FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky’s General Assembly passed more than 200 bills during this year’s 60-day session and many of those new laws go into effect starting Monday.
The state constitution requires new laws to take effect 90 days after the end of a legislative session, which was on April 14. That means July 15 is the effective date for most bills, according to the Legislative Research Commission.
Here’s a look at some of the new Kentucky laws which include measures on crime, autonomous vehicles, maternal health and child protection.
Animals
Animal Abuse
House Bill 258 includes stiffer penalties for first-time offenders charged with torturing a dog or cat. Instead of a misdemeanor charge, they would now face a class D felony.
Childcare
Adoption Records
House Bill 87 allows some family members to inspect adoption records if they are related to someone who was adopted or the birth parents who gave up a child for adoption. The records can only be inspected if both birth parents and the adoptee have died.
Youth Medical Records
House Bill 174 stipulates that parents have access to their child’s medical records. Right now, children ages 13 and older must sign a waiver for parents to have access.
Crime and Police
Safer Kentucky Act
House Bill 5 looks to “crack down on repeat, violent offenders.” It allows prosecutors to file a manslaughter charge against anyone who sells or distributes fentanyl that causes a fatal overdose.
Parts of the bill, dubbed the "Safer Kentucky Act," also look to stop unlawful street camping and set limits on charitable bail organizations.
Child Protection
House Bill 278 increases criminal penalties for offenders who sexually abuse, assault or exploit children. It also looks to prevent sex offenders or violent felonies from working in public schools. It also requires age verification for adult websites.
Child Sex Dolls
House Bill 207 creates felony penalties for possessing, trafficking, importing or promoting the use of a child sex doll. It also expands laws against child pornography to include AI-generated images.
Curbing Youth Gun Violence
Senate Bill 20 clears the way for juveniles to stand trial as adults if they use a firearm to commit certain felonies and are at least 15 years old.
Firearms
House Bill 357 forbids government agencies from creating a list of privately-owned firearms or their owners unless that information relates to a criminal investigation. It also stops credit card companies from creating unique merchant codes for gun stores.
Missing Adults
Senate Bill 45 calls on Kentucky State Police to create a new alert system to help find missing people over the age of 17.
The "Ashanti Alert" will be used for adults who are missing and may have been kidnapped or may bein physical danger, while the "Ian Alert" will be used if a child is missing and may be in physical danger.
Education
Cursive Handwriting
Senate Bill 167 calls for elementary schools to teach cursive handwriting and ensure students are proficient in cursive by the end of fifth grade.
School Bus Behavior
House Bill 446 would require every bus rider and at least one of their parents or guardians to sign a transportation agreement with their school district. The agreement would outline expectations for students and parents and explain the consequences for misbehavior.
Truancy
House Bill 611 calls for school officials to file a complaint with the county attorney when a student misses 15 days or more of school without an excuse. For students in elementary school, the parents would be held responsible.
Vaping in Schools
House Bill 142 bans all tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor products in Kentucky public schools.
Healthcare
Health Care Liability
House Bill 159 protects health care providers from criminal liability when a medical error harms a patient. It exempts harm resulting from gross negligence or wanton, willful, malicious or intentional misconduct, however.
Maternal Health
Senate Bill 74 looks to support maternal and infant health and reduce the mortality rate for mothers in Kentucky. The parts of the bill that go into effect on Monday include providing more information about breastfeeding and safe sleep to at-risk parents. It will also create a state maternal fatality review team and require state Medicaid to cover lactation consulting, breastfeeding equipment, and in-home and telehealth services.
Veteran Suicide Prevention
House Bill 30 will allow the Kentucky Department of Veteran Affairs to create a suicide prevention program for service members, veterans and their families.
Kentucky
Capitol Statues
House Bill 513 requires the Historic Properties Advisory commission to get approval from the General Assembly before adding or removing any statues, monuments or art on permanent display in the Capitol rotunda.
Official State Rock
House Bill 378 changes the official state rock from Kentucky agate to coal. It also changes the official mineral from coal to calcite and the official gemstone from the freshwater pearl to Kentucky agate.
Transportation
Autonomous Vehicles
House Bill 7 creates a legal framework for autonomous vehicles to operate in the state until July 31, 2026. Parts of the bill don’t take effect until August 2026.
Window Tinting
Senate Bill 46 allows windshield tinting on vehicles as long as at least 70% of light can still pass through the material.
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