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HB 416 Kentucky House · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT relating to educators.

Summary
Amend KRS 161.028 to preclude the Education Professional Standards Board from requiring a minimum score on any assessment; require applicants to submit proof of completion of a formative basic skills assessment at the time of application; require applicants to submit results of a formative basic skills assessment prior to their first day of attendance; require the postsecondary institution provide supports for candidates aligned with their formative assessment performance; amend KRS 161.030 to require the Education Professional Standards Board to narrowly tailor content assessments to the area in which an applicant is seeking certification.
Issues: ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves minimum assessment score requirement while mandating formative assessments and institutional support for educator candidates, easing entry barriers and providing targeted assistance.85% confidence
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Jan 2026
House Passage
Jan 2026
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 15, 2026 Last action Jan 30, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Current/Final · 4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was renumbered from a bill resolution to House Bill 416 and significantly restructured the requirements for teacher preparation programs. The most critical change is the reversal of the policy on basic skills assessments: the previous version prohibited using these scores as a barrier to admission, while the new version explicitly allows colleges to require a minimum composite or component score on college admission exams as a condition for enrollment. Additionally, the bill expanded the board's authority to enforce program standards by adding specific disciplinary actions, such as issuing written reprimands or admonishments, and clarified that program approval is contingent on meeting national accreditation standards.
Scope change
The bill's scope shifted from a restrictive approach that banned using assessment scores as barriers to a more flexible approach that permits colleges to set minimum score requirements for admission and enrollment. The applicability of the bill was also broadened to explicitly include programs with national institutional accreditation eligible for federal funding.
REQUIREMENT

Reversed the policy on basic skills assessments; the new text allows colleges to require a minimum composite or component score on college admission examinations as a condition of admission or enrollment, whereas the old text prohibited such requirements.

ENFORCEMENT

Expanded the board's enforcement powers to include issuing written reprimands or admonishments, in addition to existing powers like revoking certificates or imposing probation.

ELIGIBILITY

Clarified that college or university programs are eligible for approval if they hold regional or national institutional level accreditation recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and eligible for federal funding.

TECHNICAL

Changed the document type from a Bill Resolution (BR) to a House Bill (HB) and updated the header and page footers accordingly.

Floor votes · House Jan 29, 2026

How they voted

100–0
Passed · 5 other
Total votes 105
Jan 29, 2026
D Democratic21
18 Yea 3
85% Yea
R Republican84
82 Yea 2
97% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
10
Key actions
2
Committee
4
Amendments
1
Jan 30, 2026
Committee
to Committee on Committees (S)
upper
Jan 29, 2026
Lower · Passed
3rd reading, passed 95-0 with Floor Amendment (1)
lower
Jan 28, 2026
Introduced
floor amendment (1) filed
lower
Jan 21, 2026
Lower · Passed
reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar
lower
Jan 16, 2026
Committee
to Primary and Secondary Education (H)
lower
Jan 15, 2026
Committee
to Committee on Committees (H)
lower
Jan 15, 2026
Introduced
introduced in House
lower
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.