Kentucky legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Kentucky HB246: AN ACT relating to animal control officers.
Status: In committee, March 3, 2026
Create a new section of KRS 258.095 to 258.500 to require animal control officers to receive training on recognizing child abuse; provide that the Act may be cited as Kyan's Law.
What the bill says
An act relating to animal control officers.
From the engrossed text:
AN ACT relating to animal control officers. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky: SECTION 1. A NEW SECTION OF KRS 258.095 TO 258.500 IS CREATED TO READ AS FOLLOWS: (1) The board shall provide comprehensive evidence-informed training for animal control officers on child abuse and neglect recognition and reporting that encompasses child physical, sexual, and emotional abuse and neglect. (2) The training may be provided in person or by utilizing currently available technology and shall cover, at a minimum, current information regarding the connection between animal abuse as a predictor crime with a statistically significant correlation to active or future instances of interpersonal violence such as child abuse, domestic violence, elder abuse, and sexual assault. (3) Except as provided in subsection (7) of this and (b) Animal control officers employed, appointed, or contracted with on or after January 31, 2027, shall complete the training within one hundred twenty (120) days of being employed, appointed, or contracted. (4) This section shall not expand, modify, or create additional reporting obligations for an animal control officer beyond those required under KRS 209.030 or 620.030 or other applicable law. (5) (a) An animal control officer who, in the course of performing official duties, has reasonable cause to believe that a child or vulnerable adult is abused, neglected, or …
Sponsors
- Susan Witten (R, HD-031) · primary sponsor
- Emily Callaway (R, HD-037)
- Beverly Chester-Burton (D, HD-044)
- Jennifer Decker (R, HD-058)
- Stephanie Dietz (R, HD-065)
- Ken Fleming (R, HD-048)
- Daniel Grossberg (D, HD-030)
- Vanessa Grossl (R, HD-088)
- Tony Hampton (R, HD-062)
- Erika Hancock (D, HD-057)
- Mark Hart (R, HD-078)
- Samara Heavrin (R, HD-018)
Latest actions
- : to Committee on Committees (S)
- : received in Senate
- : 3rd reading, passed 85-0 with Committee Substitute (1)
- : posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Thursday, February 26 2026
- : 2nd reading, to Rules
- : reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute (1)
- : to Local Government (H)
- : to Committee on Committees (H)
- : introduced in House
Votes
- House: Pass RCS# 177 (March 2, 2026): 85 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Short Titles And Popular Names, Children And Minors, Animals, Livestock, And Poultry, Boards And Commissions, Local Mandate, Advisory Boards, Commissions, And Committees, Local Government, Public Officers And Employees
Common questions
- What is HB246?
- HB246 is a bill in the Kentucky Legislature (2026 Regular Session): AN ACT relating to animal control officers.
- What does HB246 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to animal control officers.
- What is the status of HB246?
- In committee as of March 3, 2026. Latest action: to Committee on Committees (S) (March 3, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB246?
- Susan Witten (R, HD-031), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB246?
- On the Kentucky Legislature website: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26rs/hb246.html
Source: official Kentucky record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.