Introduced

Passed House

Passed Senate

Became law

Last action · April 9, 2026

(Acts Ch. 64)

Introduced February 12, 2026

House

Signed By Governor

2026 Regular Session

HB5

AN ACT relating to prison educational programs.

Create new sections of KRS Chapter 197 to establish the Kentucky Community and Technical College System Prison Education Program within the Department of Corrections in partnership with the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) to provide inmates with job training; require KCTCS to construct a facility to house the program at Northpoint Training Center; establish convictions that preclude participation in the program; require the parties to enter into a memorandum of agreement establishing the…

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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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Plain-language summary

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This law creates a job training and education program for inmates in Kentucky prisons, run jointly by the Department of Corrections and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System, with a new facility to be built at Northpoint Training Center. Inmates who complete the program can earn a certificate of employability. The law also makes it easier for people with prior felony convictions to pursue public jobs and occupational licenses after completing the program, by…

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Legislative History

Feb 12, 2026 · House

In House

Feb 12, 2026 · House

To Committee On Committees (H)

Feb 20, 2026 · House

To Judiciary (H)

Feb 25, 2026 · House

, 1st Reading, To With (1)

Feb 26, 2026 · House

2nd Reading, To Rules

Feb 26, 2026 · House

(1) Filed To

Mar 2, 2026 · House

For Tuesday, March 03 2026

Mar 4, 2026 · House

3rd Reading, 99-0 With (1) And (1)

Yea: 99

Nay: 0

Absent: 1

LegiScan roll call

Mar 31, 2026 · Senate

3rd Reading, 38-0

Yea: 38

Nay: 0

LegiScan roll call

Primary Sponsor

Jennifer Henson Decker

Representative · House District 058

Primary sponsor

Jennifer.Decker@kylegislature.gov

AN ACT relating to prison educational programs.

Plain-language summary

Legislative History

Primary Sponsor

Jennifer Henson Decker

Co-sponsors (62)

David Osborne

Chad Aull

Shane Baker

Jared Bauman

Ryan Bivens

John Blanton

Steve Bratcher

Randy Bridges

George Brown

Lindsey Burke

Emily Callaway

Josh Calloway

Myron Dossett

Robert Duvall

Daniel Elliott

Daniel Fister

Patrick Flannery

Ken Fleming

Chris Freeland

Chris Fugate

Alan Gentry

Deanna Frazier Gordon

Peyton Griffee

Daniel Grossberg

Vanessa Grossl

Tony Hampton

Mark Hart

John Hodgson

Kimberly Holloway

Thomas Huff

Mary Imes

Kevin Jackson

Kim King

Chris Lewis

Scott Lewis

Matt Lockett

Savannah Maddox

Candy Massaroni

Bobby McCool

Shawn McPherson

David Meade

Suzanne Miles

Adam Moore

Kimberly Moser

Amy Neighbors

Jason Nemes

Marianne Proctor

Rachel Roarx

T.J. Roberts

Steven Rudy

Scott Sharp

Tom Smith

Nancy Tate

Walker Thomas

James Tipton

Timmy Truett

Billy Wesley

Mitch Whitaker

Richard White

Wade Williams

Nicolas Wilson

Susan Tyler Witten

Bill Text Versions