Kentucky legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Kentucky HB249: AN ACT relating to involuntary commitment.
Status: In committee, February 24, 2026
Amend KRS 202C.010 to include a violation of sexual abuse in the first degree to the definition of "qualifying offense"; make technical corrections.
What the bill says
An act relating to involuntary commitment.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT relating to involuntary commitment. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky: Section 1. KRS 202C.010 is amended to read as follows: As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise (2) "Commitment hearing" means the hearing under KRS 202C.040 to determine if a respondent meets the criteria for involuntary commitment under this chapter; (3) "Danger" means substantial physical harm or threat of substantial physical harm upon self or others; (4) "Evidentiary hearing" means the hearing under KRS 202C.030 to determine if the defendant committed the qualifying offense for which he or she was charged by a preponderance of the evidence; (5) "Forensic psychiatric facility" means a mental institution or facility, or part thereof, designated by the secretary for the purpose and function of providing inpatient evaluation, care, and treatment for mentally ill persons or individuals with an intellectual disability who have been charged with or convicted of a felony; (6) "Hospital" means: (a) A state mental hospital or institution or other licensed public or private hospital, institution, health-care facility, or part thereof, approved by the cabinet[Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services] as equipped to provide full-time residential care and treatment for mentally ill persons or individuals with an intellectual disability; or (b) A hospital, institution, or health-care facility of the government of …
Sponsors
- Mitch Whitaker (R, HD-094) · primary sponsor
- Beverly Chester-Burton (D, HD-044)
- Daniel Grossberg (D, HD-030)
- Bill Wesley (R, HD-091)
Latest actions
- : to Committee on Committees (S)
- : received in Senate
- : 3rd reading, passed 94-0 with Floor Amendment (1)
- : posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Monday, February 23 2026
- : floor amendment (1) filed
- : 2nd reading, to Rules
- : reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar
- : to Judiciary (H)
- : to Committee on Committees (H)
- : introduced in House
Votes
- House: Pass RCS# 129 (February 23, 2026): 94 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Criminal Procedure, Courts, Courts, Circuit, Local Mandate, Corrections Impact, Civil Procedure, Mental Health
Common questions
- What is HB249?
- HB249 is a bill in the Kentucky Legislature (2026 Regular Session): AN ACT relating to involuntary commitment.
- What does HB249 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to involuntary commitment.
- What is the status of HB249?
- In committee as of February 24, 2026. Latest action: to Committee on Committees (S) (February 24, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB249?
- Mitch Whitaker (R, HD-094), with 3 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB249?
- On the Kentucky Legislature website: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26rs/hb249.html
Source: official Kentucky record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.