Kentucky legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Kentucky HB402: AN ACT relating to workers' compensation.
Status: In committee, January 23, 2026
Amend KRS 342.610 to remove the presumption that the use of an illegal substance prior to an accident caused the injury; provide that the use of an illegal substance shall be the proximate cause of the injury.
What the bill says
An act relating to workers' compensation.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT relating to workers' compensation. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky: Section 1. KRS 342.610 is amended to read as follows: (1) Every employer subject to this chapter shall be liable for compensation for injury, occupational disease, or death without regard to fault as a cause of the injury, occupational disease, or death. (2) A contractor who subcontracts all or any part of a contract and his or her carrier shall be liable for the payment of compensation to the employees of the subcontractor unless the subcontractor primarily liable for the payment of such compensation has secured the payment of compensation as provided for in this chapter. Any contractor or his or her carrier who shall become liable for such compensation may recover the amount of such compensation paid and necessary expenses from the subcontractor primarily liable therefor. A person who contracts with another: (a) To have work performed consisting of the removal, excavation, or drilling of soil, rock, or mineral, or the cutting or removal of timber from land; or (b) To have work performed of a kind which is a regular or recurrent part of the work of the trade, business, occupation, or profession of such person; shall for the purposes of this section be deemed a contractor, and such other …
Sponsors
- Alan Gentry (D, HD-046) · primary sponsor
- Chad Aull (D, HD-079)
- Tina Bojanowski (D, HD-032)
- Adrielle Camuel (D, HD-093)
- Beverly Chester-Burton (D, HD-044)
- Anne Donworth (D, HD-076)
- Daniel Grossberg (D, HD-030)
- Erika Hancock (D, HD-057)
- Nima Kulkarni (D, HD-040)
- Matthew Lehman (D, HD-067)
- Rachel Roarx (D, HD-038)
- Joshua Watkins (D, HD-042)
Latest actions
- : to Economic Development & Workforce Investment (H)
- : to Committee on Committees (H)
- : introduced in House
Subjects: Drugs And Medicines, Local Mandate, Labor And Industry, Workers Compensation, Occupational Safety And Health, Workforce
Common questions
- What is HB402?
- HB402 is a bill in the Kentucky Legislature (2026 Regular Session): AN ACT relating to workers' compensation.
- What does HB402 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to workers' compensation.
- What is the status of HB402?
- In committee as of January 23, 2026. Latest action: to Economic Development & Workforce Investment (H) (January 23, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB402?
- Alan Gentry (D, HD-046), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB402?
- On the Kentucky Legislature website: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26rs/hb402.html
Source: official Kentucky record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.