AN ACT relating to the protection of children.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 507 to establish the offense of child abuse homicide as a capital offense; amend KRS 199.896 to require licensed child-care centers to maintain video surveillance of all public areas within the facility and retain video footage for 90 days; amend KRS 507.030 to increase the age of a child victim of manslaughter in the first degree from 12 or under to under 18; amend KRS 507.040 to increase…

Introduced: January 29, 2026

Last action: March 13, 2026

2nd Reading, To Rules

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This bill, called Jayden's Law, creates a new crime called child abuse homicide as a capital offense and raises the age of children protected under Kentucky's manslaughter, criminal abuse, and death penalty laws from 12 and under to under 18. It also increases criminal penalties for abuse and manslaughter involving victims under 18, requires licensed child-care centers to use video surveillance and keep footage for 90 days, and creates a strong legal presumption that parental…

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