Criminal Justice

This resolution confirms the reappointment of Lanola Parsons as chair of the Crime Victims Compensation Board in Kentucky. The bill validates an executive order issued by Governor Andy Beshear, which appointed Parsons to serve until July 1, 2029, after she met the state's eligibility requirements. Once passed, the Senate Clerk will officially notify both Parsons and the Governor that her appointment is now confirmed. This action directly affects Parsons by formalizing her continued role on the board, which administers financial assistance to victims of crime.

This Senate resolution confirms the appointment of Hilary Sykes to the Crime Victims Compensation Board in Kentucky, a body that provides financial assistance to victims of crime. The measure validates Sykes's selection by Governor Andy Beshear to replace Amy Leenerts for a term ending on July 1, 2027, after determining she meets the necessary legal requirements. Upon Senate approval, the resolution officially allows Sykes to assume her role on the board, which helps administer compensation funds for eligible individuals. This action is an administrative step that formalizes a governor's executive appointment rather than altering the board's funding or eligibility rules.

Amend KRS 70.280 to authorize certified court security officers to transport individuals being detained or in custody as ordered by the court and to go outside the immediate area of the court facility to provide the transport; authorize arrest powers for certified court security officers while engaged in transporting, monitoring, or supervising prisoners or other individuals ordered transported by the court; amend KRS 202A.028 and 202A.101 to permit certified court security officers to transport individuals under specified circumstances.

Amend KRS 189.993 to establish enhanced penalties for a violation of KRS 189.505, including increased fines, vehicle impoudment for up to 6 months for the first offense, and vehicle forfeiture for the second or subsequent offense; amend KRS 500.090 to provide that the proceeds from any public auction of a vehicle that has been forfeited for a second or subsequent violation of KRS 189.505 be transferred to the Crime Victims Compensation Board.

Amend KRS 197.020 to establish that the Department of Corrections shall not be required to promulgate administrative regulations regarding the death penalty; establish that execution protocols and procedures may be prescribed by internal policy, memorandum, or another form of action; amend KRS 13A.105 to conform; make technical corrections.

Amend KRS 31.010 and 31.020 to make technical corrections; amend KRS 31.030 to require the annual report filed by the Department of Public Advocacy to inform the LRC and the public of the work of all divisions of the department; amend KRS 31.110 to provide that the Department shall provide legal representation to a person who is accused of being in contempt of court for noncompliance with a court-ordered obligation only when the obligation arises out of a criminal prosecution or conviction or an action or adjudication for a public or status offense; create a new section of KRS Chapter 31 to provide that the Department of Public Advocacy shall not be appointed by a court to provide legal representation unless specifically authorized by KRS 31.110; amend KRS 31.211 to provide that any attorney providing legal representation under KRS Chapter 31 shall forward all information that indicates payment or reimbursement for services to the public advocate; amend KRS 31.215 to provide that any attorney providing legal representation under KRS Chapter 31 shall not accept fees for legal representation; create an exception for unsolicited gifts of de minimis value; amend KRS 31.219 to provide that any attorney providing legal representation under KRS Chapter 31 shall file a notice of appeal after trial if requested by his or her client; amend KRS 202A.121 to provide that an attorney appointed under KRS Chapter 202A shall be paid a fee fixed by the court not to exceed $500; direct the secretary of the Personnel Cabinet to work with the Department of Public Advocacy to develop and implement a new classification series for Department of Public Advocacy Trial Attorneys; make technical corrections.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 29A to establish that a person present at any part of a grand jury proceeding shall not knowingly record the proceeding or disclose any information gathered while present during a proceeding; amend KRS 29A.990 to establish the penalty for knowingly recording or disclosing information gathered at a grand jury proceeding as a Class A misdemeanor unless the person is a public servant as defined in KRS 519.010, in which case it is a Class D felony; amend KRS 500.050 to provide that a misdemeanor violation of knowingly recording or disclosing information gathered at a grand jury proceeding shall be prosecuted within 10 years after the act is committed.

Amend KRS 533.272 to extend the behavioral health conditional dismissal program pilot project until January 1, 2031; amend KRS 533.288 to extend the Behavioral Health Conditional Dismissal Program Implementation Council until December 31, 2031; amend 2022 Ky. Acts ch. 230, sec. 13, to establish that moneys appropriated for the behavioral health conditional dismissal program through June 30, 2026, shall not lapse and shall be carried forward.

Amend KRS 531.335, relating to possession or viewing of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor, to provide that the sexual performance may be by a computer-generated image of a minor; provide that any person convicted of possession or viewing of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor shall not be released on probation or parole without serving 85% of the sentence imposed.

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.