AULL C) AN ACT relating to the establishment of minimum wages by local governments.

Amend KRS 65.016 and 337.275 to allow a local government to adopt and enforce an ordinance that requires a minimum wage at a rate higher than that found in KRS 337.275 for employers located within that government's jurisdiction.
 Current Status:   1/21/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Local Government (H)
 Position:   DA SUPPORT
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB336.html
 
HB341LABOR STANDARDS (WILLNER L) AN ACT relating to labor standards.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 337 to require every employer to establish a workplace policy that provides employees the right to disconnect from communications from the employer during nonworking hours; provide exceptions; amend KRS 337.990 to provide a penalty for violation of the lunch period requirements in KRS 337.355 and for violation by an employer of a right to disconnect workplace policy.
 Current Status:   1/21/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Economic Development & Workforce Investment (H)
 Position:   BD SUPPORT
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB341.html
 
HB346EMPLOYMENT (CAMUEL A) AN ACT relating to employment.

Amend KRS 336.130 to delete references restricting rights of public employees to organize, associate collectively, or strike; amend KRS 336.180 to redefine "labor organization" and delete definitions of "candidate," "committee," "contributing organization," "contribution," "election," "electioneering communications," "employer," "fundraiser," "independent expenditure," "political activities," "public employee," "slate of candidates," and "testimonial affair"; amend KRS 336.990 to conform; amend KRS 67A.6904 to allow urban-county governments to make an agreement with a labor organization to require membership in the organization as a condition of employment; amend KRS 67C.406 to allow consolidated local governments to make an agreement with a labor organization to require membership in the organization as a condition of employment; amend KRS 70.262, 78.470, and 78.480 to remove exceptions; amend KRS 345.050 to allow public employers to make an agreement with a labor organization to require membership in the organization as a condition of employment; amend KRS 336.1341 and 336.135 to conform; repeal KRS 65.016, 336.132, and 336.134.
 Current Status:   1/21/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Local Government (H)
 Position:   DA SUPPORT
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB346.html
 
HB349WAGES (STEVENSON P) AN ACT relating to wages.

Amend KRS 337.010 to increase the applicable threshold of employees of retail stores and service industries from $95,000 to $500,000 average annual gross volume of sales for the employer; amend KRS 337.275 to incrementally raise minimum wage of hourly and tipped employees and require adherence to any future federal increase in excess of the new state wage rates; include anti-preemption language permitting local governments to establish minimum wage ordinances in excess of the state minimum wage.
 Current Status:   1/21/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Economic Development & Workforce Investment (H)
 Position:   DA SUPPORT
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB349.html
 
HB357JURY DUTY (STALKER S) AN ACT relating to jury duty.

Amend KRS 29A.100 to require judges to excuse teachers from jury duty until the end of the school term if the Commonwealth is experiencing a teacher shortage.
 Current Status:   1/21/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Judiciary (H)
 Position:   BD TRACK
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB357.html
 
HB359HUMAN DEVELOPMENT INSTRUCTION (TATE N) AN ACT relating to human growth and development instruction.

Amend KRS 158.1415 to require a school district to adopt health curricula that includes human growth and development instruction that meets specific criteria; set restrictions for the instruction that grants parents an opportunity to review materials and opt their child out of instruction.
 Current Status:   1/21/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Primary and Secondary Education (H)
 Position:   DA OPPOSE
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB359.html
 
HB389READING AND WRITING IN SCHOOLS (HEAVRIN S) AN ACT relating to reading and writing in schools.

Amend KRS 158.307 to define "dysgraphia"; require the department to annually update the dyslexia toolkit; require the toolkit to include guidance on dysgraphia and strategies and other resources to be used for students displaying dyslexia and dysgraphia; require universal screeners and diagnostic tools be approved by the department; require each district to use evidence-based instructional strategies to provide intervention services; require school districts to report data to the department; amend KRS 164.304 to require postsecondary institutions offering teacher preparation programs include instruction on the application and implementation of a multitiered system of supports by the 2027-2028 school year. HCS (1) Retain original provisions; provide that evidence-based strategies that have been proven effective by the department shall be used in intervention services; make technical changes.
 Current Status:   1/29/2026 - received in Senate
 Position:   BD SUPPORT
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB389.html
 
HB390EDUCATION (RABOURN F) AN ACT relating to education.

Amend KRS 161.030 to specify the Education Professional Standards Board has authority only over educators hired by public schools; amend KRS 199.894 to define "learning pod" and exclude learning pods from the definition of "child-care center" and "family child-care home"; amend KRS 194A.381 to exclude learning pods from certain youth camp requirements.
 Current Status:   1/23/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Primary and Secondary Education (H)
 Position:   BD OPPOSE
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB390.html
 
HB391ELEMENTARY LITERACY (STEVENSON P) AN ACT relating to elementary literacy and making an appropriation therefor.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 171 to establish the Kids Love to Read Program; specify the program is for children in kindergarten through grade five; require books to be sent to children's homes; require the Department for Libraries and Archives to promulgate administrative regulations necessary to administer the program; appropriate $500,000 in fiscal year 2027-2028 to support the program; APPROPRIATION.
 Current Status:   1/23/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Primary and Secondary Education (H)
 Position:   BD SUPPORT
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB391.html
 
HB394PROHIBITED USES OF TAX DOLLARS (RABOURN F) AN ACT relating to prohibited uses of tax dollars.

Amend KRS 65.013 to create a cause of action for violations of the use of tax dollars to advocate for or against public questions on the ballot or to lobby or participate in executive agency lobbying; establish time limitation to commence suit and appropriate venue; provide damages recoverable per violation; allow for a class action; prohibit persons held civilly liable from holding a position of public trust or profit for 10 years; create a new section of KRS Chapter 65 to establish a criminal penalty and a prohibition against holding a position of public trust or profit for 10 years for individuals found guilty of a violation.
 Current Status:   1/23/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Elections, Const. Amendments & Intergovernmental Affairs (H)
 Position:   BD OPPOSE
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB394.html
 
HB395CURRICULUM (AULL C) AN ACT relating to curriculum.

Amend KRS 156.160 to require public middle and high school curriculum to include instruction on the history of racism.
 Current Status:   1/23/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Primary and Secondary Education (H)
 Position:   BD SUPPORT
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB395.html
 
HB405OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING FEES (DONWORTH A) AN ACT relating to occupational license fees levied by a board of education.

Amend KRS 160.603, relating to occupational license taxes for schools, to require a favorable vote of the local board of education prior to taking any other action to levy or increase the tax; require publication of the meeting in which the vote is expected to occur on the local board of education's website; subject an increase in the tax rate under KRS 160.607 to publication and public hearing requirements; expand the notification requirements for the public hearing; amend KRS 160.607 to require compliance with the publication and public hearing requirements and also a favorable vote by the fiscal court prior to authorizing an increase in a tax rate above the general maximum rate for school districts in counties having 300,000 or more inhabitants; amend KRS 160.484 to require the fiscal court to vote on an increase in a tax rate above the general maximum rate for school districts in counties having 300,000 or more inhabitants; set requirements for the rate based on the outcome of the vote; amend KRS 160.485, relating to recall procedures for proposed license tax levies or rate increases, to conform.
 Current Status:   1/23/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Appropriations & Revenue (H)
 Position:   BD OPPOSE
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB405.html
 
HB415EDUCATORS (CLINES M) AN ACT relating to educators.

Amend KRS 161.120 to modify disclosure requirements for certain complaints; remove requirement for a conference between the staff of the Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB) and a certificate holder after a determination of sufficient evidence; restructure provisions concerning written admonishments by EPSB and referrals to hearings; provide a timeline for EPSB hearings; modify the right of a certificate holder to request an expedited hearing; require the hearing to be conducted before a hearing officer who is a licensed attorney secured from the Office of the Attorney General; change the timeline for a superintendent's duty to report; amend KRS 160.380 to allow a superintendent to contact a prior employers and the EPSB concerning an applicant for a certified position; establish information that shall be provided to a requesting superintendent; provide record retention requirements; grant liability protections for qualifying disclosures.
 Current Status:   1/16/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Primary and Secondary Education (H)
 Position:   BD SUPPORT
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB415.html
 
HB416EDUCATORS (CLINES M) AN ACT relating to educators.

Amend KRS 161.028 to preclude the Education Professional Standards Board from requiring a minimum score on any assessment; require applicants to submit proof of completion of a formative basic skills assessment at the time of application; require applicants to submit results of a formative basic skills assessment prior to their first day of attendance; require the postsecondary institution provide supports for candidates aligned with their formative assessment performance; amend KRS 161.030 to require the Education Professional Standards Board to narrowly tailor content assessments to the area in which an applicant is seeking certification. HFA (1) Retain original provisions, except amend KRS 161.028 to remove requirement for all students to submit formative assessment results and permit a passing score of a college admissions examination as an alternative pathway for application; amend KRS 161.030 to specify the assessments required by the Education Professional Standards Board for certification shall include a narrowly tailored content assessment and a teaching pedagogy assessment.
 Current Status:   1/30/2026 - received in Senate
 Position:   BD SUPPORT
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB416.html
 
HB421INTERSCHOLASTIC EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES (DOTSON R) AN ACT relating to interscholastic extracurricular activities.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 158 to authorize participation in a public school interscholastic extracurricular activity by an at-home private school student; establish criteria for participation; require a parent, guardian, or teacher of an at-home private school student participating in a public school interscholastic activity to verify the student's academic progress; declare a public school student who does not make academic progress at a public school and withdraws and enters an at-home private school program ineligible for participation in an interscholastic activity for the remainder of the school year; provide that the Act may be cited as the Play Fair Kentucky Act.
 Current Status:   1/27/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Primary and Secondary Education (H)
 Position:   BD OPPOSE
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB421.html
 
HB438CIVIC EDUCATION (GROSSL V) AN ACT relating to civics education, making an appropriation therefor, and declaring an emergency.

Amend KRS 158.196 to require the incorporation of instruction on the Civil Rights movement in the social studies academic standards for elementary through high school; specify minimum requirements; APPROPRIATION; EMERGENCY.
 Current Status:   1/28/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Primary and Secondary Education (H)
 Position:   DA SUPPORT
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB438.html
 
HB443SEX CRIMES (TIPTON J) AN ACT relating to sex crimes.

Amend KRS 510.060, relating to rape in the third degree, to prohibit a school employee from engaging in sexual intercourse with a student enrolled in an elementary or secondary school with whom he or she comes into contact with as a result of that employment; amend KRS 510.090, relating to sodomy in the third degree, to prohibit a school employee from engaging in deviate sexual intercourse with a student enrolled in an elementary or secondary school with whom he or she comes into contact with as a result of that employment; amend KRS 510.110, relating to sexual abuse in the first degree, to prohibit a school employee from subjecting a student to sexual contact, engaging in masturbation in the student's presence, or engaging in masturbation while using the internet, telephone, or other electronic communication with a student who can see or hear the school employee masturbate; amend KRS 510.010 to define "school employee"; amend various sections of the Kentucky Revised Statutes to conform and make technical corrections.
 Current Status:   1/28/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Judiciary (H)
 Position:   BD TRACK
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB443.html
 
HB454ELECTIONS (HODGSON J) AN ACT relating to elections.

Amend KRS 67.060, 83A.040, 160.180, and 262.240, to require candidates for county commissioner, mayor, legislative bodys, local board of education member, and soil and water commissioner at the time of their elections or appointments and for the duration of their term in office to be a citizen of the United States, a citizen of the United States for 18 years immediately preceding election or appointment, citizen or national of only the United States and no other foreign state or country, and a citizen or national of only the United States and no other foreign state or country for 18 years immediately preceding election or appointment in order to hold each respective office.
 Current Status:   1/29/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Elections, Const. Amendments & Intergovernmental Affairs (H)
 Position:   BD OPPOSE
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB454.html
 
HB461HUMAN SEXUALITY INSTRUCTION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS (CAMUEL A) AN ACT relating to human sexuality instruction in public schools.

Amend KRS 158.1415 to exclude puberty instruction from the prohibition of human sexuality instruction for students in the fifth grade and below; make human sexuality instruction opt-out for parents instead of opt-in.
 Current Status:   1/29/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Primary and Secondary Education (H)
 Position:   BD SUPPORT
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB461.html
 
HB463FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY IN EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY PLANNING (GROSSL V) AN ACT relating to fiscal responsibility in education technology planning.

Amend KRS 156.660 to define terms; create a new section of KRS Chapter 156 to require the Kentucky Department of Education to develop a model education technology fiscal policy; state requirements of policy; require the Kentucky Board of Education to promulgate administrative regulations to require local school districts to adopt a model education technology fiscal policy; require local school districts and the Kentucky Department of Education to annually report on technology status for the prior school year; amend KRS 156.670 to move the responsibilities of the Council for Education Technology to the Kentucky Department of Education; amend KRS 156.160, KRS 157.615, 157.660, and 157.655 to conform.
 Current Status:   1/29/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Primary and Secondary Education (H)
 Position:   BD SUPPORT
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB463.html
 
HB466IMMUNIZATIONS (HOLLOWAY K) AN ACT relating to immunizations.

Amend KRS 214.034 to delete hepatitis B from the list of required immunizations for children; prohibit additional immunizations from being required by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services without the approval of the General Assembly; delete requirement for hepatitis B immunization for sixth grade school attendance.
 Current Status:   1/29/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Health Services (H)
 Position:   BD OPPOSE
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB466.html
 
HB468CIVIL RIGHTS (ELLIOTT D) AN ACT relating to civil rights.

Create a new section of KRS 344.010 to 344.025 to define terms; set standards for determinations of impairments; amend KRS 344.010 to define "major life activities," "regarded as having such an impairment," and "transitory impairment"; amend KRS 344.020 to provide for execution of the policies embodied in the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008; amend KRS 344.030 to provide that "qualified individual with a disability" is to be interpreted consistently with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 2008; amend KRS 344.190 to remove the adjudicative powers of the Human Rights Commission regarding matters related to employment and public accommodations; amend KRS 344.200 to provide that an aggrieved individual may file a civil action for a discriminatory practice other than a housing practice without first filing a complaint with the Human Rights Commission; require a probable cause determination on a complaint to be made within 30 days of the commission's receipt of the respondent's response or the expiry of the time for a response, whichever is later; require orders dismissing complaints with the commission to be made without prejudice; allow an aggrieved individual to file a civil action for the same grievance while a complaint is either pending with or has been dismissed by the Human Rights Commission; provide that the filing of a complaint before the commission does not toll the statute of limitations for the filing of a civil action; provide that the statute of limitations for an action filed by the commission on behalf of a private party who has not previously filed an action for that grievance is 3 years as provided under KRS 413.115; provide that a civil action for a grievance may only be filed by either the private party or the commission but not both; allow for a private party or the commission to intervene as a third party in a civil action filed by the other; bar the recovery of monetary damages by the commission; limit a private party's remedies to those set out in KRS 344.450; provide that all matters of fact are to be triable by jury; allow a private party with an complaint already filed with or pending before the commission to bring a civil action for the same grievance within 1 year of the effective date of this Act; amend KRS 344.320 to eliminate adjudicative functions of local commissions; amend KRS 344.635 to allow a party to a complaint for a discriminatory housing charge with the Human Rights Commission to demand a trial by jury if a civil action is elected in lieu of administrative hearing; repeal KRS 344.210, 344.230, 344.240, 344.270, and 344.340 related to adjudicative functions of the Human Rights Commission; amend KRS 344.660 and 344.675 to conform.
 Current Status:   1/30/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Judiciary (H)
 Position:   BD OPPOSE
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB468.html
 
HB469BOARDS OF EDUCATION (BIVENS R) AN ACT relating to local boards of education.

Amend KRS 160.180 to require that members of a local board of education not be ineligible for employment in the school district pursuant to KRS 160.380(5); create a new section of KRS Chapter 160 to require candidates or nominees for membership on a local board to hold a certificate issued by the Kentucky Department of Education certifying that the candidate or nominee is eligible for membership on the board to appear on the ballot, be certified as a write-in candidate, or be appointed; require individuals applying for a certificate to submit to and pay for a national and state criminal background check, submit a CA/N check and provide other supporting documentation to establish eligibility; provide that records collected pursuant to this section shall be used for the sole purpose of determining a candidate's qualification and shall be exempt from KRS 61.870 to 61.884; direct the department to issue a certificate to individuals that apply for a certificate and are eligible for membership on a board of education; amend KRS 160.190 to remove the requirement that evidence of twelfth grade completion be filed with an application for appointment to the membership on a board of education and instead require that appointed members hold a certificate of qualification issued by the department; amend KRS 117.265 to require a certificate of qualification issued by the department to be filed with a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate; create a new section of KRS Chapter 160 to direct the Kentucky Board of Education to adopt a code of ethics for members of boards of education; establish a complaint investigation and resolution process for allegations of violations of the code of ethics; require a determination by the Kentucky Board of Education of clear and convincing evidence that a violation occurred to issue a written public reprimand; require written public reprimands to be entered into the minutes of the next local board of education meeting; direct the Kentucky Board of Education to promulgate necessary administrative regulations; provide that existing members shall not be subject to removal on the basis of ineligibility for employment in a school district during their current terms; provide that Sections 1 to 4 of this Act take effect on January 1, 2027.
 Current Status:   1/30/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Primary and Secondary Education (H)
 Position:   BD TRACK
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB469.html
 
HB475GENDER (DOTSON R) AN ACT relating to gender.

Create a new section to KRS Chapter 2 to officially recognize that a person has only 1 gender, male or female.
 Current Status:   1/30/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Health Services (H)
 Position:   DA OPPOSE
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB475.html
 
HB494ADMINSTRATIVE REGULATIONS (ROBERTS T) AN ACT relating to administrative regulations.

Create new sections of KRS Chapter 13A to establish a process for final legislative approval or disapproval of administrative regulations promulgated by designated administrative bodies; indicate that approved administrative regulations will be considered ratified by the General Assembly only after enactment of legislation that specifically approves the section range, chapter, or title; delay the effective date of an affected regulation until the ratification process is complete; allow regulations necessary to prevent a loss of federal or state funding to go into effect sooner but remain subject to final approval; deem a disapproved ordinary regulation void or emergency regulation expired; require the regulations compiler to submit an eligible regulation list to the Committee on Committees of each chamber; establish session procedures and rules for the regulation review process in the legislature; require each administrative body to submit a list of its ratified regulations to the regulations compiler; authorize the General Assembly to prepare an omnibus bill to cover approved and disapproved regulations; amend KRS 13A.010 to define "final legislative approval" and "ratified"; amend KRS 13A.040 to require the regulations compiler to maintain a ratification status list for all regulations; amend KRS 13A.3102 to make regulation ratification apply to the 7-year certification process; amend KRS 13A.331 to make the ratification status of a regulation supersede its traditional adoption and effective status; amend KRS 13A.190 to conform.
 Current Status:   2/3/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations (H)
 Position:   LT OPPOSE
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB494.html
 
HB500EXECUTIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS (PETRIE J) AN ACT relating to appropriations measures providing funding and establishing conditions for the operations, maintenance, support, and functioning of the government of the Commonwealth of Kentucky and its various officers, cabinets, departments, boards, commissions, institutions, subdivisions, agencies, and other state-supported activities.

The State/Executive Branch Budget: Details Part I, Operating Budget; details Part II, Capital Projects Budget; details Part III, General Provisions; details Part IV, State Salary/Compensation, Benefit, and Employment Policy; details Part V, Funds Transfer; details Part VI, General Fund Budget Reduction Plan; details Part VII, General Fund Surplus Expenditure Plan; details Part VIII, Road Fund Budget Reduction Plan; details Part IX, Road Fund Surplus Expenditure Plan; details Part X, Phase I Tobacco Settlement; and details Part XI, Executive Branch Budget Summary; APPROPRIATION.
 Current Status:   2/3/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Appropriations & Revenue (H)
 Position:   BD TRACK
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB500.html
 
HB513FULL DAY KINDERGARTEN (STALKER S) AN ACT relating to full-day kindergarten.

Amend KRS 157.320 and 157.360 to remove references to kindergarten full-time equivalent pupils in average daily attendance for program base funding purposes; amend KRS 158.030 and KRS 158.031 to conform; amend KRS 158.060 to remove language that allows for half-day kindergarten programs; EFFECTIVE July 1, 2027.
 Current Status:   2/5/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Primary and Secondary Education (H)
 Position:   DA SUPPORT
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB513.html
 
HB517CONCEALED DEADLY WEAPONS (RABOURN F) 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, and 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 the Transportation Security Administration; 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:   2/5/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Judiciary (H)
 Position:   BD OPPOSE
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB517.html
 
HB528KENTUCKY SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF (ELLIOTT D) AN ACT relating to the governance of the Kentucky School for the Deaf.

Amend KRS 167.017 to set timelines for appointment of a search committee for the superintendent of the Kentucky School for the Deaf and appointment of the superintendent; specify superintendents duties; require prioritization of candidates that will be locally available and commit to full-time duties as superintendent; preclude Kentucky Department of Education employees or Kentucky Board of Education members from being appointed as superintendent within 1 year of employment or membership; amend KRS 167.037 to create the Kentucky School for the Deaf Board, set membership, structure, and duties; amend KRS 167.170 to permit the Kentucky Board of Education to delegate the power to expel a pupil of the Kentucky School for the Deaf to the Kentucky School for the Deaf Board; require members of the Kentucky School for the Deaf advisory board be appointed as the initial members of Kentucky School for the Deaf Board.
 Current Status:   2/6/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Primary and Secondary Education (H)
 Position:   LT SUPPORT
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/HB528.html
 
SB1EDUCATION (GIVENS D) AN ACT relating to education.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 160 to provide the findings of the General Assembly relating to Jefferson County Public Schools; provide the General Assembly's determinations based on those findings; repeal and reenact KRS 160.370, relating to duties of superintendents and local boards of education.
 Current Status:   2/3/2026 - received in House
 Position:   BD OPPOSE
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/SB1.html
 
SB2SALARIES OF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS (ADAMS J) AN ACT relating to salaries of school administrators.

Amend KRS 157.350 to provide that in order to be eligible to receive support education excellence in Kentucky funds a school district shall not provide the superintendent or any administrator a percentage pay increase greater than the average percentage pay increase provided to classroom teachers within the district; amend KRS 156.070 to conform.
 Current Status:   2/9/2026 - (S) THIRD READING, passed 38-0
 Position:   BD SUPPORT
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/SB2.html
 
SB3SCHOOL DISTRICT FINANCES (TICHENOR L) AN ACT relating to school district finances.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 160 to establish the calendar and procedures for a district superintendent and local board of education to adopt a school district budget; require that a budget must include a reserve of not less than 2%; amend KRS 160.431 to require the annual financial report and the Kentucky Department of Education's written report be published on the district financial disclosure website; amend KRS 160.463 to require a school district to maintain a district financial disclosure website; identify the information that shall be published on the website; amend KRS 157.440, 160.390, 160.460, 160.470, 160.473, 160.530 and 160.550 to conform; require districts to publish the most recent information available on the district financial disclosure website upon the effective date of the Act. SCA (1) Make technical corrections to conform. SFA (2) Retain original provisions; require posting of superintendent contracts and separation pay to the district financial disclosure website.
 Current Status:   2/3/2026 - received in House
 Position:   BD SUPPORT
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/SB3.html
 
SB4SCHOOL LEADERSHIP (WEST S) AN ACT relating to school leadership.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 156 to define "department" and "principal"; establish the principal leadership development practicum; require the Kentucky Department of Education to develop and operate the practicum and outline the required components of the practicum; allow for substitution of practicum hours for hours of instruction required by the effective instructional leadership program; begin the practicum requirements with the 2027-2028 school year; authorize the promulgation of administrative regulations for the operation of the practicum; amend KRS 156.101 to conform; amend KRS 161.207 to remove references to the principal internship program and make conforming changes to initial principal certification process; amend KRS 156.492 to remove an outdated reference; require the Kentucky Department of Education to submit a report to the Legislative Research Commission by November 1, 2026, setting out the implementation plan for the practicum. SCS (1) Retain original provisions; change requirement for the Kentucky Department of Education to partner with the Kentucky Chamber Foundation instead of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce for the fourth year of the practicum.
 Current Status:   2/9/2026 - (S) THIRD READING, passed 38-0 with Committee Substitute (1)
 Position:   BD SUPPORT
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/SB4.html
 
SB5KENTUCKY GROWN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCT PROCUREMENT (HOWELL J) AN ACT relating to Kentucky-grown agricultural product procurement.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 158 to define "agricultural product" and "Kentucky-grown agricultural product"; allow a local school board or local school district participating in any of the United States Department of Agriculture Child Nutrition Programs to purchase Kentucky-grown agricultural products in accordance with federal law.
 Current Status:   2/6/2026 - received in House
 Position:   LT SUPPORT
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/SB5.html
 
SB16WAGES (THOMAS R) AN ACT relating to wages.

Amend KRS 337.010 to increase the applicable threshold of employees of retail stores and service industries from $95,000 to $500,000 average annual gross volume of sales for the employer; amend KRS 337.275 to incrementally raise minimum wage for employers to $15.00 an hour; include anti-preemption language permitting local governments to establish minimum wage ordinances in excess of the state minimum wage.
 Current Status:   1/6/2026 - Introduced
 Position:   DA SUPPORT
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/SB16.html
 
SB22DUAL CREDIT SCHOLARSHIP PRGRAM (HIGDON J) AN ACT relating to the dual credit scholarship program.

Amend KRS 164.786 to define "eligible high school apprentice" and "eligible registered teacher apprenticeship program"; include eligible registered teacher apprenticeship programs in the dual credit scholarship program; establish student and school district eligibility and participation requirements in the eligible registered teacher apprenticeship scholarship program. SFA (2) Maintain all original provisions except remove the requirement that a student enrolled in the program achieve a grade of "C" or higher in all courses paid for by the program and require that a student maintain a high school grade point average of 2.75 or higher.
 Current Status:   1/23/2026 - received in House
 Position:   BD SUPPORT
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/SB22.html
 
SB26DISCRIMINATION IN EDUCATIONAL SETTINGS (TICHENOR L) AN ACT relating to discrimination in educational settings and declaring an emergency.

Create new sections of KRS Chapter 158 to define terms; prohibit a school district, public school, or cooperative board from providing differential treatment or benefits on the basis of an individual's religion, race, sex, color, or national origin; prohibit the Kentucky Department of Education, a school district, a public school, or a cooperative board from expending any resources on diversity, equity, and inclusion; prohibit the department, a school district, a public school, or a cooperative board from soliciting statements on an applicant's experience with or views on religion, race, sex, color, or national origin, from providing differential treatment or benefits to an individual based on the individual's participation in diversity, equity, and inclusion training, and from disseminating or profiting from any research, work product, or material that promotes or justifies discriminatory concepts of diversity, equity, and inclusion; establish exclusions; authorize the Attorney General to bring an action for a writ of mandamus to compel the department, a school district, a public school or a cooperative board to comply; create a cause of action to permit a qualified individual to file a civil action against a the department, a school district, a cooperative board, or a public school for injunctive relief arising from a violation of this Act; permit recovery of monetary damages for a willful and intentional violation; waive sovereign, governmental, and qualified immunity; prohibit retaliation; require each public school district and cooperative board to provide the State Treasurer the name, job title, duty station, and compensation information of each employee of the school district or cooperative board each month for publication; amend KRS 161.030 to require certain certification applicants to complete an approved professional development program on Kentucky education law; amend KRS 158.4416 and 158.4414 to conform; amend KRS 160.380 to remove language requiting targeted minority recruitment; amend various KRS sections to conform; repeal KRS 156.500 and 161.165; require school districts and cooperative boards to follow designated procedures when implementing this Act including termination or transfer of certain employees; require the Kentucky Department of Education to eliminate the Division of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging and follow designated procedures when implementing this Act including termination or transfer of certain employees; EFFECTIVE, in part, February 1, 2027; EMERGENCY.
 Current Status:   1/6/2026 - Introduced
 Position:   DA OPPOSE
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/SB26.html
 
SB41AD VALOREM TAX RATE (BOSWELL G) AN ACT relating to the levy of an ad valorem tax rate.

Amend KRS 132.017, relating to the process for a recall of a local ad valorem tax rate, to define "school nickel tax rate"; require a petition process for recalling the levy of a school nickel tax rate; remove other taxes levied by local governmental entities from the petition process requirements; require an ad valorem tax levied by a local governmental entity and a general tax rate levied by a local board of education to be voted upon by the voters if the tax rate produces more than 4% in revenues over the revenues produced by the compensating tax rate; require the suspension of the ordinance, order, resolution, or motion levying the tax rate until after the required election; allow a local governmental entity or a local board of education to cancel a required recall election by reconsidering the levy and instead levying a tax rate that produces no more than 4% in revenues over the revenues produced by the compensating tax rate; specify ballot and public notification requirements for the election; provide that if a tax rate is recalled, the compensating tax rate shall be levied; amend KRS 68.245, 75A.050, 132.018, 132.023, 132.027, and 160.470 to conform; make technical changes; EFFECTIVE January 1, 2027.
 Current Status:   1/7/2026 - Introduced
 Position:   BD OPPOSE
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/SB41.html
 
SB46SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION (DENEEN M) AN ACT relating to school transportation and declaring an emergency.

Amend KRS 156.153 to permit schools to use non-school bus passenger vehicles designed for 10, instead of 9, or fewer passengers; limit statewide driver qualification, training, and drug testing requirements to drivers of non-school bus passenger vehicles along regular bus routes and permit local school boards to adopt district policies on the use of those vehicles to and from approved school activities; exclude parents transporting students to and from school pursuant to a compensation agreement from the requirements of the section; amend KRS 160.380 to conform; EMERGENCY. SCS (1) Retain original provisions except amend KRS 156.153 to require an individual to submit to drug testing consistent with federal drug testing requirements in order to be authorized to transport any student using a non-school bus passenger vehicle to transport students to and from approved school activities; amend KRS 160.380 to direct a superintendent to require the driver of any non-school bus passenger vehicle authorized to transport students to and from approved school activities who does not hold a school bus CDL license to submit to background check every 5 years, submit to drug testing, and immediately notify the superintendent of certain criminal charges or violations.
 Current Status:   1/23/2026 - received in House
 Position:   BD SUPPORT
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/SB46.html
 
SB51CREATE A NEW SECTION OF THE CONSTITUTION RELATING TO PROPERTY EXEMPT FROM TAXATION (NEMES M) AN ACT proposing to create a new section of the Constitution of Kentucky relating to property exempt from taxation.

Propose to create a new section of the Constitution of Kentucky to exempt homeowners who are 65 years of age or older from any increase in the valuation of their permanent residence that is assessed after the later of the year the homeowner turned 65 or the year the homeowner acquired the property; require the exemption to be in addition to the exemption provided in Section 170 of the Constitution of Kentucky and notwithstanding Sections 171, 172, and 174 of the Constitution of Kentucky; apply the exemption to increases in valuation that occur after the date the amendment is ratified by the voters; provide ballot language; submit to voters for ratification or rejection.
 Current Status:   1/23/2026 - received in House
 Position:   DA OPPOSE
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/SB51.html
 
SB59PROHIBITED USES OF TAX DOLLARS AND RESOURCES (RAWLINGS S) AN ACT relating to prohibited uses of tax dollars and resources.

Amend KRS 65.013 to define terms; expand the prohibition on using tax dollars to advocate for or against a public question on the ballot to prohibit using any resources, and to explicitly apply prohibition to school districts, regional educational cooperatives, and recalls on a ballot; establish a criminal penalty and a prohibition against holding a position of public trust or profit for 10 years for a person found guilty of violating the prohibition; create a cause of action for a citizen aggrieved by a violation of the prohibition; establish a statute of limitations to commence suit and the appropriate venue; provide when the suit accrues; specify damages recoverable per violation; allow for class action; include a prohibition against holding a position of public trust or profit for 10 years for a person held civilly liable; amend KRS 48.025 and 132.017 to conform.
 Current Status:   1/9/2026 - Introduced
 Position:   BD OPPOSE
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/SB59.html
 
SB61KENTUCKY EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE SCHOLARSHIPS (ARMSTRONG C) AN ACT relating to Kentucky educational excellence scholarships and declaring an emergency.

Amend KRS 164.7879 to increase the Kentucky educational excellence scholarship base amount for each eligible grade point average; increase the supplemental award amounts; require a supplemental award for eligible Cambridge Advanced International scores; amend KRS 164.7882 to increase the award amount for an eligible student enrolled in a comprehensive transition and postsecondary program; amend KRS 164.7874, 164.7881, 164.7884, and 164.7885 to conform; EFFECTIVE July 1, 2026.
 Current Status:   1/9/2026 - Introduced
 Position:   BD SUPPORT
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/SB61.html
 
SB70PUBLIC PENSION OVERSIGHT BOARD (HIGDON J) AN ACT relating to the Public Pension Oversight Board.

Amend KRS 7A.220 to amend the membership and membership qualifications of the Public Pension Oversight Board by adding the chairs or vice chairs of the Senate State & Local Government Standing Committee and House State Government Standing Committee to the board, adding the State Treasurer to the membership, removing 1 of the gubernatorial appointees from the membership, and amending "retirement experience" requirements for appointed members to include experience in retirement plan management or policy by a former elected official; make technical and conforming changes; amend KRS 7A.255 to require the Kentucky Public Pensions Authority to annually report line of duty death benefit payments to the Public Pension Oversight Board in addition to line of duty disability benefit payments; make technical amendments; EFFECTIVE, in part, January 1, 2027.
 Current Status:   2/9/2026 - (S) Referred to Committee Senate State & Local Government (S)
 Position:   BD TRACK
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/SB70.html
 
SB71TRAINING REQUIREMENTS FOR LOCAL BOARDS OF EDUCATION (DENEEN M) AN ACT relating to training requirements for local boards of education.

Amend KRS 160.180 to require all local school board members to receive 6 hours of in-service finance training every 2 years. SCS (1) Delete original provisions; amend KRS 160.180 to require that the annual in-service trainings for school board members include ethics, open meetings and open records, and finance training; create additional training timeline requirements for board members who begin their initial service on or after January 1, 2015, and require 1 hour of superintendent evaluation for those members; direct the Kentucky Board of Education to identify criteria for school board members to fulfill all training requirements; amend KRS 160.160 to direct each board of education to review the procedures and responsibilities of the board and district employees regarding the school district budget; establish that the review will not count toward annual in-service training requirements.
 Current Status:   2/9/2026 - (S) THIRD READING, passed 38-0 with Committee Substitute (1) and Committee Amendment (1-title)
 Position:   BD SUPPORT
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/SB71.html
 
SB76LOCAL OCCUPATIONAL LICENSE FEES AND TAXES (MAYS BLEDSOE A) AN ACT relating to local occupational license fees and taxes.

Amend KRS 68.180, 68.185, 160.482, and 160.607, relating to local occupational license fees, taxes, and limitations, to increase certain population thresholds from 300,000 to 500,000; EFFECTIVE August 1, 2026. SCS (1) Delete original provisions, except amend KRS 160.607, relating to the local occupational license tax for schools, to increase the population threshold at which the maximum tax rate may be increased from 300,000 to 500,000; EFFECTIVE August 1, 2026.
 Current Status:   1/27/2026 - received in House
 Position:   BD TRACK
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/SB76.html
 
SB95SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION (MADON S) AN ACT relating to school transportation and declaring an emergency.

Amend KRS 156.153 to permit schools to use non-school bus passenger vehicles designed for 10, instead of 9, or fewer passengers; limit statewide driver qualification, training, and drug testing requirements to drivers of non-school bus passenger vehicles along regular bus routes; EMERGENCY.
 Current Status:   1/8/2026 - Introduced
 Position:   BD SUPPORT
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/SB95.html
 
SB101CHILDREN (NUNN M) AN ACT relating to children.

Amend KRS 158.150 to require a local board of education to expel a student for at least 12 months if the student intentionally causes physical injury to educational personnel at a school or school function; amend KRS 158.155 to require that school employees report attempted assault of any school employee to law enforcement; amend KRS 158.990 to provide for penalties for any person who intentionally violates KRS 158.155; amend KRS 610.200 to provide that a peace officer is not required to retain custody of a child for a felony violation of assault in the third degree; amend KRS 635.020 to provide that a child 14 years of age or older who is charged with a felony violation of assault in the third degree may be tried as an adult.
 Current Status:   2/6/2026 - Statutory Juvenile Justice Oversight Council, (Bill Scheduled for Hearing)
 Position:   BD TRACK
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/SB101.html
 
SB103PRESCRIPTION DRUGS (WHEELER P) AN ACT relating to prescription drugs.

Amend KRS 304.17A-164 to define terms; prohibit insurers and administrators from requiring insureds to pay cost sharing for a prescription drug that is greater than the cash price; require insurers and administrators to count the amount paid for a covered prescription drug towards the insured's cost-sharing if certain requirements are met; establish requirements for insurers, administrators, and pharmacies for submission of cash price paid by an insured; exempt a state employee health plan from counting third-party payments unless a cash price was paid that is less than the plan's negotiated price; provide for construction of cost-sharing requirements; amend KRS 304.17C-125, 304.38A-115, 164.2871, and 18A.225 to apply cost-sharing requirements to limited health plans, self-insured state postsecondary education institution employer group health plans, and the state employee health plan; create a new section of KRS Chapter 315 to require pharmacies to comply with cost-sharing requirements; provide that cost-sharing requirements apply to health plans issued or renewed on or after effective date; EFFECTIVE, January 1, 2027.
 Current Status:   1/16/2026 - Introduced
 Position:   BD TRACK
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/SB103.html
 
SB105READING AND WRITING IN SCHOOLS (THOMAS R) AN ACT relating to reading and writing in schools.

Amend KRS 158.307 to define "dysgraphia"; require the department to annually update the dyslexia toolkit; require the toolkit to include guidance on dysgraphia and strategies and other resources to be used for students displaying dyslexia and dysgraphia; require universal screeners and diagnostic tools be approved by the department; require each district to use evidence-based instructional strategies to provide intervention services; require school districts to report data to the department; amend KRS 164.304 to require postsecondary institutions offering teacher preparation programs include instruction on the application and implementation of a multitiered system of supports by the 2027-2028 school year.
 Current Status:   1/16/2026 - Introduced
 Position:   BD SUPPORT
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/SB105.html
 
SB111PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN SCHOOLS (REED A) AN ACT relating to physical activity in schools.

Amend KRS 160.345 to define "recess"; require each school council to develop and implement a wellness policy that includes 30 minutes of recess for students in kindergarten through grade 5 to be included as part of each full instructional day and 15 minutes of recess on each early dismissal day allows between 15 and 30 minutes of recess per instructional say for students in grades 6 through 12; allows appropriate supervised physical exercise to be used as a student discipline tool during recess; and prohibits the denial of recess unless participation poses an immediate threat to physical safety; require the wellness policy to be adopted and implemented prior to the first student attendance day of the 2026-27 school year.
 Current Status:   1/20/2026 - Introduced
 Position:   BD OPPOSE
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/SB111.html
 
SB114EDUCATION (GIVENS D) AN ACT relating to education.

Amend KRS 160.210 to require a county school district having reached an end-of-year enrollment of 25,000 or more students have 7 divisions with 1 board member appointed from each division and 4 members appointed from the county at large; require board members to be appointed by the chief executive officer of the county and confirmed by the legislative body of the county; require appointments to the board reflect no less than the proportional representation of the 2 leading political parties; amend KRS 160.160 to define "chief executive officer"; require school districts having reached 25,000 or more students to be under the management and control of a board of education consisting of 11 members; amend KRS 160.170 to require every person appointed to a board of education to take the board oath; amend KRS 160.190 require a board vacancy in a county school district having reached an end-of-year enrollment of 25,000 or more students be filled by the chief executive officer of the county; amend KRS 160.180 to require an appointed member of a board of education be subject to removal pursuant to KRS 156.132; amend KRS 156.132 require the chief state school officer recommend removal of appointed county board of education members guilty of immorality, misconduct, incompetency, willful neglect of duty, or nonfeasance; authorize the chief executive officer to remove an appointed member for cause in accordance with KRS 160.210; amend KRS 160.240, 304.48-250, and 304.50-055 to conform; allow elected members of county boards of education in districts having reached an enrollment of 25,000 to serve out the terms elected for; require initial appointments of 2 at large members to be for 2 years and 2 appointments to be for 4 years; require boards that require additional divisions to have accomplished those divisions by January 1, 2027; require additional positions not represented by an elected member to be filled by January 1, 2027; EFFECTIVE January 1, 2027.
 Current Status:   1/22/2026 - Introduced
 Position:   BD OPPOSE
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/SB114.html
 
SB120KENTUCKY BOARD OF EDUCATION (WILLIAMS G) AN ACT relating to the Kentucky Board of Education and declaring an emergency.

Amend KRS 156.029 to make members on the Kentucky Board of Education who represent each of the Supreme Court districts be elected in partisan elections instead of appointed; provide that the term of office will be 4 years from the first Monday in January following the election; provide that the initial term of a member elected to represent an even-numbered Supreme Court District will be 2 years and the initial term of a member elected to represent an odd-numbered Supreme Court District will be 4 years; remove language regarding the requirement to balance the demographic composition of the board; require the members elected to represent a Supreme Court district to reside in the district for at least 12 months prior to the election and for the duration of their terms; provide that general election laws apply and that removal is in accordance with KRS 415.050 and KRS 415.060; permit the board to appoint the student member of the board in April of the student's sophomore year, rotate nonvoting member appointments by Supreme Court district instead of congressional district; povide that a vacancy shall be filled in accordance with Section 152 of the Constitution of Kentucky; amend KRS 156.040, 118.105, 118.165, 118.305, 118.315, 118.325, 118.356, 118.365, and 160.220 to conform; repeal KRS 156.031, 156.147, and 156.1475; provide that the terms of members appointed between the effective date of this Act and January 3, 2028, expire on that date; EMERGENCY.
 Current Status:   1/23/2026 - Introduced
 Position:   BD OPPOSE
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/SB120.html
 
SB121EDUCATION (WILLIAMS G) AN ACT relating to education.

Amend KRS 156.161 to provide that certain school district facility project waivers shall not expire unless the Kentucky Board of Education provides for expiration when granting the waiver; require the state board to consider waivers no later than 45 calendar days after submission; amend KRS 157.360 to provide for a temporary exemption from maximum class sizes; require the state board to review the exemption issued by the Kentucky Department of Education within 45 days; amend KRS 156.029 to rotate nonvoting member appointments by Supreme Court district instead of congressional district; provide that the nonvoting student member on the state board shall be classified as a sophomore at the time of appointment; amend KRS 161.028 to require the Education Professional Standards Board to use a portion of the proceeds of certification fees towards the Kentucky Educator Placement Service System; amend KRS 156.160, 156.670, 157.615, and 157.655 to remove references to the Council for Education Technology and place the council's responsibilities with the Kentucky Department of Education; amend KRS 156.802 to direct that the department have administrative responsibility for the Kentucky FFA Leadership Training Center; repeal KRS 156.660, relating to definitions, and 156.690, relating to teachers' computer purchase system; provide procedures for the initial appointment of the nonvoting teacher and student representatives representing Supreme Court districts.
 Current Status:   1/23/2026 - Introduced
 Position:   BD TRACK
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/SB121.html
 
SB124SICK LEAVE FOR SCHOOL DISTRICT PERSONNEL (NUNN M) AN ACT relating to sick leave for school district personnel.

Amend KRS 161.155 to allow school district employees to use sick leave for observance of religious holidays not otherwise included on the school's calendar if the employee submits a personal statement verifying the observance and gives advance notice to the district; permit local school districts to compensate teachers and employees prior to retirement for accrued accumulated sick leave above 15 days at up to 30% of the teacher's or employee's daily wage; provide that compensation for sick leave compensated prior to retirement shall not impact retirement benefits or contributions to the Teachers' Retirement System or County Employees Retirement System and shall be considered as payment for services rendered; require the Kentucky Department of Education to annually report to the Legislative Research Commission on school districts who have established a program to compensate unused sick leave prior to retirement; amend KRS 78.616 and 161.220 to conform and to make technical amendments.
 Current Status:   1/27/2026 - Introduced
 Position:   LT TRACK
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/SB124.html
 
SB127TEACHERS' RETIREMENT SYSTEM (HIGDON J) AN ACT relating to actuarial costs of annual leave payments in the Teachers' Retirement System.

Amend KRS 161.540 to specify payment obligations for the inclusion of annual leave payments in a retiring member's pension benefits from the Teachers' Retirement System (TRS) by requiring the state to pay the actuarial costs for annual leave accrued through July 31, 2026, and the last employer pay the actuarial costs for annual leave accrued on or after August 1, 2026.
 Current Status:   2/9/2026 - (S) Referred to Committee Senate State & Local Government (S)
 Position:   LT TRACK
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/SB127.html
 
SB181SCHOOLS (TICHENOR L) AN ACT relating to schools and declaring an emergency.

Amend KRS 160.145 to expand existing definitions and define "private electronic communication" and "qualified school volunteer"; limit the scope of unauthorized electronic communication to private electronic communication and exclude designated types of communication from the scope of the requirement to obtain written parental consent prior to communicating outside of the traceable communication system; limit the scope of the school volunteers subject to this section to qualified school volunteers; specify that the requirement to obtain written parental consent only applies to students enrolled within the same school district as the school district employee or qualified school volunteer; permit a local school district more flexibility in disciplinary actions arising from a violation of this section; permit a written parental consent form to designate more than 1 school district employee or qualified school volunteer; provide that the written consent may be revoked by the parent who filed the consent; require notice of the revocation to be sent to the identified school district employee or qualified school volunteer; prohibit a school or school district from refusing to accept parental consent forms; prohibit requiring parental consent forms under this section as a requirement for a student to participate in an academic, athletic, or extracurricular opportunity; provide an emergency exception to permit a school district employee or qualified school volunteer to communicate electronically without prior written parental consent if the individual discloses the communication after the fact; permit a school district to reconsider allowing previously prohibited volunteers; create a new section of KRS Chapter 160 to prohibit a public school district or public charter school from entering into a nondisclosure agreement relating to unauthorized electronic communication or misconduct involving a minor or student; amend KRS 160.380 to define "abusive conduct"; require school district applicants to disclose being the subject of any disciplinary actions in the previous 12 months relating to abusive conduct and consent to a reference check; require school districts to conduct reference checks; require nonpublic schools and public school districts to disclose any disciplinary actions related to abusive conduct of applicants; provide immunity for disclosures made about school employee conduct; require school districts to request all related information from public and nonpublic schools and the Education Professional Standards Board (ESPB); require schools and EPSB to provide the records; require requests for information to be satisfied in 10 working days; require EPSB to create and implement procedures for information requests; require all school district applicants to list all schools of previous and current employment on the application; require a school district to internally report and investigate to completion all allegations of abusive conduct; require all records relating to an allegation of abusive conduct to be retained in an employee's personnel file unless the allegation is proven false; provide that certain requirements apply to public charter schools; amend KRS 156.160 to direct the Kentucky Board of Education to include employment standards in the voluntary certification standards for private schools; make technical corrections; amend KRS 160.151 to define "certified nonpublic school"; require employees of certified nonpublic schools to submit to a national and state criminal background check and a CA/N check; require certified nonpublic school personnel to have a state criminal background check every 5 years; prohibit a certified nonpublic school from hiring a violent or felony sex crime offender; require a certified nonpublic school to conduct reference checks on all applicants; prohibit a certified nonpublic school from entering into a nondisclosure agreement related to misconduct involving a minor or student; make technical corrections; amend KRS 156.095 to require the Kentucky Department of Education to develop a training related to sexual misconduct and inappropriate relationships for employees to undergo every 5 years; make technical corrections; amend KRS 161.151 to conform; require that an allegation of abusive conduct be reported pursuant to KRS 620.030; amend KRS 158.4431, 156.492, and 158.200 to conform; provide that Section 2 may be cited as Erin's Law; EMERGENCY. SCS (1) Delete all provisions except amendments to KRS 160.145; amend definitions of "family member," "parent," "private electronic communication," "qualified school volunteer," "school district employee," and " unauthorized electronic communication"; make technical changes. SFA (1) Retain all provisions; require parental notification for all material phases of an investigation of or disciplinary actions arising from unauthorized electronic communication with students. SFA (2) Retain all provisions; exclude electronic communication between a student and a school resource officer of director of pupil personnel from the definition of unauthorized electronic communication when designated school administrators are included in the communication.
 Current Status:   1/28/2026 - received in House
 Position:   BD SUPPORT
 State Bill Page:   https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/SB181.html
 
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