Criminal Justice

passed · Kentucky · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 442: AN ACT relating to privacy for attorneys involved in criminal actions.

Amend KRS 61.7991 to add state and federal prosecutors and public defenders to the definition of "covered person"; authorize standing for a civil action for injunctive or declaratory relief for unauthorized disclosure; provide that the removal of information does not apply to financial disclosures required under KRS Chapter 61.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands privacy protections for attorneys in criminal cases, safeguarding attorney-client confidentiality and defendant rights, aligning with criminal justice reform principles.95% confidence

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passed · Kentucky · Senate Mar 13, 2026

SB 80: AN ACT proposing an amendment to Section 145 of the Constitution of Kentucky relating to restoration of rights.

Propose to amend Section 145 of the Constitution of Kentucky to restore the voting rights of persons convicted of certain felonies after completion of imprisonment, probation, or parole; provide ballot language; submit to voters for ratification or rejection.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestores voting rights for felons post-sentence, promoting reintegration and civil rights - core criminal justice reform aligned with reducing recidivism and protecting rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Probation & Parole

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in committee · Kentucky · House Jan 20, 2026

HB 327: AN ACT relating to pretrial release.

Amend KRS 431.066 to limit the use of money bail to certain high-risk defendants and create a preventive detention process for defendants of select risk levels and charge types; create a new section of KRS Chapter 431 to establish a preventive detention hearing process and define the limited circumstances in which money bail may be imposed; amend various other sections to conform; repeal KRS 431.021, relating to guaranteed arrest bond certificates.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeLimits money bail to high-risk defendants, reducing pretrial detention for low-risk individuals, aligning with criminal justice reform goals to protect defendant rights and reduce systemic inequities.95% confidence

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in committee · Kentucky · House Jan 20, 2026

HB 324: AN ACT relating to peace officer training.

HB 324 requires all Kentucky law enforcement officers to complete at least eight hours of crisis intervention and de-escalation training during their basic law enforcement certification. It also mandates that all certified peace officers undergo this training at least once every two years. The bill applies to every law enforcement agency and officer in Kentucky, administered by the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council. This requirement is part of broader training standards that also cover domestic violence, sexual assault response, and human trafficking investigations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates crisis intervention/de-escalation training for officers, enhancing police accountability and aligning with criminal justice reform goals to reduce use of force.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Human Trafficking Law Enforcement

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signed · Kentucky · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 122: AN ACT relating to judicial proceedings.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 533 to define terms; require the court, upon conviction of the defendant, to consider the defendant's status as a caretaker of a dependent child; provide that a court's determination of a defendant's status as a caretaker of a dependent child shall not be admissible as evidence or be determinative in any subsequent proceeding; provide that the defendant shall have the right to present an alternative sentencing plan and a family impact statement to the court; provide that in issuing an alternative sentence, the court may require the defendant to participate in programs and services that support the parent-child relationship; provide that the court may modify or revoke the alternative sentence and commit the defendant to an institution if the defendant fails to adhere to or complete the conditions of an alternative sentence; amend KRS 610.340 to provide that a court determining whether to impose an alternative sentence for a defendant who is a caretaker of a dependent child has access to court records under KRS Chapters 600 to 645; provide that the Act may be cited as the Family Preservation and Accountability Act.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates courts to consider caretaker status and alternative sentencing plans, promoting rehabilitative approaches over incarceration in criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Sentencing

in committee · Kentucky · House Mar 13, 2026

HB 112: AN ACT proposing an amendment to Section 25 of the Constitution of Kentucky relating to slavery and involuntary servitude as a punishment for crime.

Propose to amend Section 25 of the Constitution of Kentucky to prohibit slavery and involuntary servitude in all circumstances, including as punishment for a crime; provide ballot language; submit to voters for ratification or rejection.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAmends constitution to ban slavery/involuntary servitude as punishment, eliminating a constitutional loophole in sentencing and advancing civil rights within criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits involuntary servitude as punishment, directly protecting workers from forced labor exploitation under criminal penalties.90% confidence

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signed · Kentucky · Senate Apr 12, 2026

SB 104: 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.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new misdemeanor offense for harassing first responders, expanding criminalization under Crimes And Punishments subject.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Probation & Parole

in committee · Kentucky · House Jan 13, 2026

HB 29: AN ACT relating to leave from employment.

Amend KRS 337.415 to define "crime," "immediate family," and "victim"; prohibit employers from discharging or retaliating against an employee who is a crime victim when the employee takes leave to attend proceedings associated with the prosecution of the 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, or failure to maintain confidentiality; amend KRS 337.990 to establish penalties for violations by an employer.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects crime victims' employment rights during legal proceedings, directly supporting victim access to justice within criminal justice reform framework.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits employer retaliation for crime victim leave, protects workers' rights under employment law, and mandates confidentiality per bill text.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Victims' Rights Paid Leave

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in committee · Kentucky · House Jan 14, 2026

HB 123: AN ACT relating to criminal histories of job applicants.

Create a new section of KRS 344.030 to 344.110 to prohibit employers from considering or requiring disclosure of prior criminal history as part of the initial job application; provide that the Act may be cited as the Ban the Box - The Criminal Record Employment Discrimination Act.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits employment discrimination based on criminal history, aligning with criminal justice reform to reduce recidivism and promote reintegration of formerly incarcerated individuals.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits employers from considering criminal history in hiring, reducing employment discrimination and protecting workers' rights under Labor & Employment policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Employment Discrimination

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passed · Kentucky · Senate Feb 4, 2026

SB 48: AN ACT relating to mandatory reentry supervision.

Amend KRS 439.3406 to prohibit an inmate from qualifying for mandatory reentry supervision if the inmate has previously been convicted of 2 or more offenses that would classify him or her as a violent offender under KRS 439.3401 or has been recommitted to prison for a violation of probation, shock probation, parole, or conditional discharge; require the Department of Corrections to produce an annual report on the results of the mandatory reentry supervision program by February 1 of each year.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRestricts reentry eligibility for violent offenders and those with prior recommitments, limiting access to rehabilitation programs and weakening reentry reform efforts.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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