Kentucky legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Kentucky HB464: AN ACT relating to alternative sentences.
Status: In committee, January 29, 2026
Create a new section of KRS Chapter 533 to define terms; require the court, upon conviction of the defendant, to consider the defendant's status as a caretaker of a dependent child; provide that a court's determination of a defendant's status as a caretaker of a dependent child shall not be admissible as evidence or be determinative in any subsequent proceeding; provide that the defendant shall have the right to present an alternative sentencing plan and a family impact statement to the court; provide that in issuing an alternative sentence, the court may require the defendant to participate in programs and services that support the parent-child relationship; provide that the court may modify or revoke the alternative sentence and commit the defendant to an institution if the defendant fails to adhere to or complete the conditions of an alternative sentence; amend KRS 610.340 to provide that a court determining whether to impose an alternative sentence for a defendant who is a caretaker of a dependent child has access to court records under KRS Chapter 600 to 645; provide that the Act may be cited as the Family Preservation and Accountability Act.
What the bill says
An act relating to alternative sentences.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT relating to alternative sentences. WHEREAS, it is the intent of this Commonwealth to promote, strengthen, and encourage family life for the protection and care of children and to maintain the family unit with an emphasis on the parent-child relationship; and WHEREAS, the Commonwealth recognizes that parental incarceration is classified as an adverse childhood experience. Multiple peer-reviewed studies demonstrate that adverse childhood experiences contribute to poor mental and physical health outcomes for children and increase the likelihood that a child will become involved with the criminal justice system; and WHEREAS, to prevent unnecessary harm to children caused by the separation from a parent during incarceration, alternative sentences should be considered before a parent is sentenced to a term of imprisonment; and WHEREAS, this Act shall be interpreted to promote the family unit with an emphasis on maintaining the parent-child relationship by providing mental health treatment, substance use disorder treatment, parenting classes, educational or vocational training, or other services, as appropriate, while ensuring public safety, reducing recidivism, and making any victim whole through restitution; NOW, THEREFORE, Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky: SECTION 1. A NEW SECTION OF KRS CHAPTER 533 IS CREATED TO READ AS FOLLOWS: (1) As used in this section: (a) 1. "Caretaker of a dependent child" means: a. A parent …
Sponsors
- Nick Wilson (R, HD-082) · primary sponsor
- Jared Bauman (R, HD-028)
Latest actions
- : to Judiciary (H)
- : to Committee on Committees (H)
- : introduced in House
Subjects: Short Titles And Popular Names, Criminal Procedure, Crimes And Punishments, Courts, Children And Minors, Parental Rights, Local Mandate, Public Safety
Common questions
- What is HB464?
- HB464 is a bill in the Kentucky Legislature (2026 Regular Session): AN ACT relating to alternative sentences.
- What does HB464 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to alternative sentences.
- What is the status of HB464?
- In committee as of January 29, 2026. Latest action: to Judiciary (H) (January 29, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB464?
- Nick Wilson (R, HD-082), with 1 co-sponsor.
- Where is the official record for HB464?
- On the Kentucky Legislature website: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26rs/hb464.html
Source: official Kentucky record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.