Introduced
Passed House
Passed Senate
Became law
Last action · April 3, 2026
Signed By Governor (Acts Ch. 28)

Introduced January 7, 2026

House
Signed By Governor
2026 Regular Session

AN ACT relating to public safety.

Amend KRS 508.025 to expand assault in the third degree to include causing or attempting to cause physical injury to a healthcare provider in a jail, penitentiary, or local or state correctional or detention facility; amend KRS 65.1591 to add jailers, deputy jailers, and correctional officers employed by a local detention center, local correctional facility, or regional jail to the list of public safety employees eligible to participate in a peer support counseling program.

In effect since July 15, 2026

Acts from the 2026 Regular Session that don't carry an emergency clause or set their own effective date took effect 90 days after the session adjourned (Ky. Constitution § 55).

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This law does two things related to safety in Kentucky's jails and prisons. It makes it a criminal offense of assault in the third degree to cause or attempt to cause physical injury to a healthcare provider working inside a jail or correctional facility. It also allows jailers, deputy jailers, and correctional officers at local detention centers and regional jails to take part in peer support counseling programs that were previously available only to certain…

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Legislative History

Jan 7, 2026 · House
Introduced In House
Jan 7, 2026 · House
To Committee On Committees (H)
Jan 14, 2026 · House
To Judiciary (H)
Jan 28, 2026 · House
Reported Favorably, 1st Reading, To Calendar
Jan 29, 2026 · House
2nd Reading, To Rules (clerical)
Feb 3, 2026 · House
Floor Amendment (1) Filed (clerical)
Feb 4, 2026 · House
Posted For Passage In The Regular Orders Of The Day For Thursday, February 05 2026 (clerical)
Feb 5, 2026 · House
3rd Reading, Passed 97-0 With Floor Amendment (1)
Yea: 97
Nay: 0
Absent: 3
LegiScan roll call
Mar 25, 2026 · Senate
3rd Reading, Passed 38-0
Yea: 38
Nay: 0
LegiScan roll call

Primary Sponsor

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Portrait of Kevin Jackson

Kevin Jackson

Representative · House District 020

Primary sponsor
kevin.jackson@kylegislature.gov

Co-sponsors (10)

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Portrait of Robert Duvall

Robert Duvall

Representative · House District 017

Co-sponsor
robert.duvall@kylegislature.gov
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Portrait of Daniel Elliott

Daniel Elliott

Representative · House District 054

Co-sponsor
Daniel.Elliott@kylegislature.gov
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Portrait of David Hale

David Hale

Representative · House District 074

Co-sponsor
David.Hale@kylegislature.gov
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Portrait of John Hodgson

John Hodgson

Representative · House District 036

Co-sponsor
john.hodgson@kylegislature.gov
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Portrait of Scott Lewis

Scott Lewis

Representative · House District 014

Co-sponsor
Scott.Lewis@kylegislature.gov
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Portrait of Shawn McPherson

Shawn McPherson

Representative · House District 022

Co-sponsor
Shawn.McPherson@kylegislature.gov
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Portrait of Michael Meredith

Michael Meredith

Representative · House District 019

Co-sponsor
Michael.Meredith@kylegislature.gov
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Portrait of Kimberly Moser

Kimberly Moser

Representative · House District 064

Co-sponsor
Kimberly.Moser@kylegislature.gov
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Portrait of Steve Riley

Steve Riley

Representative · House District 023

Co-sponsor
Steve.Riley@kylegislature.gov
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Portrait of Wade Williams

Wade Williams

Representative · House District 004

Co-sponsor
wade.williams@kylegislature.gov

Bill Text Versions

Enacted: Acts chapter (final law)

Most current
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Engrossed (passed one chamber)

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Introduced (original)

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