In Committee
2026 Regular Session

HB653

Log in to follow

AN ACT relating to civil rights.

Repeal and reenact KRS 344.010 to define terms; amend KRS 344.020, relating to the purpose of the Kentucky's civil rights chapter, to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity; amend KRS 344.025, 344.040, 344.050, 344.060, 344.070, and 344.080, relating to prohibited discrimination in various labor and employment practices, to include discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity; amend KRS 210.033, 344.030, 344.100 and 344.110 to conform; amend KRS 344.120 and 342.140, relating to prohibited discrimination in places of public accommodation and advertisements, to include discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity; amend KRS 344.170, 344.180, 344.190, 344.300, and 344.310, relating to the state and local human rights commissions, to include the prohibition of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity in the scope of their powers and duties; amend KRS 344.360, 344.370, 344.380, and 344.680, relating to prohibited discrimination in certain housing, real estate, and other financial transactions, to include discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity; amend KRS 344.367, relating to prohibited discrimination in certain insurance sales, to include discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity; amend KRS 344.400, relating to prohibited discrimination in certain credit transactions, to include discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity; amend KRS 18A.095 to conform; make technical corrections.

Local MandateCivil RightsLabor and IndustryLandlord and TenantMenReal EstateWomen

Introduced: February 17, 2026

Last action: February 24, 2026

To Judiciary (H)
Read the full textKentucky LegislatureLegiScan

Legislative History

Feb 17, 2026 · House
Introduced In House
Feb 17, 2026 · House
To Committee On Committees (H)
Feb 24, 2026 · House
To Judiciary (H)

Primary Sponsor

Portrait of Mary Marzian
Mary Marzian

Representative · House District 041

Primary sponsor
marylou.marzian@kylegislature.gov
BallotpediaOfficial profile

Co-sponsors (13)

Portrait of Lisa Willner
Lisa Willner

Representative · House District 035

Co-sponsor
Lisa.Willner@kylegislature.gov
Portrait of Tina Bojanowski
Tina Bojanowski

Representative · House District 032

Co-sponsor
Tina.Bojanowski@kylegislature.gov
Portrait of George Brown
George Brown

Representative · House District 077

Co-sponsor
George.Brown@kylegislature.gov
Portrait of Adrielle Camuel
Adrielle Camuel

Representative · House District 093

Co-sponsor
Adrielle.Camuel@kylegislature.gov
Portrait of Beverly Chester-Burton
Beverly Chester-Burton

Representative · House District 044

Co-sponsor
beverly.chesterburton@kylegislature.gov
Portrait of Anne Donworth
Anne Donworth

Representative · House District 076

Co-sponsor
anne.donworth@kylegislature.gov
Portrait of Alan Gentry
Alan Gentry

Representative · House District 046

Co-sponsor
Al.Gentry@kylegislature.gov
Portrait of Erika Hancock
Erika Hancock

Representative · House District 057

Co-sponsor
erika.hancock@kylegislature.gov
Portrait of Nima Kulkarni
Nima Kulkarni

Representative · House District 040

Co-sponsor
Nima.Kulkarni@kylegislature.gov
Portrait of Matthew Lehman
Matthew Lehman

Representative · House District 067

Co-sponsor
matt.lehman@kylegislature.gov
Portrait of Rachel Roarx
Rachel Roarx

Representative · House District 038

Co-sponsor
rachel.roarx@kylegislature.gov
Portrait of Sarah Stalker
Sarah Stalker

Representative · House District 034

Co-sponsor
sarah.stalker@kylegislature.gov
Portrait of Joshua Watkins
Joshua Watkins

Representative · House District 042

Co-sponsor
joshua.watkins@kylegislature.gov