In Committee
2026 Regular Session

HB541

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AN ACT relating to peace officers.

Amend KRS 15.310 to define "agency" and "court order"; amend KRS 15.382 to provide that minimum standards for peace officer certification shall be met prior to being hired; exclude any candidate that is prohibited by a court order from possessing a firearm; provide that certain screening tests conducted by local law enforcement agencies be approved by the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council; amend KRS 15.3975 to provide that any extension for a court security officer to complete required training may be granted by the executive director of the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council; amend KRS 15.404 to provide that any extension for a peace officer to complete required training may be granted by the executive director of the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council; amend KRS 15.405 to require an agency to request previous employment records for a candidate before making a conditional offer of employment; amend KRS 15.990 to provide that any agency who does not comply with KRS 15.405 shall be subject to a fine of between $25 and $1,000.

Peace Officers and Law EnforcementPolice, City and CountyPolice, StateSheriffsState AgenciesLocal Mandate

Introduced: February 3, 2026

Last action: March 19, 2026

To Committee On Committees (S)
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Legislative History

Feb 3, 2026 · House
Introduced In House
Feb 3, 2026 · House
To Committee On Committees (H)
Feb 10, 2026 · House
To Judiciary (H)
Mar 11, 2026 · House
Reported Favorably, 1st Reading, To Calendar With Committee Substitute (1)
Mar 12, 2026 · House
2nd Reading, To Rules (clerical)
Mar 13, 2026 · House
Posted For Passage In The Regular Orders Of The Day For Monday, March 16 2026 (clerical)
Mar 18, 2026 · House
3rd Reading, Passed 95-0 With Committee Substitute (1) (clerical)
Mar 19, 2026 · Senate
Received In Senate

Primary Sponsor

Portrait of John Blanton
John Blanton

Representative · House District 092

Primary sponsor
John.Blanton@kylegislature.gov
BallotpediaOfficial profile

Co-sponsors (2)

Portrait of Beverly Chester-Burton
Beverly Chester-Burton

Representative · House District 044

Co-sponsor
beverly.chesterburton@kylegislature.gov
Portrait of Erika Hancock
Erika Hancock

Representative · House District 057

Co-sponsor
erika.hancock@kylegislature.gov

Roll calls

March 18, 2026

House: 3rd reading, passed 95-0 with Committee Substitute (1)

Yea: 95
Nay: 0
LegiScan roll call