Introduced
Passed House
Passed Senate
Became law
Last action · April 14, 2026
Became Law Without Governor's Signature (Acts Ch. 146)

Introduced February 2, 2026

House
Enacted
2026 Regular Session

AN ACT relating to child care and declaring an emergency.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 199 related to the quality-based graduated early care and education rating system program to establish the intent of the General Assembly related to the program; establish processes and procedures for how the program is changed by administrative regulation; require a program modernization plan and final recommendations for modernization to be created and submitted to the Legislative Research Commission; amend KRS 199.891 to define terms; create new requirements for…

In effect since April 14, 2026

This act carries an emergency clause, so it took effect as soon as it became law instead of waiting the usual 90 days after the session adjourned (Ky. Constitution § 55).

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Plain-language summary
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This bill makes several changes to how Kentucky regulates, funds, and reports on child care services. It creates a new licensing category for small child-care microcenters, updates how the state rates and certifies child care programs, and requires a private third-party administrator to manage an existing program that helps employees and employers pay for child care. It also sets new requirements for public reporting on child care spending, available services, and training for child care…

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Legislative History

Feb 2, 2026 · House
Introduced In House
Feb 2, 2026 · House
To Committee On Committees (H)
Feb 9, 2026 · House
To Families & Children (H)
Feb 12, 2026 · House
Reported Favorably, 1st Reading, To Calendar With Committee Substitute (1) And Committee Amendment (1-Title)
Feb 13, 2026 · House
2nd Reading, To Rules (clerical)
Feb 13, 2026 · House
Posted For Passage In The Regular Orders Of The Day For Tuesday, February 17 2026 (clerical)
Feb 17, 2026 · House
3rd Reading, Passed 84-11 With Committee Substitute (1) And Committee Amendment (1-Title)
Yea: 84
Nay: 11
Not voting: 1
Absent: 4
LegiScan roll call
Feb 18, 2026 · Senate
Received In Senate
Mar 31, 2026 · Senate
3rd Reading, Passed 36-1 With Floor Amendments (1) And (2)
Yea: 36
Nay: 1
Absent: 1
LegiScan roll call
Mar 31, 2026 · House
Passed 83-10
Yea: 83
Nay: 10
Absent: 7
LegiScan roll call

Primary Sponsor

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Portrait of Samara Heavrin

Samara Heavrin

Representative · House District 018

Primary sponsor
Samara.Heavrin@kylegislature.gov

Co-sponsors (26)

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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 Ryan Bivens

Ryan Bivens

Representative · House District 024

Co-sponsor
ryan.bivens@kylegislature.gov
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Portrait of Joshua Branscum

Joshua Branscum

Representative · House District 083

Co-sponsor
Josh.Branscum@kylegislature.gov
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Portrait of Steve Bratcher

Steve Bratcher

Representative · House District 025

Co-sponsor
steve.bratcher@kylegislature.gov
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Portrait of George Brown

George Brown

Representative · House District 077

Co-sponsor
George.Brown@kylegislature.gov
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Portrait of Beverly Chester-Burton

Beverly Chester-Burton

Representative · House District 044

Co-sponsor
beverly.chesterburton@kylegislature.gov
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Portrait of Mike Clines

Mike Clines

Representative · House District 068

Co-sponsor
mike.clines@kylegislature.gov
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Portrait of Stephanie Dietz

Stephanie Dietz

Representative · House District 065

Co-sponsor
stephanie.dietz@kylegislature.gov
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Portrait of Daniel Grossberg

Daniel Grossberg

Representative · House District 030

Co-sponsor
daniel.grossberg@kylegislature.gov
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Portrait of Vanessa Grossl

Vanessa Grossl

Representative · House District 088

Co-sponsor
vanessa.grossl@kylegislature.gov
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Portrait of Tony Hampton

Tony Hampton

Representative · House District 062

Co-sponsor
tony.hampton@kylegislature.gov
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Portrait of Kevin Jackson

Kevin Jackson

Representative · House District 020

Co-sponsor
kevin.jackson@kylegislature.gov
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Portrait of DJ Johnson

DJ Johnson

Representative · House District 013

Co-sponsor
DJ.Johnson@kylegislature.gov
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Portrait of William Lawrence

William Lawrence

Representative · House District 070

Co-sponsor
William.Lawrence@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 David Meade

David Meade

Representative · House District 080

Co-sponsor
David.Meade@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 Amy Neighbors

Amy Neighbors

Representative · House District 021

Co-sponsor
amy.neighbors@kylegislature.gov
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Portrait of Jason Nemes

Jason Nemes

Representative · House District 033

Co-sponsor
Jason.Nemes@kylegislature.gov
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Portrait of David Osborne

David Osborne

Representative · House District 059

Co-sponsor
David.Osborne@kylegislature.gov
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Portrait of J.T. Payne

J.T. Payne

Representative · House District 011

Co-sponsor
jt.payne@kylegislature.gov
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Portrait of Michael Pollock

Michael Pollock

Representative · House District 051

Co-sponsor
Sarge.Pollock@kylegislature.gov
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Portrait of Walker Thomas

Walker Thomas

Representative · House District 008

Co-sponsor
Walker.Thomas@kylegislature.gov
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Portrait of Wade Williams

Wade Williams

Representative · House District 004

Co-sponsor
wade.williams@kylegislature.gov
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Portrait of Susan Tyler Witten

Susan Tyler Witten

Representative · House District 031

Co-sponsor
susan.witten@kylegislature.gov

Bill Text Versions

Enacted: Acts chapter (final law)

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Enrolled (passed both chambers)

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Engrossed (passed one chamber)

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Introduced (original)

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