Some of the Proposed legislation in Kentucky as of January 15, 2022

These are currently just some of the proposed bills, this is not a complete list.  As of today, there are 305 bills listed in the House and 92 bills listed in the Senate.  You can find the current complete list at https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislation/Pages/default.aspx

The list will be added to during the legislative session.  You can call your legislators and leave a message at the Legislative Message ​​​Line at 1-800-372-7181.

If something is labeled as “Emergency”, it means if it becomes the Law, it goes into effect immediately.

HB=House Bill  SB=Senate Bill

If listed as 1st reading, then a 2nd reading should be read and then voted on

HB 14  AN ACT relating to public education and declaring an emergency.: Amend KRS 158.183 to require a local board of education or board of a public charter school to ensure that no public school or public charter school offers any classroom instruction or discussion that incorporates designated concepts related to race, sex, and religion; provide that a school district employee that violates the prohibition is subject to disciplinary action; authorize the Attorney General to enforce the prohibition; authorize a penalty of $5,000 for each day a violation persists after the Attorney General issues notification that a violation has occurred; require the commissioner of education to deduct the penalty from funds distributed to a school district; create a new section of KRS Chapter 164 to provide that no student enrolled at a public postsecondary education institution shall be required to engage in any form of mandatory gender or sexual diversity training or counseling; title the Act the “Education Non-Discrimination Act”; EMERGENCY.

01/04/22: introduced in House

HB 16 Repeal Sodomy in the 4th degree: Repeal KRS 510.100, relating to sodomy in the fourth degree; amend KRS 194A.380 and 532.031 to conform.

1/4/22 Introduced

HB 19 REQUIRING A SAFE BOATING CERTIFICATE:  Amend KRS 235.285 to require individuals born on or after January 1, 1975, to possess a safe boating certificate prior to operating a personal watercraft or motorboat on the waters of the Commonwealth; provide for exemption certificates; delay enforcement and require courtesy warnings for violations until July 1, 2023; amend KRS 235.990 to conform.

1/4/2022 – Introduced (Pre-Filed)

HB 20 TORTURE OF A DOG OR CAT:  Amend KRS 525.135, relating to torture of a dog or cat, to add specific acts to definition of torture; make all violations a Class D felony; make each act of torture prosecutable as a separate offense; make the exemptions applicable only where there is no intent to cause, increase, or prolong the pain and suffering of the dog or cat.

1/4/2022 – Introduced (Pre-Filed)

HB 32 BIOMETRIC DATA COLLECTION PRACTICES:  Create a new section of KRS Chapter 369 to define terms; require private entities to develop and comply with a retention and destruction schedule for biometric identifiers and information; prohibit private entities’ collection, trade, and disclosure of biometric information with limited exceptions; create a standard of care for private entities collecting biometric information; create a civil cause of action for violations.

1/4/2022 – Introduced (Pre-Filed)

HB 40 REQUIRE ILLUMINATION OF VEHICLE HEADLAMPS WHEN WINDSHEILD WIPERS ARE NECESSARY:

Amend KRS 189.030 to require the illumination of headlamps on motor vehicles during any period of precipitation that necessitates the use of windshield wipers by motorists; specify that there will be a courtesy warning period until January 1, 2023.

1/4/2022 – Introduced (Pre-Filed)

HB 48 PENALTIES FOR FALSE REPORTING RESULTING IN EMERGENCY RESPONSE: Amend KRS 519.010 to add definition of “emergency response”; amend KRS 519.040 to increase the penalties for falsely reporting an incident that results in an emergency response; create a new section of KRS Chapter 41 to provide for a civil cause of action for damages arising from the false reporting of an incident; amend KRS 134.127 to conform.

1/4/2022 – Introduced (Pre-Filed)

HB 54 WORKERS’ COMPENSATION LIABILITY RELATING TO MANDATORY COVID-19 VACCINATION:

Amend KRS 342.0011 to define “COVID-19”; create a new section of KRS Chapter 342 to establish workers’ compensation liability in instances where employers require vaccination against COVID-19 as a condition of employment and the employee develops an adverse reaction to the vaccine; create a rebuttable presumption that an adverse reaction was caused by the COVID-19 vaccine if it was not present prior to and arises within 14 days of receipt of the vaccine; retroactive to December 14, 2020; EMERGENCY.

1/4/2022 – Introduced (Pre-Filed)

HB 56 DEATH BENEFITS FOR FIRST RESPONDERS: Amend KRS 61.315 to create a presumption that first responders who die of COVID-19 do so while in the line of duty and thus qualify for death benefits; apply subsection retroactively; APPROPRIATION; EMERGENCY.

1/13/2022  Schedule for a hearing

HB 58 COVERAGE FOR CHRONIC PAIN TREATMENTS: Create a new section of Subtitle 17A of KRS Chapter 304 to establish that any health benefit plan issued or renewed in the Commonwealth that provides coverage for hospital, medical, or surgical expenses shall include coverage for chronic pain treatments provided by a licensed professional; create a new section of KRS Chapter 205 to require Medicaid and Medicaid managed care organizations to include coverage for chronic pain treatments provided by a licensed professional; amend KRS 218A.172 to require that a health care practitioner discuss and refer or prescribe alternative chronic pain treatments before initially prescribing or dispensing a controlled substance; EFFECTIVE January 1, 2023.

1/4/2022 – Introduced (Pre-Filed)

HB 62 WORKERS’ COMPENSATION LIABILITY RELATING TO MANDATORY COVID-19 VACCINATION:

Amend KRS 342.0011 to define “COVID-19”; create a new section of KRS Chapter 342 to establish workers’ compensation liability in instances where employers require vaccination against COVID-19 as a condition of employment and the employee develops an adverse reaction to the vaccine; create a rebuttable presumption that an adverse reaction was caused by the COVID-19 vaccine if it was not present prior to and arises within 14 days of receipt of the vaccine; retroactive to December 14, 2020; EMERGENCY.

1/4/2022 – Introduced (Pre-Filed)

HB 69 EXTENDING PROVISIONS OF PARAGRAPH 3 OF 2020 EXECUTIVE ORDER 2020-277: Extend the provisions of paragraph 3 of 2020 Executive Order 2020-277, related to temporary disability from occupational exposure to COVID-19 from September 7, 2021, to January 31, 2023; EMERGENCY.

1/13/2022 – taken from Committee on Committees (H), 1st reading, returned to Committee on Committees (H), to State Government (H)

HB 75 HUMAN DNA PRIVACY: Create a new section of KRS Chapter 311 to regulate the collection, use, and transfer of human DNA samples; create penalties for violations of the prohibitions; state the Act shall be known as the Protecting DNA Privacy Act.

1/4/2022 – Introduced (Pre-Filed)

HB 83 UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS: Amend KRS 341.370 to prohibit disqualification from benefits for workers unemployed as a result of domestic violence and abuse, dating violence and abuse, sexual assault, or stalking; amend KRS 341.530 to charge benefits to pooled account for workers displaced from employment through domestic or dating violence and abuse, sexual assault, or stalking; amend KRS 341.125 to require the secretary to provide training to personnel who process claims related to domestic or dating violence and abuse, sexual assault, or stalking and to report to the Legislative Research Commission annually the number of claims paid involving domestic or dating violence and abuse, sexual assault, or stalking; amend KRS 341.360 to conform; amend KRS 341.550 to prevent benefit payments from pooled account from impacting an employer’s experience rating; and create a new section pf KRS Chapter 341 to direct the secretary of the Education and Workforce Development Cabinet to promulgate administrative regulations.

1/4/2022 – Introduced (Pre-Filed)

HB 84 ELIMINATING CERTAIN LIABILITY PROTECTION IN EMERGENCIES: Amend KRS 39A.275 to eliminate certain liability protections if an owner requires employees to receive a vaccination against COVID-19 and an employee suffers a severe adverse reaction as a result.

1/4/2022 – Introduced (Pre-Filed)

HB 92 OPIOID ABATEMENT TRUST FUND: Amend KRS 15.293 to provide that funds received from bankruptcy proceedings shall also be allocated to the Opioid abatement trust fund and local governments; specify that any named defendant in In re National Prescription Opiate Litigation, MDL No. 2804, Case No. 1:17-md-02804, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio is to be included as well.

1/4/2022 – Introduced (Pre-Filed)

HB 94 EMERGENCY ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION IN SCHOOLS : Amend KRS 158.838 to include naloxone among the medications each school shall have an employee trained to administer or to assist with self-administration; require training for naloxone; make conforming changes.

1/4/2022 – Introduced (Pre-Filed)

HB 112 CIVIL LIBERTIES OF PARENTS AND CHILDREN RELATING TO COVID-19 VACCINATION: Create new section of KRS Chapter 214 to define “child”; prohibit required or coerced COVID-19 vaccination of a child without the consent of all parents, custodians, and guardians; prohibit retaliation, additional requirements, limitation of activity, or reduction in health care benefit for a child not vaccinated for COVID-19; authorize legal action and civil penalties for violations; EMERGENCY.

1/4/2022 – Introduced (Pre-Filed)

HB 118 DISABLED PERSONS: Amend KRS 387.350, relating to determination of disability and appointment of a guardian or conservator, to create additional requirements for petition; amend KRS 387.580 to add specific findings to be made at a hearing; amend KRS 387.600 to make recognition of the respondent’s power of attorney discretionary; amend KRS 387.610 to reduce duration of a renewed appointment; amend KRS 387.620 to clarify procedure for an informal request; require jury trials to modify an order; specify that an order may include visitation arrangements and limitation of the ward’s ability to enter into a contract; amend KRS 387.640 and 387.660 to specify duties of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services if that cabinet is a guardian or limited guardian; create a new section of KRS Chapter 387 to require the attorney for the respondent in a hearing to determine whether legal actions are in effect and to inform the respondent of his or her right to petition for modification.

1/4/2022 – Introduced (Pre-Filed)

HB 123 AN ACT relating to public contracts.: Create a new section of KRS 45A.343 to 45A.460 to prohibit a governmental body or political subdivision of this state from entering into contracts valued at or above $100,000 with a company that has ten or more employees and discriminates against firearm entities or firearm trade associations; set forth what does and does not constitute discrimination; exempt sole proprietorships.

01/04/22: introduced in House

HB 130 FREEDOM OF SPEECH AT PUBLIC POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS: Amend KRS 164.348 to define “institution,” “public,” and “staff”; require an institution to adopt a policy to not restrict off-campus speech; extend free speech protections to staff and the public; provide that student religious and political organizations shall be afforded equal access to facilities; provide that authority vested with a student organization to distribute student organization funding shall be contingent on viewpoint-neutral distribution of those funds; provide that there shall be no buffer zones to outdoor areas used as traditional public forums; reduce institution’s authority to establish permit requirements; specify how an institution defines student-on-student harassment; waive immunity for claims brought under the Act; permit disciplinary action against a faculty member or administrator that knowingly and intentionally restricts the protected speech of another; suspend the distribution authority of a student organization that does not distribute student organization funding in accordance with the Act; prohibit retaliation against campus community members; require Council on Postsecondary Education to develop free speech instructional materials and model trainings for institutions; require institutions to present free speech instructional materials and trainings to designated individuals; require institutions to publish semiannual student organization funding reports; designate the required contents of the semiannual student organization funding report.

1/4/2022 Introduced in the House

HB 136 MEDICINAL CANNABIS: Create various new sections of KRS 218A to define terms and establish a medicinal cannabis program; create a new section of KRS Chapter 138 to establish an excise tax on certain transfers of medicinal cannabis; amend KRS 139.470 to exempt the sale of medical cannabis from the state sales tax; amend KRS 138.870 to exempt medicinal cannabis from the excise tax on controlled substances; amend KRS 216B.402 to require hospital emergency departments to report cases of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome to the Department for Public Health; amend KRS 218A.010, 218A.1421, 218A.1422, and 218A.1423 to conform; amend KRS 218A.202 to require the Department for Public Health to utilize the electronic system for monitoring controlled substances to monitor medicinal cannabis; amend 218A.500 to conform; amend KRS 342.815 to establish that the Employer’s Mutual Insurance Authority shall not be required to provide coverage to an employer if doing so would subject the authority to a violation of state or federal law; some sections EFFECTIVE July 1, 2023; APPROPRIATION.

1/13/2022 floor amendment (1) filed (to add post-traumatic stress disorder to the list of qualifying medical conditions)

HB 142 CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES: Amend KRS 218A.010 to define “kratom”; amend KRS 218A.1412 to include kratom to the list of controlled substances that are unlawful to traffic; amend KRS 218A.1415 to include kratom in the list of controlled substances that are unlawful for a person to possess.

1/4/2022 – Introduced in House

HB 151: ESTABLISH NEW TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES: Amend KRS 205.590 to establish a new technical advisory committee on emergency medical services consisting of members representing the air medical industry, the Kentucky Board of Emergency Services, emergency medical services billing industry, and ground ambulance providers.

1/4/2022 – Introduced in House

HB 152 RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF LANDLORDS AND TENANTS TO A RESIDENTIAL LEASE:  Repeal and reenact various sections of KRS Chapter 383 to update the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; create new sections of KRS Chapter 383 to conform; amend KRS 383.715 to conform; repeal KRS 383.300, 303.302, 383.500, 383.505, 383.515, 383.525, 383.540, 383.580, 383.620, and 383.665.

1/4/2022 – Introduced in House

HB 154  DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE: Amend KRS 189A.010 to remove the penalty enhancement for refusal of a blood test; amend KRS 189A.104 to remove blood tests from the list of alcohol or substance tests that are subject to enhancement of penalties; amend KRS 189A.105 to remove the limitations for obtaining a search warrant for a blood test and provide that a refusal of a blood test will not result in the enhancement of any criminal penalty; amend KRS 189A.107 to describe that the refusal of a blood, breath, or urine test will subject a person to license suspension; amend KRS 189A.110 to include an alcohol concentration reading of 0.15 percent as a qualifying result for the minimum four hour detention requirement; EMERGENCY.

1/4/2022 – Introduced (Pre-Filed)

HB 156 WRONGFUL CONVICTION COMPENSATION: Create a new section of KRS Chapter 411 to establish a cause of action for a person who was wrongfully convicted of a felony in the Commonwealth; create a new section of KRS Chapter 23A to establish a new 10 dollar fee to be assessed in criminal cases; create a new section of KRS Chapter 24A to establish a new 10 dollar fee to be assessed in criminal cases; create a new section of KRS Chapter 411 to establish the wrongful conviction compensation fund; amend KRS 141.019 to exclude funds received from the wrongful conviction compensation fund from adjusted gross income.

1/4/2022 – Introduced in House

HB 157 GRANDPARENT VISITATION RIGHTS:  Amend KRS 405.021 to establish that grandparent visitation rights are not adversely affected by any investigation related to abuse, neglect, dependency of a child, or termination of parental rights of the grandparent’s son or daughter who is the father or mother of the child visited by the grandparent, unless the Circuit Court determines that it is in the best interest of the child to do so.

1/4/2022 – Introduced in House

HB 158 PROHIBIT ENFORCEMENT OF FEDERAL LAWS THAT LIMIT FIREARM OWNERSHIP: Create a new section of KRS Chapter 527 to define terms; prohibit an identified entity from enforcing, or assisting in the enforcement of, any federal law that does not exist under the laws of Kentucky and limits firearm ownership; create a Class B misdemeanor with enhancement for subsequent offenses for any government official who violates the prohibition; grant authority to the Attorney General to file a civil action in Circuit Court to enforce the prohibition; permit citizens to file complaints with the Attorney General for violations of the prohibition. Make federal agents subject to arrest for enforcing prohibition; or attempting to arrest local or state officials; provide that the Act may be cited as the Kentucky Second Amendment Preservation Act; EMERGENCY.

1/4/2022 – Introduced in House

HB 159 ACTIONS FOR FORCIBLE ENTRY AND DETAINER:  (evictions) Create new section of KRS Chapter 383 to provide automatic expungement of records in actions for forcible entry and detainer; amend KRS 383.250 to provide for sealing of records.

1/4/2022 – Introduced in House

HB 160 SPECIFY DUTIES OF LANDLORD WITH RESPECT TO ABANDONED PERSONAL PROPERTY: Amend KRS 383.020 to specify duties of landlord with respect to abandoned personal property.

1/4/2022 – Introduced in House

HB 162 WORKERS’ COMPENSATION: Amend KRS 342.020 to require an employer to pay for medical benefits at the time of injury and thereafter during disability instead of 780 weeks; amend KRS 342.990 to conform.

1/4/2022 – Introduced in House

HB 165 OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE CLAIMS: Amend KRS 342.125 to remove the requirement that an affected employee previously diagnosed with occupational pneumoconiosis resulting from exposure to coal dust must have an additional two years of employment in the Commonwealth wherein the employee was continuously exposed to the hazards of the disease in order to reopen a claim.

1/4/2022 – Introduced in House

HB 168 ELECTIONS: Establish new chapter KRS Chapter 118C and create new sections of chapter to establish a system of electing the offices of Commonwealth’s attorney, circuit clerk, county attorney, county clerk, sheriff, jailer, and coroner under a nonpartisan system; amend KRS 118.215, 118.315, 118.225, 118.325, and 118.115 to conform; EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2023.

1/4/2022 – Introduced in House

HB 170  SETTLEMENTS INVOLVING MINORS:  Create a new section of KRS 387.010 to 387.280 to establish a new procedure for legal settlements with a minor when the amount of the settlement is $25,000 or less; amend KRS 387.280 to conform.

1/4/2022 – Introduced in House

HB 179 DISTRICTS OF THE SUPREME COURT:  Amend KRS 21A.010 to divide the Commonwealth into the following Supreme Court Districts: DISTRICT 1 – Ballard, Caldwell, Calloway, Carlisle, Christian, Crittenden, Daviess, Fulton, Graves, Hancock, Henderson, Hickman, Hopkins, Livingston, Lyon, Marshall, McCracken, McLean, Muhlenberg, Ohio, Todd, Trigg, Union, and Webster Counties; DISTRICT 2 – Allen, Barren, Breckinridge, Bullitt, Butler, Edmonson, Grayson, Hardin, Hart, Larue, Logan, Meade, Monroe, Simpson, Spencer, and Warren Counties; DISTRICT 3 – Adair, Anderson, Bell, Boyle, Casey, Clinton, Cumberland, Garrard, Green, Harlan, Knox, Laurel, Lincoln, Marion, McCreary, Mercer, Metcalfe, Nelson, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Russell, Taylor, Washington, Wayne, and Whitley Counties; DISTRICT 4 – Jefferson County; DISTRICT 5 – Bourbon, Clark, Fayette, Franklin, Jessamine, Madison, Scott, and Woodford Counties; DISTRICT 6 – Boone, Bracken, Campbell, Carroll, Gallatin, Grant, Henry, Kenton, Oldham, Owen, Pendleton, Shelby, and Trimble Counties; DISTRICT 7 – Bath, Boyd, Breathitt, Carter, Clay, Elliott, Estill, Fleming, Floyd, Greenup, Harrison, Jackson, Johnson, Knott, Lawrence, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Lewis, Magoffin, Martin, Mason, Menifee, Montgomery, Morgan, Nicholas, Owsley, Perry, Pike, Powell, Robertson, Rowan, and Wolfe Counties; EMERGENCY.
House Floor Amendment 1: Remove Hancock County and Ohio County from the First Supreme Court District and into the Second Supreme Court District; and remove Logan County from the Second Supreme Court District and into the First Supreme Court District.
House Floor Amendment 2: Effective for the 2022 primary and for no other election, extend the filing deadline for candidates filing for the Kentucky Supreme Court and the Kentucky Court of Appeals to January 25, 2022; permit the Secretary of State or the county clerk, as appropriate, to determine when the drawing for ballot positions and certificates will be held; and permit the Secretary of State or the county clerk, as appropriate, to establish any other necessary election deadlines for the 2022 primary, excluding the date of the primary.
Senate Committee Substitute 1: Retain original provisions and extend applicability of filing of nomination papers to candidates in the Fourth Supreme Court District; EMERGENCY.

1/8/2022 – delivered to Governor

HB 180 SAFETY OF CANINES AND FELINES: Create a new section of KRS Chapter 411 to provide civil immunity for damaging a vehicle if a person enters the vehicle with the reasonable, good-faith belief that a dog or cat is in immediate danger of death if not removed.

1/4/2022 – Introduced

HB 185  DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE:  Amend KRS 189A.085 to allow the court to order a peace officer to seize a license plate from a person who is convicted of KRS 189A.010.

1/4/2022 – Introduced

HB 195 NATURAL GAS TRANSMISSION PIPELINE LOCATION NOTIFICATION: Create a new section of KRS 100.273 to 100.292 to define “natural gas transmission pipeline,” “operator”, and “person”; limit the application of the section to cities and counties that have adopted the provisions of KRS Chapter 100 and to preliminary development plans filed on or after the effective date of the Act; establish notification requirements for developers that are locating developments within 660 feet of natural gas transmission pipelines; require a notified pipeline operator to provide pipeline location information to the developer; require the developer to include language on the final plat filed with the planning commission stating that the developer has utilized reasonable means to notify the pipeline operator and verify the pipeline location; require planning commissions to gather raw National Pipeline Mapping System geospatial data within 60 days of the effective date of the Act; exempt planning commissions from liability for development approval if it is based on the geospatial information they obtain; require pipeline operators to file the names of their registered agents with planning commissions of jurisdiction no later than August 15, 2022; prohibit planning commissions from issuing final approval for developments until the requirements of the Act have been satisfied; exempt planning commissions from liability for development approval if it is based on the information required to be submitted under the Act; provide that the Act shall not exempt developers or operators from the requirements of the Underground Facility Damage Protection Act of 1994, KRS 367.4901 to 367.4917.

1/13/22 Scheduled for a hearing

HB 196 SWIMMING POOL OPERATIONAL STANDARDS: Create a new section of KRS Chapter 212 to define terms; establish requirements for residential swimming pool barriers, gates, and covers; establish exemptions of the residential swimming pool requirements; amend KRS 212.990 create penalties for violation of residential swimming pool requirement; provide that the Act may be cited as the Ava Grace Jenkins Law.

1/4/22 Introduced

HB 205 LEAVE FROM EMPLOYMENT:  Amend KRS 337.415, relating to court-ordered appearances by employees, to prohibit employers from discharging or retaliating against an employee who is a crime victim when the employee takes leave to attend proceedings associated with a 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, and failing to maintain confidentiality; define terms; amend KRS 337.990 to establish penalties in the case of violation by employer. 

1/5/2022 – Introduced

 
HB 207 MINIMUM SECURITY REQUIREMENTS FOR ALCOHOL ESTABLISHMENTS: Create new sections of KRS Chapter 244 to define terms; establish pre-employment requirements for bouncers; create bouncer training standards; establish agency oversight; prevent confusion as to whether a law enforcement officer is on or off duty; amend KRS 244.120 to prohibit consumption of alcohol by a bouncer during work hours; amend KRS 243.500 to allow revocation or suspension of a license for failure to comply with bouncer restrictions; cite this Act as Christopher’s Law; EFFECTIVE January 1, 2023. 1/5/2022 – Introduced
HB 210  Peer to Peer Car Sharing 1/13/22 Withdrawn

HB 214  JUDICIAL DISTRICS AND CIRCUITS:  Amend KRS 23A.020 to move Edmonson County from the 38th Judicial Circuit into the 8th Judicial Circuit; amend KRS 23A.040 (Effective January 2, 2023) to add the 56th Judicial Circuit to the list of judicial circuits with 2 Circuit Judges; amend KRS 23A.045 (Effective January 2, 2023) to remove the 3rd, 6th, 14th, and 27th Judicial Circuits from the list of judicial circuits with 3 Circuit Judges; amend KRS 23A.050 to add the 3rd, 6th, 14th, and 27th Judicial Circuits to the list of judicial circuits with 4 Circuit Judges; create KRS 23A.052 to establish that the 8th and 25th Judicial Circuits shall be entitled to 5 Circuit Judges; amend KRS 23A.055 to establish that the 16th Judicial Circuit shall be entitled to 6 Circuit Judges; amend KRS 24A.030 (Effective January 2, 2023) to move Edmonson County from the 38th Judicial District into the 8th Judicial District, move Russell and Wayne Counties from the 40th Judicial District into the 57th Judicial District, move Nelson County from the 57th Judicial District into the 58th Judicial District, move Cumberland and Monroe Counties from the 59th Judicial District into the 40th Judicial District, move Marshall County from the 58th Judicial District into the 42nd Judicial District, and eliminate the 59th Judicial District; amend KRS 24A.050 to remove the 4th, 31st, 38th, 41st, and 51st Districts from the list of Judicial Districts with 2 District Judges; amend KRS 24A.090 to remove 1 District Court division of the 16th Judicial District; request that the Circuit Court Judges added under KRS 23A.050 in the 3rd, 6th, 14th, 16th, and 27th Judicial Circuits be designated as family court divisions with an effective date of January 2, 2023; request that the District Court judgeships eliminated in the 4th, 13th, 31st, 41st, 51st, and the realignment of the Judicial Districts take effect January 1, 2027, unless a vacancy occurs earlier; provide transitional language; EFFECTIVE in part January 2, 2023, and January 1, 2027; EMERGENCY.

1/5/2022 – Introduced

  HB 215 CRIMES AND PUNISHMENTS: Amend KRS 218A.1410, 218A.1412, and 218A.142 to enhance the penalty for importing or trafficking carfentanil, fentanyl, or fentanyl derivatives from a minimum of 50 percent of the sentence served to a minimum of 85 percent of the sentence served and establish prohibition against the use of pretrial diversion for those criminal offenses. 1/11/22 Referred to Committee House Judiciary (H)  
HB 216 CRIMES AND PUNISHMENTS: Amend KRS 508.075 to include domestic violence shelters as a covered location for terroristic threatening in the first degree. 1/5/2022 – Introduced  
HB 217 INVOLUNTARY TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS: Amend KRS 625.090 to include petitions filed under KRS 625.050 as information to be considered by the court in an involuntary termination of parental rights action. 1/5/2022 – Introduced
HB 218 EXPUNGEMENT: Amend KRS 431.073 to reduce fees and waiting period for felony expungement; amend KRS 431.076 to reduce the waiting period for expungement of record of acquitted or dismissed charge; amend KRS 431.078 to reduce fees and waiting period for misdemeanor, violation, and infraction expungement; repeal KRS 431.0795. 1/5/2022 – Introduced
HB 220 INTIMIDATION OF A SPORTS OFFICIAL: Create a new section of KRS Chapter 518 to create the crime of intimidation of a sports official as a Class A misdemeanor. 1/5/22 Introduced
  HB 221 SCHOOL BUS SAFETY: Create new sections of KRS Chapter 67 to define “owner,” “code enforcement board,” “county,” “camera monitoring system,” “recorded images,” and “stop arm camera violation”; permit the legislative body of a county to enact an ordinance to authorize the use of camera monitoring systems by a local school district and permit the enforcement of a civil penalty for a stop arm camera violation recorded by a camera monitoring system; permit the legislative body of a county to enter into an interlocal agreement to implement and enforce such ordinances; provide that a legislative body shall set the amount of the civil penalty; provide that the revenue generated from a civil penalty shall be retained by the county; require specific notice for a stop arm camera violation; require the legislative body of a county to designate a form for a stop arm camera violation; establish defenses to a stop arm camera violation; define the procedures for a contest to a stop arm camera violation; require a recipient of a stop arm camera violation to pay or contest the violation within 60 days; allow for suspension of registration for failure to pay a fine; require a county to notify the Transportation Cabinet of the need to release a suspension within one business day of payment; amend KRS 189.990 to increase the maximum fine from $200 to $300 for the first offense of failing to stop for a school bus or church bus that is receiving or discharging passengers; amend KRS 189.370 to require traffic in the opposite direction of a school bus to stop for a school bus on highways that are not divided by a raised barrier or unpaved median. 1/5/2022 – Introduced  

HB 222 EXERCISE OF A PERSON’S CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS: Create new sections of KRS Chapter 454 to provide definitions and establish procedures for dismissing legal actions filed in response to a party’s exercise of free speech, right to petition, or right to association; allow for an immediate appeal as a matter of right; allow for costs to be awarded to the moving party if dismissal is granted; allow for costs to be awarded to responding party if the motion was found to be frivolous or filed with the intent to delay; provide that this Act may be cited as the Uniform Public Expression Protection Act.

1/5/2022 – Introduced

  HB 223 Hate Crimes 1/8/22 Withdrawn  
HB 224 CANNABIS: Create a new section of KRS Chapter 218A to make possession of a personal use quantity of cannabis exempt from civil or criminal penalty; amend KRS 218A.010 to define “cannabis,” “personal use quantity of cannabis,” and “cannabis accessory”; amend KRS 218A.1422 regarding cannabis possession to conform; amend KRS 218A.1423 regarding cannabis cultivation to conform; amend KRS 218A.500 regarding drug paraphernalia to exempt personal use cannabis accessories; amend KRS 218A.1421 on cannabis trafficking to exempt personal use quantities; amend KRS 138.872 to exclude personal use quantities from cannabis stamp tax; amend KRS 218A.410 and 533.030 to conform; create a new section of KRS Chapter 431 to allow expungement of certain convictions relating to cannabis. 1/5/2022 – Introduced  
HB 225 NEW SECTION OF THE CONSTITUTION OF KENTUCKY RELATING TO POSSESSION OF CANNABIS: Propose to create a new section of the Kentucky Constitution to guarantee the right of an individual 21 years of age or older to possess, use, buy or sell one ounce or less of cannabis and to cultivate, harvest, and store up to 5 cannabis plants for personal use; and for the production, processing, and sale of cannabis and cannabis-derived products to be controlled by the General Assembly; specify the question to be printed on the ballot; direct the Secretary of State to publish the proposed amendment in a newspaper of general circulation; direct the Secretary of State to certify the proposed amendment to the county clerk of each county. 1/5/2022 – Introduced
HB 253 AN ACT relating to children’s health. Create new sections of KRS Chapter 311 to prohibit the provision of or referral for gender transition procedures to any child under the age of 18 years; define a violation as unprofessional conduct and acting recklessly for purposes of tort claims; permit an action on a violation to be taken by the parent or guardian of the child before the child attains the age of 18 years and by the child within 30 years of the child attaining the age of 18 years, with exceptions under which the time may be longer; require conditions for actions and damages; prohibit public funds to be used for the provision of or referral for gender transition procedures to a child under the age of 18 years; prohibit health care services provided under state, local, or county government to include gender transition procedures to a child under the age of 18 years; prohibit tax exemption for gender transition procedures; permit the Attorney General to bring action to enforce provisions; permit members of the General Assembly to intervene as a matter of right if these provisions are challenged; create a new section of KRS Chapter 205 to prohibit Medicaid coverage of gender transition procedures for a child under the age of 18 years; create a new section of KRS Chapter 304.17A to prohibit health benefit plan coverage for gender transition procedures for a child under the age of 18 years and any requirement for coverage of gender transition procedures; amend KRS 141.019 and 141.039 to prohibit tax exemption for gender transition procedures; EFFECTIVE January 1, 2023. 01/08/22: to Committee on Committees (H)

HB 256 UNAUTHORIZED PRACTICE OF LAW:  Amend KRS 524.130 to increase the class of the crime of the unauthorized practice of law from a Class B misdemeanor for the first offense to a Class A misdemeanor, and establish each subsequent offense as a Class D felony.

1/13/22 2nd reading, To Rules, posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day of Tuesday, January 18, 2022

  HB 262 INCEST :  Amend KRS 530.020 to specify the family relationships covered in the statute; to specify that a person who does not consent to incest is a victim; make changes to the enhancement requirements. 1/10/2022 – Introduced   
HB 263 CRIMINAL ABUSE: Amend KRS 508.100 to increase penalties if the victim is under 12 years of age. 1/10/2022 – Introduced
  HB 265 MENTAL ILLNESS: Amend KRS 532.130, 532.135, and 532.140 to add a diagnosis of serious mental illness to the disabilities which prevent execution for persons convicted of capital offenses. 1/11/22 withdrawn
HB 269  MENTAL ILLNESS: Amend KRS 532.130, 532.135, and 532.140 to add a diagnosis of serious mental illness to the disabilities which prevent execution for persons convicted of capital offenses. 1/11/22 Introduced  
SB 31 PRETRIAL RELEASE: Amend KRS 431.066 and 431.520 to require that conditions of pretrial release for a person released on an unsecured bond be the least restrictive to reasonably mitigate the risk of flight or danger to others. 1/6/2022 – (S) Referred to Committee Senate Judiciary (S)  
 

SB 32 JUDICIAL FORM RETIREMENT SYSTEM: Amend KRS 21.525 to define the funding components for the retirement plans administered by the Judicial Form Retirement System as the “normal cost contribution” and the “actuarially accrued liability contribution;” establish the actuarial methods to be used to compute the normal cost contribution and the actuarially accrued liability (AAL) contribution; require the total unfunded AAL be amortized over a closed 20-year period beginning with the 2023 actuarial valuation; require any increase or decrease in the unfunded AAL occurring after completion of the 2023 actuarial valuation be amortized over a closed 20-year period beginning in the year the increase or decrease is recognized; establish the circumstances that may result in an increase or decrease to the unfunded AAL; provide that if an annual valuation determines that the plan has surplus assets, the prior bases under which the unfunded AAL increases were established be eliminated, and one base equal to the surplus assets be established and amortized under an open 20-year period; amend KRS 21.540 to require that the authorization for all administrative expenses of the JFRS be included in the biennial budget unit request, branch budget recommendation, and the financial plan adopted by the General Assembly; repeal, reenact, and amend KRS 6.505, 6.518, 6.520, 6.525, 21.360, 21.385, 21.402, and 21.480 to remove language that was voided due to a court ruling and to restore prior statute language and to make technical changes.

1/6/2022 – (S) Referred to Committee Senate State & Local Government (S)

  SB 11 LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES: Amend KRS 194A.700 to delete, amend, and add definitions; amend KRS 194A.703 to replace “client” with “resident” and to include requirements for living units in a dementia care unit; amend KRS 194A.705 to allow assisted living communities to provide additional services; amend KRS 194A.707 to change the administrative procedure process of assisted living communities, to add a biennial review process, and to change the certification process to a licensure process; amend KRS 194A.709 to remove the requirement of reporting to the Division of Health Care and to make technical language changes; amend KRS 194A.711 to revise the criteria to be met by residents in an assisted living community; amend KRS 194A.717 to include staffing needs pursuant to an assisted living community’s service plan; amend KRS 194A.719 to require orientation education prior to independently working with residents; amend KRS 194A.727 to clarify which businesses can be licensed as an assisted living community; create multiple new sections of KRS 194A.700 to 194A.729 to provide requirements for the cabinet to consider when an applicant is seeking a license as an assisted living community with dementia care; for when a licensee chooses to voluntary relinquishment of a license as an assisted living community with dementia care; to list the responsibilities of an assisted living community with dementia care; to require continuing education training for assisted living managers of an assisted living community with dementia care; to require assisted living communities with dementia care to develop and implement additional policies; to provide staffing requirements for individuals employed in assisted living communities with dementia care; to include additional services an assisted living community with dementia care must provide; to list training requirements for staff working in dementia care units; to establish two categories of licensure for assisted living communities and to require assisted living communities to obtain a license from the cabinet to operate as a dementia care unit; to allow licensed personal care homes, under specific circumstances, to be licensed as an assisted living community or assisted living community with dementia care; to establish the rules for fines and violations of an assisted living community; amend KRS 216.510 and 216.535 to expand the definition of “long-term care facilities” to include assisted living communities; amend KRS 216.535 to amend the definition of “long-term care ombudsman” to exclude assisted living communities; amend KRS 216.530 to amend the inspection period for assisted living communities, personal care homes, and specialized personal care homes; amend KRS 216.557 to exclude assisted living communities from receiving citations as type A or type B violations; amend KRS 216.515, 216.560, 216.563, 216.565, 216.577, 216A.030, and 218A.180 to exclude assisted living communities; amend KRS 216.765 to require a specific medical examination in the admission into assisted living communities; amend KRS 216.573 to broaden the cabinet’s power to institute injunctive proceedings; create a new section of KRS Chapter 216 to create new definitions; to establish rules for residence in a personal care home or a specialized personal care home; to allow a personal care home or specialized personal care to provide additional services in certain situations; to establish staffing requirements in personal care homes or specialized personal care homes; to require the cabinet to promulgate administrative regulations to regulate an initial and biennial licensure review process and to establish additional procedures; and to allow the cabinet to request information and to conduct on-site visits; amend KRS 216B.015 to expand the definition of “health facility”; amend KRS 216B.155 to add the exemption of assisted living communities from specific standard requirements; amend KRS 216B.160 to allow a manager’s designee in an assisted living community to conduct an ongoing assessment; amend various sections of KRS Chapter 194A and KRS 216.595 to make technical corrections and changes; repeal KRS 194A.723 and 194A.724. 1/13/2022 – (S) SECOND READING, to Rules
SB 20 AN ACT relating to legislative redistricting challenges and declaring an emergency. Amend KRS 5.005 to establish that an action challenging the constitutionality of any created legislative district shall be filed in the Circuit Court of the plaintiff’s residence; EMERGENCY. 01/08/22: delivered to Governor
SB 24 AN ACT relating to firearms: Amend KRS 16.220 to require the destruction of confiscated firearms; amend various sections to conform. 01/04/22: to Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection (S)
SB 28 AN ACT relating to water rates.: AN ACT relating to water rates. 01/06/22: to Natural Resources & Energy (S)
SB 31  PRETRIAL RELEASE: Amend KRS 431.066 and 431.520 to require that conditions of pretrial release for a person released on an unsecured bond be the least restrictive to reasonably mitigate the risk of flight or danger to others. 1/6/22 Referred to Committee Senate Judiciary (S)
SB 33 EXPUNGEMENT: Amend KRS 431.078 to specify time periods for eligibility of enhanceable offenses. 1/6/2022 – (S) Referred to Committee Senate Judiciary (S)
SB36 AN ACT relating to health disparity impacts.: Create a new section of KRS Chapter 6 to define “health disparity impact” and “health disparity impact review”; require Legislative Research Commission staff to identify a bill, amendment, or committee substitute that may result in a health disparity impact and notify the sponsor and the Cabinet for Health and Family Services; require the cabinet to determine if a health disparity impact review is necessary, notify the Legislative Research Commission, and complete the review if appropriate; require other state agencies to provide requested information for the review; permit a new review to be requested if there is an amendment or committee substitute; require any bill, amendment, or committee substitute that requires a review to have a completed review before a vote is taken; permit a majority of members of the Senate or House of Representatives to request a review; permit a majority of members of any standing committee to request a review; require reviews to include information on any health disparity impact and be completed within thirty days; require the cabinet to create a form to be used to complete the review. 01/10/22: to Health & Welfare (S)
SB 38 INCEST:  Amend KRS 439.3401 to include incest, as defined in KRS 530.020, as a qualifying crime for designation of a “violent offender”. 1/8/2022 – (S) Referred to Committee Senate Judiciary (S)   SB 40 RIGHTS OF PARENTS: Create a new section of KRS Chapter 405 to establish findings of the General Assembly related to rights and interests of parents; create a new section of KRS Chapter 405 to establish a definition of “parent” and specific rights of parents; establish a short title of “Parents’ Rights Protection Act.” 1/8/2022 – (S) Referred to Committee Senate Judiciary (S)
SB 44 PUBLIC SAFETY: Amend KRS 500.080 to define “emergency services personnel,” “firework,” and “riot”; amend KRS 503.055 to allow a person to use defensive force; create a new section of KRS Chapter 532 to provide enhanced term of imprisonment for any defendant convicted of crimes committed during the course of a riot; create a new section of KRS Chapter 431 to restrict when a person shall be released after an arrest for a violation of an offense of during the course of a riot; amend KRS 508.025, 520.090, 525.015, and 525.140 to provide enhanced penalties for violations of these offenses during the course of a riot; create a new section of KRS Chapter 511 to create the crime of unlawful camping on property owned by the Commonwealth; amend KRS 508.025, 508.030, 525.020, 525.030, and 525.060 to provide additional elements; amend KRS 439.3401 to add violations of KRS 508.020 and 508.025 committed during the course of a riot to the definition of violent offender; amend KRS 532.032 to require restitution be ordered in all cases where a person committed a crime during the course of a riot; create a new section of KRS Chapter 15 to state legislative findings and declarations; amend KRS 411.100 to require gross negligence for a cause of action for property damaged by riotous or tumultuous assemblage of people that a local government could have prevented; amend KRS 61.912, 61.914, 61.168, 525.010, 532.100, and 525.200 to make conforming changes; state the Act may be cited as the Community and First Responder Protection Act. 1/8/2022 – (S) Referred to Committee Senate Judiciary (S)
SB 47 ABOLITION OF THE DEATH PENALTY: Create a new section of KRS Chapter 532 to abolish the death penalty and replace it with life imprisonment without parole for inmates presently sentenced to death; amend KRS 532.030, to remove the death penalty; amend KRS 640.040, to prohibit life imprisonment without benefit of parole for a juvenile offender convicted of a capital offense; amend KRS 422.285, 532.050, 532.100, and 533.010 to conform; repeal KRS 431.213, 431.2135, 431.218, 431.220, 431.223, 431.224, 431.240, 431.250, 431.260, 431.270, 507A.060, 532.025, 532.075, 532.130, 532.135, 532.140, 532.300, 532.305, and 532.309. 1/8/2022 – (S) Referred to Committee Senate Judiciary (S)
SB 51 AN ACT relating to deceptive lawsuit advertising and solicitation practices.: Creates new sections of KRS Chapter 367 to regulate advertising for legal services. 01/10/22: to Economic Development, Tourism, & Labor (S)
SB 74 AN ACT relating to juvenile justice.: Amend KRS 610.030 to require a court referral for truancy cases when there is no improvement within 30 days; require a court-designated worker to make a finding if diversion is failed due to lack of parental cooperation; allow a court to refer cases back to the court-designated worker and order parental cooperation; amend KRS 610.265 to require children charged with serious felony offenses to be detained pending a detention hearing; amend KRS 610.340 to provide that confidentiality does not apply to cases in which a child has admitted to or been adjudicated for a violent felony offense; amend KRS 635.060 to require a juvenile’s probationary period to remain open until any violations are resolved, if a violation is pending at the time of completion. 01/12/22: to Judiciary (S)
SB 81 AN ACT relating to jails. Amend KRS 431.215 to provide that the state pays a fee to counties for lodging prisoners judged guilty of death or confinement to the penitentiary beginning on the date the prisoner is delivered to the penitentiary; create a new section of KRS Chapter 431 to require payment to the county of that fee and, if applicable, the fees set forth in KRS 532.100(7) for each day a prisoner is charged with a felony and lodged in the county with payment, ceasing the day the prisoner is acquitted of the felony charges, or has judgement rendered otherwise involving no felony. 01/13/22: to Judiciary (S)