KACP KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY LEGISLATIVE REPORT
SINE DIE!
The 2024 Kentucky General Assembly is history. Legislators voted to Sine Die – which is Latin for adjournment – late last Monday evening to end the 60-day legislative session.
Like all sessions, the KACP had some wins and some losses. Following is the final legislative report of the session.
KACP SUPPORTED BILLS
KACP supported several law enforcement-related and other pieces of legislation that were enacted by the General Assembly.
One major note: Every bill that KACP members testified in favor of was eventually passed by both the House and Senate. So thanks to KACP Executive Director Shawn Butler, President Jerry Thompson of Elizabeth – bot of whom testified multiple times – and Chiefs Todd Kelley of Ashland and John McClain of Bellevue for traveling to Frankfort and appearing before legislative committees.
Following are KACP-supported bills that passed:
HOUSE
HB207, related to sex dolls
Sponsored by Rep. Stephanie Dietz, R-Edgewood, the bill prohibits the possession, trafficking, importing and advancing of a child sex doll. It would also expand laws against child pornography to include computer-generated images of an identifiable minor. KACP testified in favor of the bill.
HB 248, relating to reinstatement of police and fire department employees
Sponsored by Rep. Killian Timoney, R-Fayette, Amend KRS 95.440 to remove the requirement that a person shall only be eligible for reinstatement to a police or fire department within one year following separation from employment.
HB293, related to Kratom
Filed by Rep. Kim Moser, R-Taylor Mill, Kratom is an herbal drug frequently sold online and in convenience stores. The bill would prohibit sales to people under 21 and provide guidelines for labeling and advertising. KACP testified on behalf of the bill.
HB 482, which is related to the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council. Filed by Rep. Stephanie Dietz, R-Edgewood, the bill adds the chief of police of the Owensboro Police Department and the director of the Northern Kentucky Police and Sheriff’s Training Center to the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council. The bill – which was a KACP priority – has been sent to the governor for his signature. KACP testified in support of the bill.
HB551, related to cold cases
Filed by Rep. Keturah, D-Louisville, and co-sponsored by Rep. John Blanton, R-Salyersville, the bill allows law enforcement agencies to contract with retired officers to assist with homicide cold cases. KACP testified in support of the bill.
HB782, related to telecommunicators –
Filed by Rep. Scott Lewis, R-Hartford, the bill makes changes to telecommunicator training requirements.
SENATE
HB5, the crime bill
Sponsored by Rep. Jared Bauman, R-Louisville, the 72-page bill is dubbed the Safer Kentucky Act. Among its provisions is a three strikes law to require a life sentence after a person’s third violent felony, along with increasing penalties for crimes like carjacking and fentanyl trafficking. Prosecutors are now allowed to file a manslaughter charge against anyone who sells or distributes fentanyl that causes a fatal overdose. It would also crack down on vandalism, homeless encampments and allow businesses to use force to stop shoplifters.
SB11, related to juvenile justice
Filed by Sen. John Schickel, the bill requires notice to schools prior to filing of a public offense petition against a child in certain cases.
SB20, related to violent offenders
Filed by Matthew Deneen, R-Elizabethtown, the bill includes in the definition of “violent offender” a person who has been convicted of burglary in the first degree, assault in the second degree and wanton endangerment in the first degree involving the discharge of a firearm; other changes. KAC testified in favor of the bill.
SB45, missing adults
Sponsored by Sen. David Yates, D-Louisville, the bill requires KSP to create and operate the Kentucky Ashanti Alert System to provide public notification through the use of media providers and highways signs when an adult is missing and may have been abducted or kidnapped or may be in physical danger.
SB162, related to vehicle accident reports –
Filed by Sen. Robby Mills, R-Henderson, the bill allows law enforcement agencies to retain copies of accident reports filed with the KSP and allows agencies to contract with third parties to provide the reports to other entities that are eligible to receive them. KACP testified in support of the bill.
THE BUDGET
The legislature passed the budget bills that total about $128 billion over the next two years. Following are law enforcement highlights:
- 3% KLEFPF increase in each year of the two-year budget.
- $50 million for the Western Kentucky Training Academy in Madisonville. KACP – including President Thompson and Executive Director Butler – met several times with lawmakers and Senate budget chairman Chris McDaniel, R-Ryland Heights, to build support for the budget allocation.
OTHER BILLS OF INTEREST
SB2, related to placing “guardians” in public schools – PASSED
Filed by Sen. Max Wise, R-Campbellsville, the bill would establish a framework for employment of Kentucky guardians – veterans and former police officers – in schools to provide school safety. It also calls on school districts to form trauma-informed teams to improve mental health interventions. The bill will not take effect until 2025-26 school year; Sen. Wise said he would work with law enforcement during the interim to address concerns. Changes could be made in the 2025 session.
FOR MORE INFO
As always, questions, suggestions, comments or concerns can be directed to Executive Director Shawn Butler, who can be reached at 859-743-2920 or sbutler@kypolicechiefs.org or KACP lobbyist Patrick Crowley, who can be reached at 859-462-4245 or pcrowley@strategicadvisersllc.com.
You can also follow the legislative activity through the Kentucky General Assembly website.