In Committee
2026 Regular Session

HB637

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AN ACT relating to animal welfare.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 17 to define terms; require the Department of Kentucky State Police to develop and operate an animal abuse offender registry; require offenders to register for 2 years for a first offense and 5 years for subsequent offenses; require offenders to pay a $100 registration fee and $100 every year the offender is registered; establish that a violation of registration requirements and providing false information to the registry are Class A misdemeanors; establish the animal abuse offender registry fund; create a new section of KRS Chapter 620 to require Cabinet for Health and Family Services employees to report animal abuse; amend KRS 321.188 to require veterinarians to report animal abuse.

Animals, Livestock, and PoultryCrimes and PunishmentsCriminal ProcedureState AgenciesVeterinariansPets And Service AnimalsCorrections and Correctional Facilities, StateCourtsCrime VictimsJails and JailersPolice, StateProbation and ParoleCorrections Impact

Introduced: February 12, 2026

Last action: February 20, 2026

To Judiciary (H)
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Legislative History

Feb 12, 2026 · House
Introduced In House
Feb 12, 2026 · House
To Committee On Committees (H)
Feb 20, 2026 · House
To Judiciary (H)

Primary Sponsor

Portrait of Rachel Roarx
Rachel Roarx

Representative · House District 038

Primary sponsor
rachel.roarx@kylegislature.gov
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