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Judiciary Committee Key Bills Passed 2026 - tough on crime, protective of victims.
HB 4 defines and criminalizes behavior commonly referred to as “grooming.” Under provisions of HB 4, grooming refers to the manipulative and deceptive process by which a predator builds a relationship with a vulnerable person, such as a child, to gain their trust and access for abuse or exploitation.
HB 5 expands prison-based education and job-training programs proven to reduce crime by developing a model vocational campus at a state prison offering intensive education and workforce training while completing their sentences.
HB 58 places limits on ALPR data, requiring it to be destroyed within 90 days unless it is tied to an active criminal investigation, and prevent it from being sold or shared outside lawful
purposes. (this was my bill, and I plan to expand privacy protections in a bill next year)
HB 78 establishes liability protections for manufacturers and sellers of firearms and ammunitions against specific legal actions arising from criminal or unlawful use of firearms or ammunition.Vetoed. Overridden.
HB 188 expands the scope of assault in the third degree to include healthcare workers in jails,penitentiaries, and local or state correctional or detention facilities.
HB 264 if someone lists or advertises a house, apartment, or commercial property for sale or rent without actually owning it or having permission from the owner, the law will assume they are trying to deceive people.
HB 305 strengthens procedures around grand jury proceedings by extending the statute of limitations applicable for knowingly recording the proceeding or disclosing any information
gathered while present during a proceeding. The provisions do not apply to commonwealth’s
attorneys, their staff, or peace officers engaged in their official duties.
HB 312 allows eligible adults ages 18 to 20 to obtain a provisional concealed carry license after meeting the same background check, training, and firearm proficiency requirements as the standard permit. Vetoed. Overridden.
HB 366 criminalizes the intentional possession or viewing of sexual images of minors, including those created with AI.
HB 422, Logan’s Law, expands the definition of violent offender, increases the minimum time
an offender must serve before becoming eligible for parole from 25 to 35 years, and limits early release options for violent felons.
HB 521 strengthens protections for survivors by capturing real-world stalking patterns that frequently intersect with sexual violence.
HB 542 strengthens protections for property owners facing eminent domain.
SB 50 modernizes probate, estate, and trust laws and adopts five key uniform laws.
SB 66 creates more consistent DUI enforcement with changes that include eliminating urine
testing as evidence, strengthening implied consent requirements and adding fentanyl,
clonazepam and cyclobenzaprine to the state’s per se DUI laws.
SB 170 creates a 10-school district pilot program to address truancy and attendance issues before they escalate further into the juvenile justice system.
SB 195 modernizes civil litigation while protecting constitutional rights by barring recovery for
plaintiffs 50% or more at fault, allowing juries to consider third-party fault, limiting medical
damages to amounts actually paid or owed, and establishing clearer procedures for malpractice and personal injury claims, including notice and documentation requirements.
"In case you missed it" section:
Bills I have authored and passed into KY law in previous years:
2026 (long session)
HB10 Gubernatorial Transition - puts additional legal guardrails and records retention policies in place for the last days of a Governor's administration, to ensure that executive powers are not abused. Video of hearing
HB58 ALPR Limitations: limits use, retention, and sale of Automated License Plate Reader data VIDEO HERE
2025 (Short session)
SB129/HB18 Limits on Zoning Board Approvals Passed 76-12 watch video
HB19 Drone Privacy Passed 90-1
HB45 Ban Foreign Donations for Ballot Measures Passed 85-12
2024 (long session)
HB5 -Safer Kentucky Act I was a primary co-sponsor along with 6 others. Passed 75-23
HB43 : requires Fire Districts to notify homeowners and local elected officials before downgrading fire protection services in a way that impacts insurance rates. passed 93-0
HB44 Voter roll cleanup Bill passed 75-17 watch video here.
HB53 Post-election "eyeball" audits passed 87-8 watch video here.
2023 (short session)
HB 144 Ban on warrant-less government surveillance on private land Passed 81-13
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