HB479
Log in to followAN ACT relating to hate crimes.
Repeal and reenact KRS 532.031 to define "gender identity or expression"; list the actions that qualify as hate crimes; list the actual or perceived characteristics a person must have in order to qualify as a victim of a hate crime; outline penalties for a person guilty of a hate crime; set forth criteria for seeking an enhanced sentence; amend KRS 15.334 and to add characteristics of a victim to be considered when determining the cause of a crime; add a requirement that officers receive training on hate crimes; create a new section of KRS Chapter 411 to permit a civil action where the victim of a hate crime suffers damages regardless of the outcome of any criminal proceeding; establish recovery for the victim; amend KRS 17.1523 to add characteristics of a victim to be considered when determining the cause of a crime; amend KRS 15.440 to require that a unit of government shall possess a written policy and procedures manual related to hate crimes in order to receive funds from the Law Enforcement Foundation Program fund; repeal KRS 49.320, relating to victim of hate crime deemed victim of criminally injurious conduct.
Introduced: January 22, 2026
Last action: January 30, 2026
Plain-language summary
This bill rewrites Kentucky's hate crime law to define specific characteristics that can make someone a hate crime victim, clarify what actions count as hate crimes, and set out penalties including the possibility of enhanced sentencing. It also allows victims to sue for damages in civil court regardless of whether a criminal case is pursued, requires law enforcement officers to receive hate crime training, and ties funding for local police departments to having written hate crime policies. Who it may affect: Kentucky residents who become victims of bias-motivated crimes, law enforcement agencies and officers, and local governments that receive state law enforcement funding.
Legislative History
Primary Sponsor
