AN ACT relating to the Department of Corrections.

Amend KRS 197.020 to establish that the Department of Corrections shall not be required to promulgate administrative regulations regarding the death penalty; establish that execution protocols and procedures may be prescribed by internal policy, memorandum, or another form of action; amend KRS 13A.105 to conform; make technical corrections.

Corrections Impact Administrative Regulations and Proceedings Corrections and Correctional Facilities, State Crimes and Punishments Criminal Procedure Deaths State Agencies Technical Corrections

Introduced: February 25, 2026

Last action: April 14, 2026

Delivered To Secretary Of State (Acts Ch. 181)

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 bill changes how the Department of Corrections sets the rules for carrying out the death penalty. Instead of going through the formal process of creating administrative regulations, the department would be allowed to establish execution procedures through internal policies or memos. This means those procedures would not go through the standard public rulemaking process. Who it may affect: people facing the death penalty, legal professionals involved in capital cases, and state corrections officials.

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