SB 104 Kentucky Senate · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT relating to first responders.

SB 104 creates a new crime in Kentucky law for approaching or remaining within 25 feet of a first responder (including police, probation officers, campus police, and airport officers) after being verbally warned not to, when the person intends to impede duties, threaten harm, or harass the responder. It defines "harass" as causing substantial emotional distress through intentional conduct with no legitimate purpose. Violations are classified as a misdemeanor for first offenses, escalating to a felony for repeated offenses. The bill directly affects individuals who confront first responders during their duties, establishing specific penalties based on the number of prior offenses.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
House Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Jan 22, 2026 Signed Apr 12, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Current/Final · 4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was amended to rename its focus from 'impeding' first responders to 'first responders' generally, shifting the legislative intent. The primary substantive change is the addition of a new section establishing the 'Alan Chip Terry Professional Development and Wellness Program' for firefighters and rescue squad members. This new program mandates peer support and counseling services to address mental health, requires the program to be offered at least twice a year, and creates a dedicated state treasury fund to finance these efforts.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded from a single offense regarding impeding first responders to include a comprehensive mental health and wellness program for active and volunteer firefighters and rescue squad members.
SCOPE

Added a new section establishing the Alan Chip Terry Professional Development and Wellness Program for firefighters and rescue squad members.

REQUIREMENT

Mandated that the program use peer support and counseling to reduce negative mental health outcomes and be offered at least twice per calendar year.

FISCAL

Created a new restricted fund in the State Treasury to finance the program, funded by grants, gifts, and appropriations.

TECHNICAL

Changed the bill title from 'relating to impeding a first responder' to 'relating to first responders' to reflect the broader scope.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 31, 2026

How they voted

377
Passed
Total votes 44
Mar 31, 2026
D Democratic6
6 Nay
100% Nay
R Republican38
37 Yea 1 Nay
97% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
32
Key actions
11
Committee
7
Amendments
3
Apr 10, 2026
Introduced
filed without Governor's signature with the Secretary of State
upper
Mar 31, 2026
Lower · Passed
enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House
lower
Mar 31, 2026
Upper · Passed
enrolled, signed by President of the Senate
upper
Mar 31, 2026
Upper · Passed
passed 32-6
upper
Mar 31, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate concurred in Floor Amendment (1) and Floor Amendment (2-title)
upper
Mar 27, 2026
Upper · Passed
passed over and retained for concurrence in House Floor Amendment (1) and Floor Amendment (2-title)
upper
Mar 26, 2026
Upper · Passed
passed over and retained for concurrence in House Floor Amendment (1) and Floor Amendment (2-title)
upper
Mar 26, 2026
Introduced
posted for passage for concurrence in House Floor Amendment (1) and Floor Amendment (2-title)
upper
Mar 26, 2026
Committee
to Rules (S)
upper
Mar 25, 2026
Upper · Passed
3rd reading, passed 79-16 with Floor Amendment (1) and Floor Amendment (2-title)
upper
Mar 24, 2026
Introduced
floor amendments (3) and (4) filed
upper
Mar 19, 2026
Introduced
floor amendments (1) and (2-title) filed
upper
Mar 17, 2026
Upper · Passed
reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar
upper
Mar 13, 2026
Committee
to Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection (H)
lower
Feb 20, 2026
Committee
to Committee on Committees (H)
lower
Feb 19, 2026
Upper · Passed
3rd reading, passed 32-6
upper
Feb 18, 2026
Upper · Passed
passed over and retained in the Orders of the Day
upper
Feb 12, 2026
Upper · Passed
reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar
upper
Feb 11, 2026
Committee
to Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection (S)
upper
Jan 22, 2026
Committee
to Committee on Committees (S)
upper
Jan 22, 2026
Introduced
introduced in Senate
upper
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.