AN ACT relating to Medicaid, making an appropriation therefor, and declaring an emergency.

HCS(1) Retain original provisions, with the following changes: require individuals enrolled in Medicaid to demonstrate community engagement for 3 consecutive months to maintain eligibility; delete provisions prohibiting certain forms of cost sharing in the Medicaid program; delete requirement for copayments on prescription glasses and contacts from January 1, 2027, through September 30, 2028; establish copayment amounts for prescription drugs; require Medicaid benefit and tracking agencies to review data from the National Change of Address database on a quarterly basis; require calculation of capitation rates for NEMT brokers to consider region-specific factors; require NEMT brokers to attest to the accuracy of data provided to a state agency; require the Department for Medicaid Services to designate a nationally recognized level of care assessment tool for each 1915(c) waiver program; require an individual be a resident of Kentucky for at least 1 year before being eligible for enrollment in a 1915(c) waiver program; exempt members of the United States Armed Services, their families, and veterans from certain 1915(c) waiver requirements; delete provisions requiring the enrollment of individuals on a 1915(c) waiver waitlist in the fee-for-service Medicaid program; require the Department for Medicaid Services to establish waiver-specific emergency allocation criteria for each 1915(c) waiver program by January 1, 2027; delete provisions exempting individuals currently on a waiver waitlist from the newly established tiered priority leveling system; require the Department for Medicaid Services to employ a Medicaid dental director by July 1, 2028; require the Medicaid dental director to be licensed under KRS Chapter 313; delete provisions limiting compensation to the dental administrative services organization; delete provisions permitting the establishment of an incentive payment program for the dental administrative services organization; delay implementation of the transition of Medicaid-covered dental services to an administrative services organization delivery model until January 1, 2029; prohibit procurement of a dental administrative services organization until January 1, 2028; delete provisions related to quality control reviews by the Commonwealth Office of the Ombudsman; create new sections of KRS Chapter 205 to establish a timeline for procuring new managed care contracts; sunset provision as of March 15, 2029; prohibit the Medicaid program from covering prescription drugs prescribed primarily for weight loss or weight management; delay establishment of the Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board Dental Services Transition subcommittee until July 1, 2027; delete provisions requiring any contract between the Department for Medicaid Services and a managed care organization entered into, renewed, or extended after the effective date of this Act to provide notice to the managed care organization of the department's intent to transition dental services from a managed care delivery model to an administrative services organization delivery model; require the healthcare transparency dashboard to track certain performance indicators; make technical changes. HFA(18) Require nonemergency medical transportation (NEMT) regional brokers to achieve an annual medical loss ratio of at least 85% for the state fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026; require NEMT regional brokers to achieve an annual medical loss ratio of at least 87.5% for the state fiscal year beginning July 1, 2027; require NEMT regional brokers to achieve an annual medical loss ratio of at least 90% for the state fiscal year beginning July 1, 2028 and each state fiscal year thereafter. SCS (1) Retain original provisions, except delete provisions related to implementation of cost-sharing requirements between January 1, 2027, and September 30, 2028; delete provisions related to limitations on the authority of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to request a hardship waiver related to community engagement; delete provisions related to prohibitions on self-attestation; delete provisions related to implementation of a tiered priority system for assigning waiver slots; delete provisions related to a comprehensive examination of the Medicaid program conducted by the Auditor of Public Accounts; delete provisions related to the appropriation of funds to the office of the Auditor of Public Accounts to conduct a comprehensive examination of the Medicaid program; delete provisions related to the establishment of Medicaid impact statements; delete provisions prohibiting Medicaid coverage for prescription drugs when primarily prescribed for weight management; require the Legislative Research Commission to collaborate, instead of partnering, with the University of Kentucky and University of Louisville to develop a healthcare transparency dashboard; revise provisions related to Medicaid provider audits conducted by a managed care organization; revise the amount of cost-sharing requirements in the Medicaid program; require Medicaid eligibility redetermination be conducted every 6 months beginning January 1, 2027 instead of July 1, 2026; establish that existing statutory limitations on self-attestation shall apply to determinations of compliance with community engagement requirements; revise the definition of "inactive Medicaid provider"; revise the process for how the Department for Medicaid Services shall handle returned mail; establish that the cost of global positioning system devices in vehicles providing nonemergency medical transportation services be borne by regional brokers and not the Department for Medicaid Services; permit advanced practice registered nurses, physician's assistants, and licensed psychologists to provide attestation to an individual's need for waiver services; establish that an individual who is under the age of 18 and receiving waiver services on the effective date of this Act shall continue to be reassessed using level of care assessment tools in effect on the effective date of this Act; require reserve capacity waiver slots to prioritize allocation to individuals who are in need of skilled nursing services; amend KRS 7A.286 to revise the schedule of examinations conducted by the Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board; amend KRS 205.5372 to prohibit the Cabinet for Health and Family Services from providing any Medicaid benefit or expending general fund moneys on any benefit that has not been expressly authorized by the General Assembly or required under federal law or make any change related to Medicaid eligibility, coverage, or benefits without authorization from the General Assembly to do so; delete provisions related to the establishment of a Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board subcommittee on Medicaid-covered dental services; establish that emergency allocation criteria requiring need for skilled nursing services shall only apply to the home and community based, or HCB, waiver program; require currently enrolled Medicaid beneficiaries to demonstrate community engagement for 3 out of the previous 6 months, instead of 3 consecutive months out of the previous 6 months. SCA (1T) Make title amendment. FCCR (1) Retain original provisions; establish procedures for Medicaid managed care organization provider audits; direct the Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board to study waiver waitlist management strategies during the 2026 legislative interim; direct the Department for Medicaid Services to distribute funds to Volunteers of America for administration of a community engagement pilot program.

  CURRENT STATUS

4/14/2026 - delivered to Secretary of State

AN ACT relating to child care and declaring an emergency.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 199 related to the quality-based graduated early care and education rating system program to establish the intent of the General Assembly related to the program; establish processes and procedures for how the program is changed by administrative regulation; require a program modernization plan and final recommendations for modernization to be created and submitted to the Legislative Research Commission; amend KRS 199.891 to define terms; create new requirements for how the Cabinet for Health and Family Services establishes and operates the Certified Child Care Community Designation Program; delete language related to a previous 1 time requirement for the cabinet to submit recommendations and best practices to the Legislative Research Commission; establish a new January 1, 2028 submission deadline for the cabinet to make publicly available a standardized application for certification and instructions for the program; establish new requirements for applications by local governments to participate in the program; require an annual report by the Cabinet for Economic Development regarding the program; amend KRS 199.8983 to increase the membership of the Kentucky Child Care Advisory Council; establish that the council shall additionally advise the Cabinet for Health and Family Services on the operations, funding, and licensing of child-care microcenters; create new sections of KRS Chapter 199 to define terms; establish licensure for child-care microcenters; establish the Kentucky Child-Care Microcenter Program to regulate the standards and operations of child-care microcenters; establish early care and education training requirements for licensed child-care providers and certified family child-care home providers; establish that the Education and Labor Cabinet shall compile, produce, and make publicly available a monthly report providing a comprehensive snapshot of all licensed and certified child care services, Head Start services, child care services regulated by the United States Department of Defense, and state-funded public preschool services operating within the Commonwealth; establish a voluntary designation process through which any licensed or certified child-care provider may identify as a faith-based program; require the Office of State Budget Director to produce a comprehensive annual report outlining all state and federal spending on child care and early childhood education services and submit it annually to the Legislative Research Commission; establish that the Cabinet for Health and Family Services shall submit an approval request to the federal Administration for Children and Families to utilize a cost estimation model to inform payment rates beginning with the fiscal year 2028-2030 Child Care and Development Fund state plan; amend KRS 199.882 to change the definitions of "contribution" and "state match" and define "third-party administrator"; amend KRS 199.883 to establish that the Cabinet for Health and Family Services shall enter into a contract with a private third-party administrator to administer the Employee Child Care Assistance Partnership Program and establish duties and requirements of the third-party administrator; amend KRS 199.885 to establish the third-party administrator is responsible for issuing state fund matches out of the Employee Child Care Assistance Partnership fund; amend KRS 199.886 and 199.887 to specify how employers and employees interact directly with the third-party administrator instead of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. HCS (1) Retain original provisions; amend KRS 199.8982 to establish an exemption from the state certification requirements for a child-care provider on a military installation or military facility that is licensed or certified as a family child-care provider by the United States Department of Defense, any branch of the United States Armed Forces, the National Guard, or reserve component thereof; establish a pilot program related to specific family child-care homes that meet requirements set by the Armed Forces and the United States Department of Defense; EMERGENCY. SFA (1) Create new sections of KRS Chapter 199 to define terms; create the Kentucky Kindergarten Readiness Performance-Based Child-Care Incentive Pilot Program; require the University of Kentucky to operate the pilot program; establish the purpose and directives of the pilot program; establish completion date and reporting requirements; establish that the Kentucky Kindergarten Readiness Performance-Based Child-Care Incentive Pilot Program will determine how to award incentive funds that could include direct payments or refundable tax credits. SFA (2) Amend KRS 199.896 to establish standards and factors for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to consider in determining whether to issue a plan of correction, directed plan of correction, or suspension or revocation of a child-care license in response to any alleged violation of an administrative regulation by a child-care center; require that a single violation of a directed plan of correction does not result in a suspension or revocation of a child-care center's license unless the violation is solely determined to be serious enough to justify the action; permit documentation to be submitted to the cabinet up to 5 business days following a request; require weekly support contacts for a child-care center with a preliminary license; prohibit the cabinet from issuing violations during the probationary period; permit, but not require the inspector general, the inspector general's designee, or other cabinet representative, to take actions relating to a child-care center license; make technical corrections; apply provisions of the Act to pending and not yet final actions related to licensed child-care centers, and to all actions that occur on or after the effective date; EMERGENCY.

  CURRENT STATUS

4/14/2026 - BECAME LAW WITHOUT GOVERNOR'S SIGNATURE

AN ACT relating to Medicaid.

Amend KRS 205.520 to establish that it is the policy of the Commonwealth to provide Medicaid eligibility for all residents of the Commonwealth who may be eligible under federal law; amend KRS 205.6312 to require the establishment of cost-sharing requirements in the Medicaid program to the extent required under federal law; require the Governor to commission an independent third-party analysis of the current Medicaid expansion; require the Cabinet for Health and Family Services or the Department for Medicaid Services to seek federal approval if it is determined that such approval is necessary; provide authorization from the General Assembly to make changes the Medicaid program as required under KRS 205.5372(1).

  CURRENT STATUS

1/13/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Appropriations & Revenue (H)

AN ACT relating to mental health coverage in connection with pregnancy.

Create a new section of Subtitle 17A of KRS Chapter 304 to define terms; require health benefit plans to provide coverage for counseling interventions for pregnant and postpartum persons at increased risk of perinatal depression, including persons who have suffered a miscarriage or stillbirth; suspend the coverage requirement's application to qualified health plans if the state would be required to make cost defrayal payments; amend KRS 304.17A-099 to conform; amend KRS 205.522, 205.6485, 164.2871, and 18A.225 to require Medicaid, the Kentucky Children's Health Insurance Program, self-insured employer plans provided by the governing board of a state postsecondary education institution, and the state employee health plan to comply with the coverage requirement for counseling interventions; provide that certain provisions apply to health benefit plans issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2027; require the Cabinet for Health and Family Services or Department for Medicaid Services to obtain federal approval if it is determined that such approval is necessary and comply with notice requirements; provide authorization from the General Assembly to make changes in the Medicaid program as required under KRS 205.5372(1); EFFECTIVE, in part, January 1, 2027.

  CURRENT STATUS

1/13/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Banking & Insurance (H)

AN ACT relating to family impact statements.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 6 to require the Legislative Research Commission to prepare a family impact statement for every bill or resolution introduced during a regular or extraordinary session of the Kentucky General Assembly; define terms; establish procedures.

  CURRENT STATUS

1/14/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Families & Children (H)

AN ACT relating to licensed child-care centers and declaring an emergency.

Amend KRS 199.896 to establish square footage requirements for child-care centers. HCS(1) Retain original provisions; establish a waiver process where an child-care center applicant can request a waiver from the child-care center square footage requirements under certain circumstances.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/26/2026 - received in Senate

AN ACT relating to diaper access programs.

Create new sections of KRS Chapter 200 to define terms; establish the Kentucky Diaper Access Board and its functions related to the development of a state plan for the distribution of funds from the Kentucky diaper access trust fund; establish the Kentucky diaper access trust fund and the purposes for which funds are disbursed to diaper access programs in the Commonwealth.

  CURRENT STATUS

1/16/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Families & Children (H)

AN ACT relating to child care.

Amend KRS 199.894 to define terms; apply definitions to Section 2 of the Act; amend KRS 199.8982 to require that the Cabinet for Health and Family Services allow certified family child-care home providers and licensed type II child-care centers to participate in the Child Care Assistance Program and establish requirements related to a provider's children in the program and other nonrelative children of the provider that are served in the program.

  CURRENT STATUS

1/28/2026 - floor amendment (1) filed

AN ACT relating to child-care providers on a military installation or facility.

Amend KRS 199.8982 to establish an exemption from the state certification requirements for a child-care provider on a military installation or military facility that is licensed or certified as a family child-care provider by the United States Department of Defense, any branch of the United States Armed Forces, the National Guard, or reserve component thereof.

  CURRENT STATUS

1/20/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Families & Children (H)

AN ACT relating to child-care centers.

Amend KRS 199.896 to establish licensure requirements for child-care centers; amend KRS 199.8962 to establish operational standards for child-care centers.

  CURRENT STATUS

1/20/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Families & Children (H)

AN ACT relating to forcible entry and detainer.

Create new sections of KRS 383.200 to 383.285 to provide for expungement of records in eviction proceedings that are dismissed; prohibit minors from being named in an action for forcible detainer unless the minor is a leaseholder; provide for expungement of a minor's name from an order; amend KRS 383.250 to provide for sealing of records; amend KRS 367.310 to prohibit consumer reporting agencies from maintaining information in their files relating to dismissed eviction actions; provide that the expungement of dismissed eviction actions applies to actions initiated on or after the effective date of the Act. HCS(1) Retain original provisions; provide for expungement when the case is dismissed or when judgment is entered for all defendants; require expungement orders to be on a form provided by the Administrative Office of the Courts; require the clerk of the court to delete or remove expunged records within 45 days of an order of expungement; prohibit a minor from being named as a defendant in forcible detainer actions unless the minor is the primary leaseholder and the lease is not otherwise void; require the court, when a minor is improperly named in a forcible detainer action, to dismiss the minor as a party to the action; allow the court to direct the sealing of documents necessary to protect the privacy of the minor; amend KRS 383.240 to require the court to give notice to the parties that records will be expunged.

  CURRENT STATUS

4/14/2026 - (S) Returned to Committee Senate Committee on Committees (S)

AN ACT relating to termination of residential leases.

Create new sections of KRS Chapter 383 to define terms; permit a tenant to terminate a residential lease or rental agreement if he or she is seeking relocation due to a recent mental or physical health emergency; require the tenant to pay any rent due prorated to the effective date of termination; relieve the tenant from liability for any other rent or fees resulting from the termination; permit a covered tenant to terminate a lease or rental agreement upon the death of his or her spouse or cotenant; permit a tenant to terminate a residential lease or rental agreement if the landlord fails to abate a lead-hazard; relieve the tenant from liability for any other rent or fees resulting from the termination due to a lead-hazard; direct that provisions apply only to leases or rental agreements entered into or renewed on or after the effective date of the Act.

  CURRENT STATUS

1/21/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Judiciary (H)

AN ACT relating to alternative sentences.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 533 to define terms; require the court, upon conviction of the defendant, to consider the defendant's status as a caretaker of a dependent child; provide that a court's determination of a defendant's status as a caretaker of a dependent child shall not be admissible as evidence or be determinative in any subsequent proceeding; provide that the defendant shall have the right to present an alternative sentencing plan and a family impact statement to the court; provide that in issuing an alternative sentence, the court may require the defendant to participate in programs and services that support the parent-child relationship; provide that the court may modify or revoke the alternative sentence and commit the defendant to an institution if the defendant fails to adhere to or complete the conditions of an alternative sentence; amend KRS 610.340 to provide that a court determining whether to impose an alternative sentence for a defendant who is a caretaker of a dependent child has access to court records under KRS Chapter 600 to 645; provide that the Act may be cited as the Family Preservation and Accountability Act.

  CURRENT STATUS

1/29/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Judiciary (H)

AN ACT relating to the practice of lactation consultation.

Create new sections of KRS Chapter 314 to define terms; establish the Kentucky Advisory Council of Licensed Lactation Consultants under the Board of Nursing and list the powers and duties of the council; require the board to promulgate administrative regulations relating to licensed lactation consultants; permit the board to require a criminal background investigation of an applicant for a license as a licensed lactation consultant by means of a criminal background check; establish provisions for penalties.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/3/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations (H)

AN ACT relating to an eligible child tax credit.

Create a new section in KRS Chapter 141 to establish a nonrefundable individual income tax credit for an eligible child; define "eligible child"; allow credit for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2027, but before January 1, 2031; establish that the credit amount is equal to $4,000 per eligible child, not to exceed $8,000 per return, per taxable year; amend KRS 141.0205 to order the credit; amend KRS 131.190 to allow the Department of Revenue to report on the credit.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/3/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Appropriations & Revenue (H)

AN ACT relating to outdoor, nature–based early learning and child care programs.

Amend KRS 199.894 to define "outdoor nature-based early learning and child-care program"; create a new section of KRS Chapter 199 to establish the licensure and operations requirements of outdoor nature-based early learning and child-care programs; establish the Outdoor, Nature–Based Early Learning and Child Care Program Advisory Committee; establish the membership and duties of the committee.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/4/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Families & Children (H)

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. HCS (1) The State/Executive Branch Budget: Retain, delete, and add to original provisions; 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. SCS (1) The State/Executive Branch Budget: Retain, delete, and add to original provisions; 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; APPROPRIATION. FCCR (1) The State/Executive Branch Budget: Retain, delete, and add to original provisions; 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; APPROPRIATION.

  CURRENT STATUS

4/14/2026 - delivered to Secretary of State

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)

AN ACT relating to the provision of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and declaring an emergency.

Amend KRS 48.705 to allow the Governor to authorize limited use of moneys in the budget reserve trust fund to provide for the continuity of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program during a lapse in federal appropriations; require repayment of the moneys within 90 days of restoration of federal appropriations; require reporting to the Legislative Research Commission and the State Budget Director; require prior approval of the General Assembly if more than 5% of the total balance of the budget reserve trust fund is used; EMERGENCY.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/5/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Appropriations & Revenue (H)

AN ACT relating to family care leave.

Amend KRS 337.010 to define "committed relationship," "family care leave," "family member," "health care provider," "same employer," and "serious health condition"; create a new section of KRS Chapter 337 to prohibit employers from refusing to grant a qualified employee family care leave; entitle an employee to family care leave for the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child or to take care of a family member and establish parameters; amend KRS 337.990 to establish penalties for violations by any person.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/11/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Economic Development & Workforce Investment (H)

AN ACT relating to preschool education programs.

Amend KRS 157.320 to define "at risk" and "teaming partner"; amend KRS 157.3175 to require each local school district to provide preschool to 4 year olds who reside in a household with an income at or below 160% of the poverty level until the end of the 2030-2031 school year and beginning with the 2031-2032 school year, require each local school district to provide preschool to each 4 year old who is at risk; provide requirements for program guidelines; require the Kentucky Department of Education to establish and maintain a statewide unified data system; create a new section of KRS Chapter 157 to require local school districts to maintain certification from the Head Start director that Head Start is fully utilized; provide penalties; require local school districts to prepare and submit preschool expansion plans to the deparment; require the department to promulgate administrative regulations regarding preschool expansion; require the department to submit a report the the Legislative Research Commission annually regarding preschool expansion.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/12/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Primary and Secondary Education (H)

AN ACT relating to preschool education programs.

Amend KRS 157.320 to define "eligible child" and "teaming partner"; amend KRS 157.3175 to require each local school district to provide preschool to 4 year olds who reside in a household with an income at or below 160% of the poverty level until the end of the 2033-2034 school year, and beginning with the 2034-2035 school year require each local school district to provide preschool to each eligible child; provide requirements for program guidelines; require the Kentucky Department of Education to establish and maintain a statewide unified data system; create a new section of KRS Chapter 157 to require local school districts to maintain certification from the Head Start director that Head Start is fully utilized; provide penalties; require local school districts to prepare and submit preschool expansion plans to the deparment; require the department to promulgate administrative regulations regarding preschool expansion; require the department to submit a report the the Legislative Research Commission annually regarding preschool expansion.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/12/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Primary and Secondary Education (H)

AN ACT relating to commercial surrogacy.

Create new sections of KRS Chapter 199 to define terms; establish that it is unlawful to offer commercial surrogacy services or enter into commercial surrogacy agreements in the Commonwealth or with a resident of the Commonwealth; establish that the penalties established do not apply to altruistic surrogacy, a woman acting as a surrogate, or a child born as a result of a prohibited commercial surrogacy arrangement; amend KRS 199.990 to establish that a violation of the prohibitions regarding commercial surrogacy is a Class D felony for the first offense and a Class C felony for any subsequent offense; establish an additional civil penalty of not less than $10,000 for each violation with continued violations resulting in a forfeiture of the right to do business in this state; establish that any commercial surrogacy agreement is void and unenforceable as against public policy; amend KRS 199.590 to conform; establish that the penalties created shall apply to all contracts or agreements entered into after the effective date of the Act; make technical corrections.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/2/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Judiciary (H)

AN ACT relating to paid leave for state employees.

Create a new section of KRS 18A.005 to 18A.200 to define "child," "family medical leave," "fictive kin," "foster care placement," "kinship care placement," and "parent"; provide classified and unclassified employees family medical leave of up to 6 weeks for the birth or adoption of a child, placement of a child in foster care or kinship care, or a serious health condition that would render the employee unable to perform his or her job functions; require the employee to complete 30 days of service before he or she is eligible for family medical leave; require the leave be used within 1 year of the birth, adoption, foster or kinship care placement, or serious health condition; require any leave which involves the birth of more than 1 child during a particular pregnancy or the adoption or placement of more than 1 child with an employee to be taken concurrently and used as 1 adoption or placement; allow the employee to use the leave as a block or intermittently; allow both parents to use the leave concurrently or consecutively under certain conditions; require the employee to use family medical leave before using any other accrued leave; limit use of family medical leave to 2 times during a 60-month period; provide that once an employee leaves the position eligible for family medical leave, any unused balance shall lapse; require an employee who returns to a position in state service that provides family medical leave to complete 30 days of service before becoming eligible for the leave; prohibit an employee from converting any unused balance of family medical leave to any other type of paid leave, benefit, or compensation; require the employee to submit written verification of the birth, placement of a child, or serious health condition; amend KRS 18A.025 to conform; amend KRS 18A.110 to authorize the secretary of the Personnel Cabinet to promulgate administrative regulations pertaining to the family medical leave program.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/2/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee Interim State Government

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION establishing the Infant Mortality Task Force.

Establish the Infant Mortality Task Force; list duties and members of the task force; require the task force to meet monthly during the 2026 Interim of the General Assembly and to submit a report by December 1, 2026.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/4/2026 - (H) Referred to Committee House Health Services (H)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION establishing the Early Childhood Education Governance and Outcomes Task Force.

Establish the Early Childhood Education Governance and Outcomes Task Force; list the duties and members of the task force; require the task force to meet monthly during the 2026 Interim of the General Assembly and to submit a report by December 1, 2026.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/18/2026 - (H) SECOND READING, to Rules

A JOINT RESOLUTION directing the Auditor of Public Accounts to study the applicable statutes, administrative regulations, and agency policies and processes that directly impact the opening and operation of licensed and certified child care services in the Commonwealth.

Direct the Auditor of Public Accounts to commission a study of applicable statutes, administrative regulations, and agency policies and processes that directly impact opening and operating licensed and certified child care services in the Commonwealth; require the Auditor to procure a vendor to conduct the study; report findings and recommendations of the study to the Legislative Research Commission by December 1, 2027, for referral to the Interim Joint Committee on Families and Children.

  CURRENT STATUS

4/14/2026 - delivered to Secretary of State

AN ACT relating to paid maternity leave for state employees.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 61 to define "full-time position" and "qualifying employee"; permit a qualifying employee paid leave of absence of up to 30 days for the birth of a child; require leave of more than 1 child during a singular pregnancy to be taken concurrently; require the employee to use the leave within one year of the child's birth; require the employee to use the leave as a continuous 30-day block or as a 20-day block with the remainder to be used intermittently as full days; require the employee to request advance approval before using the leave; require the employee to use the paid leave before other types of accrued leave; require compliance with the Family and Medical Leave Act; specify that any other type of leave not specified does not qualify for paid maternity leave; prohibit an employee from converting the unused balance of paid maternity leave to other types of paid leave, benefits, or compensation; require any administrative regulation in conflict with this Act to be amended, withdrawn, or repealed within 90 days of the effective date of the Act.

  CURRENT STATUS

1/6/2026 - Introduced

AN ACT relating to diaper access programs.

Create new sections of KRS Chapter 200 to define terms; establish the Kentucky Diaper Access Board and its functions related to the development of a state plan for the distribution of funds from the Kentucky diaper access trust fund; establish the Kentucky diaper access trust fund and the purposes for which funds are disbursed to diaper access programs in the Commonwealth.

  CURRENT STATUS

1/9/2026 - Introduced

AN ACT relating to evictions during extreme weather conditions.

Create a new section of KRS 383.200 to 383.285 to prohibit evictions of residential tenants during extreme weather conditions; amend KRS 383.245 to conform.

  CURRENT STATUS

1/12/2026 - Introduced

AN ACT relating to forcible entry and detainer.

Create a new section of KRS 383.200 to 383.285 to require expungement of records in forcible detainer actions that are dismissed; allow for the expungement of the name of an unemancipated minor improperly named as a defendant in forcible detainer actions; amend KRS 383.250 to provide for sealing of records; direct that the required expungement of records of dismissed actions applies to forcible detainer actions brought on or after the effective date of the Act.

  CURRENT STATUS

1/13/2026 - Introduced

AN ACT proposing to create a new section of the Constitution of Kentucky relating to Medicaid expansion.

Propose to create a new section of the Constitution of Kentucky to enshrine Medicaid expansion coverage; direct the Secretary of State to advertise the proposed constitutional amendment prior to a general election vote; provide ballot language; submit to voters for ratification or rejection.

  CURRENT STATUS

1/8/2026 - Introduced

AN ACT relating to judicial proceedings.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 533 to define terms; require the court, upon conviction of the defendant, to consider the defendant's status as a caretaker of a dependent child; provide that a court's determination of a defendant's status as a caretaker of a dependent child shall not be admissible as evidence or be determinative in any subsequent proceeding; provide that the defendant shall have the right to present an alternative sentencing plan and a family impact statement to the court; provide that in issuing an alternative sentence, the court may require the defendant to participate in programs and services that support the parent-child relationship; provide that the court may modify or revoke the alternative sentence and commit the defendant to an institution if the defendant fails to adhere to or complete the conditions of an alternative sentence; amend KRS 610.340 to provide that a court determining whether to impose an alternative sentence for a defendant who is a caretaker of a dependent child has access to court records under KRS Chapters 600 to 645; provide that the Act may be cited as the Family Preservation and Accountability Act. SFA (1) Remove original provisions; amend KRS 533.010 to allow a sentencing court to consider if the defendant is a caretaker; establish criteria for the court to consider if a defendant is a caretaker; allow the court to order a defendant to participate in various programs or services. HFA(1) Retain original provisions, except create a new section of KRS Chapter 403 to prohibit the removal from custody or the reduction in parenting time of a party solely for improvement of relationship between the child and the other party where the court has made a finding of domestic violence or abuse; require orders remediating the resistance of a child to contact with a violent or abusive parent to primarily address the behavior of that parent; amend KRS 403.270 to require a court to consider allegations of domestic violence or abuse and make written findings on the record prior to consideration of other factors relevant to determination of custody; add malicious false allegations of child abuse as a factor to be considered in custody determinations; amend KRS 403.290 to require paid visitation supervisors and parenting coordinators in custody proceedings to receive specialized training; amend KRS 403.315 to provide for a rebuttable presumption that joint custody and shared equal parenting time are not in the best interests of the child where the court finds that a party has committed 2 or more acts of domestic violence or abuse against another party; require a parent found to have committed 2 or more acts of domestic violence or abuse against another party to undergo counseling or treatment prior to being awarded custody of a child; allow victim advocates to attend evidentiary hearings in orders of protection proceedings involving minors; allow victim advocates to attend evidentiary hearings on interpersonal orders of protection proceedings involving minors; amend KRS 202A.011 to define "benefit from treatment," "individual with a mental illness," and "serious mental illness"; remove "mentally ill person" and redefine "danger"; amend KRS 202A.028 to allow the county attorney to make a motion for the judge to review the certification of an examination by a qualified mental health professional; require that a person not be involuntarily hospitalized based solely on his or her failure to comply with court ordered conditions; create a new section of KRS Chapter 202A to allow the county attorney to make a motion for the judge to review the certification of an examination by a qualified mental health professional if the respondent is released prior to a preliminary hearing; require that a person not be involuntarily hospitalized based solely on his or her failure to comply with court ordered conditions; amend KRS 202A.051 to allow the county attorney to make a motion prior to the respondent's discharge for the court to order the respondent to participate in court ordered outpatient psychiatric treatment; require that a person not be involuntarily hospitalized based solely on his or her failure to comply with court ordered conditions; amend KRS 202A.053 to allow a court that has ordered a respondent to participate in outpatient psychiatric treatment to transfer the case back to the respondent's county of resident; allow the court to retain venue if the county attorney has filed a certification review hearing; amend KRS 202A.061 to allow the county attorney to make a motion for the judge to review the certification of an examination by a qualified mental health professional; require that a person not be involuntarily hospitalized based solely on his or her failure to comply with court ordered conditions; create new sections of KRS Chapter 202A to require the court to appoint an outpatient provider for every person who is ordered to community-based outpatient treatment; require a multidisciplinary team to regularly monitor a person's adherence to community-based outpatient treatment; allow a court or an authorized staff physician to order a 72-hour emergency admission to a hospital for every person who fails to comply with an order for community-based outpatient treatment; require the court to conduct a review hearing prior to the expiration or request for early release by a hospital of a period of involuntary hospitalization for who have been found incompetent to stand trial within the past 12 months; amend KRS 202A.0819 to allow a court to order a person who is receiving assisted outpatient treatment to comply with any other reasonable conditions; amend KRS 202A.0823 to allow a court to determine if a person should be ordered to receive specific care in line with his or her treatment plan; amend KRS 202A.091 to allow a petitioner who qualifies as a responsible party under KRS 311.631 to participate in an involuntary hospitalization proceeding and receive the respondent's discharge plan; amend KRS 202A.101 to allow a person to be transported to a hospital without a copy of the petition for involuntary hospitalization when a court orders it under KRS 202A.028 and 202A.061; create a new section of KRS Chapter 202A to allow the court to enter consent orders of outpatient treatment upon agreement of the parties; create a new section of KRS Chapter 202A to require the Cabinet for Health and Family Services and the Administrative Office of the Courts to submit an annual report beginning October 1, 2027 to the Legislative Research Commission; including various data points regarding proceedings under KRS Chapter 202A; require the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to provide a report to the Legislative Research Commission regarding services available to individuals receiving treatment under KRS Chapter 202A and 202C; amend KRS 202C.010 to amend the definition of "evidentiary hearing"; amend "individual with a mental illness" and remove "mentally ill person"; amend KRS 202C.020 to establish the duties and pay for the guardian ad litem in a 202C proceeding; amend KRS 202C.030 to extend the date of the evidentiary hearing from 20 to 45 days, unless the court orders a later hearing date for good cause shown; prohibit the respondent from using the insanity defense; amend KRS 202C.040 to extend the date of the commitment hearing from 20 to 45 days, unless the court orders a later hearing date for good cause shown; establish the duties of the guardian ad litem; amend KRS 202C.050 to remove criteria to be committed under this chapter; amend KRS 202C.060 to provide that after the initial standard review hearing, subsequent review hearings shall occur once every 2 years unless a material change has occurred; require competency evaluations to be conducted at least once every 2 years; amend KRS 202C.130 to include notice of motions filed by forensic psychiatric facilities to the Commonwealth and all other parties of record; amend various

  CURRENT STATUS

4/10/2026 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR

AN ACT relating to the provision of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and declaring an emergency.

Amend KRS 48.705 to allow the Governor to authorize limited use of moneys in the budget reserve trust fund to provide for the continuity of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program during a lapse in federal appropriations; require repayment of the moneys within 90 days of restoration of federal appropriations; require reporting to the Legislative Research Commission and the State Budget Director; require prior approval of the General Assembly if more than 5% of the total balance of the budget reserve trust fund is used; EMERGENCY.

  CURRENT STATUS

1/29/2026 - Introduced

AN ACT relating to the protection of children.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 507 to establish the offense of child abuse homicide as a capital offense; amend KRS 199.896 to require licensed child-care centers to maintain video surveillance of all public areas within the facility and retain video footage for 90 days; amend KRS 507.030 to increase the age of a child victim of manslaughter in the first degree from 12 or under to under 18; amend KRS 507.040 to increase the penalty of manslaughter in the second degree from a Class C to a Class B felony if the victim is under the age of 18; amend KRS 508.100 to add knowingly as a mental state of a person guilty of criminal abuse in the first degree; increase the age of a victim from under age 12 to under age 18; increase the penalty of criminal abuse in the first degree from a Class C to a Class B felony and from a Class B to a Class A felony if the victim is under the age of 18; amend KRS 508.110 to increase the age of a victim of criminal abuse in the second degree from age 12 or less to under 18; increase the penalty from a Class D to a Class C felony; amend KRS 508.120 to increase the age of a victim of criminal abuse in the third degree from age 12 or less to under 18; increase the penalty from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class D felony; amend KRS 532.025, relating to aggravating circumstances in death penalty eligible cases, to increase the age of a victim of an intentional killing from under 12 to under 18; amend KRS 625.090 to create a rebuttable presumption that parental rights must be terminated if a parent has been convicted of a felony involving serious physical injury to any child or convicted of causing or contributing to the death of a child as a result of abuse; provide that the Act may be cited as Jayden's Law.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/13/2026 - (S) SECOND READING, to Rules

AN ACT relating to child-care centers and declaring an emergency.

Amend KRS 199.896 to establish standards and factors for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to consider in determining whether to issue a plan of correction, directed plan of correction or suspension or revocation of a child-care license in response to any alleged violation of an administrative regulation by a child-care center; require that a single violation of a directed plan of correction not result in a suspension or revocation of a child-care center's license unless the violation is solely determined to be solely enough to justify the action; permit documentation to be submitted to the cabinet up to 5 business days following a request; require weekly support contacts for a child-care center with a preliminary license; prohibit the cabinet from issuing violations during the probationary period; permit but not require the inspector general, the inspector general's designee, or other cabinet representative, to take actions relating to a child-care center license; make technical corrections; apply provisions of the Act to pending and not yet final actions related to licensed child-care centers, and to all actions that occur on or after the effective date; EMERGENCY. SFA (1) Add cabinet's designee as a provider of child-care center weekly support contacts.

  CURRENT STATUS

4/15/2026 - (H) Posted for Passage in Regular Orders of the Day

AN ACT relating to preschool education programs.

Amend KRS 157.320 to define "eligible child" and "teaming partner"; amend KRS 157.3175 to require each local school district to provide preschool to 4 year olds who reside in a household with an income at or below 160% of the poverty level until the end of the 2033-2034 school year, and beginning with the 2034-2035 school year require each local school district to provide preschool to each eligible child; provide requirements for program guidelines; require the Kentucky Department of Education to establish and maintain a statewide unified data system; create a new section of KRS Chapter 157 to require local school districts to maintain certification from the Head Start director that Head Start is fully utilized; provide penalties; require local school districts to prepare and submit preschool expansion plans to the deparment; require the department to promulgate administrative regulations regarding preschool expansion; require the department to submit a report the the Legislative Research Commission annually regarding preschool expansion.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/5/2026 - Introduced

AN ACT relating to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program eligibility.

Amend KRS 205.178 to permit the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to receive and review monthly wage and salary information, fleeing felon information, and address change information for beneficiaries of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); amend KRS 205.200 to prohibit the Cabinet for Health and Family Services from granting categorical eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for any noncash or in-kind services or other benefits, apply gross income standards higher than federal standards, and exempt households from gross income standards based on categorical eligibility; permit alternate vehicle allowance standards when determining SNAP benefits and eligibility; require the cabinet to recertify SNAP beneficiaries on a specific monthly schedule based on the beneficiaries' status; require SNAP beneficiaries be either a United States citizen, United States national, or an alien under certain qualifying statuses; require SNAP beneficiaries prove their qualifying status to the; require the cabinet to consider the income and financial resources of noneligible household members when determining eligibility and benefit allotment of SNAP benefits.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/17/2026 - Senate Families & Children (S), (Bill Scheduled for Hearing)

AN ACT relating to a sales and use tax exemption for diapers.

Amend KRS 139.010 to define "diaper"; amend KRS 139.480 to exempt all diapers from the sales and use tax.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/26/2026 - Introduced

AN ACT relating to nourishment and choice in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Amend KRS 205.1783 to define terms; require the secretary of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to request a waiver from the United States Department of Agriculture to exclude accessory foods such as candy, soft drinks, and specialty coffee drinks from being purchased using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, also known as SNAP; require the request to be resubmitted as instructed by the General Assembly; require the cabinet to request a waiver from the United States Department of Agriculture to allow the purchase of hot foods utilizing SNAP benefits; require the request be resubmitted as instructed by the General Assembly; specify waiver development and reporting requirements.

  CURRENT STATUS

2/26/2026 - Introduced

AN ACT relating to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training state plan.

Amend KRS 205.2003 to require the cabinet to develop and implement a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as SNAP, Employment and Training state plan amendment to promote specified improved employment outcomes and workforce participation related to healthy workforce habits through public-private partnerships.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/2/2026 - Introduced

A JOINT RESOLUTION directing the Department for Libraries and Archives and the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to cooperate in exploring ways to increase enrollment in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Program.

Direct the Department for Libraries and Archives and the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to cooperate in exploring ways to increase enrollment in Dolly Parton's Imagination Library Program; direct the department and the cabinet to submit a report on the progress of identifying ways of increasing enrollment in the program to the Governor and the Legislative Research Commission by November 1, 2026. SCS (1) Retain original provisions; make technical correction. SFA (3) Add exploring ways to increase enrollment of children from low-income families and children living in foster care.

  CURRENT STATUS

3/20/2026 - (H) SECOND READING, to Rules