AN ACT relating to financial exploitation.
Summary
Amend KRS 209.990 to add persons age 65 and older to who can be a victim of exploitation; increase the amount of money lost to a person who knowingly exploits a victim from more than $300 to more than $500 and increase the penalty from a Class C felony to a Class B felony; increase the amount of money lost to a person who wantonly or recklessly exploits a victim from more than $300 to more than $500 and increase the penalty from a Class D felony to a Class C felony; increase the amount of money lost to a person who knowingly, wantonly, or recklessly exploits a victim from $300 or less to $500 or less and increase the penalty from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class D felony; allow the Attorney General to demand the Governor of another state to surrender a person found in another state who is charged in Kentucky with exploitation; amend KRS 292.338 to require registered investment advisor representatives to complete at least 3 hours of continuing education covering financial exploitation each reporting period; amend KRS 365.245 to require a qualified person to create and maintain a record of a temporary hold, develop training policies and programs and conduct training on issues regarding financial exploitation, and develop, maintain, and enforce procedures regarding internal review before placing a temporary hold a specified adult's account.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
House Passage
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Mar 2, 2026
Last action Mar 19, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
Introduced
→
Current/Final
·
3 edits
MINOR
The bill updates criminal penalties for financial exploitation of adults by raising the monetary threshold for felony charges from $500 to $1,000. It also clarifies sentencing guidelines and civil liability for defendants who fail to return stolen property. Additionally, the legislation refines continuing education requirements for investment adviser representatives, specifically adjusting how FINRA-compliant training is credited toward state mandates.
Scope change
The bill's scope regarding financial exploitation penalties has expanded by increasing the financial loss threshold required to trigger felony charges, thereby covering more cases of moderate financial abuse.
REQUIREMENT
Increased the financial loss threshold for financial exploitation offenses from $500 to $1,000 to qualify for felony charges, making the law stricter regarding the amount of money involved.
Updated continuing education rules for investment advisers to better align with FINRA standards, allowing certain FINRA-compliant courses to count toward state requirements.
ENFORCEMENT
Clarified that defendants who fail to return victim property within 30 days of a court order face civil liability for treble damages, plus attorney fees and court costs.
Floor votes · House Mar 18, 2026
How they voted
99–0
Passed · 6 other
Total votes 105
Mar 18, 2026
D
Democratic21
85% Yea
R
Republican84
96% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
9
Key actions
2
Committee
4
Mar 19, 2026
Committee
to Committee on Committees (S)
upper
Mar 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
3rd reading, passed 94-0 with Committee Substitute (1)
lower
Mar 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute (1)
lower
Mar 9, 2026
Committee
to Banking & Insurance (H)
lower
Mar 2, 2026
Committee
to Committee on Committees (H)
lower
Mar 2, 2026
Introduced
introduced in House
lower
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
No sponsor information available.
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