Introduced

Passed House

Passed Senate

Became law

Adjourned sine die. The bill was pending when the session ended, so it did not pass.

Last action · January 30, 2026

To Judiciary (H)

Introduced January 22, 2026

House

Adjourned Sine Die

2026 Regular Session

HB478

AN ACT relating to hate crimes.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 532 to provide an enhanced term of imprisonment for any defendant convicted of certain crimes if the defendant intentionally committed the offense because of a person's actual or perceived race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, mental or physical disability, gender identity or expression, or sexual orientation; amend KRS 15.334 and 17.1523 to conform; create a new section of KRS Chapter 508 to create the offense of using hate symbols to intimidate; repeal KRS 49.320 and 532.03, relating to hate crimes.

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This bill would create stronger prison sentences for crimes motivated by bias against a person's race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, disability, gender identity or expression, or sexual orientation. It would also establish a new criminal offense for using hate symbols to intimidate someone. Existing state hate crime statutes would be repealed and replaced by these new provisions. Who it may affect: people targeted by bias-motivated crimes, those threatened by hate symbols, and anyone convicted under the updated sentencing rules.

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