Kentucky legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Kentucky HB531: AN ACT relating to coordination of refugee assistance.
Status: In committee, February 6, 2026
Create a new section of KRS Chapter 194A to define "department"; require the Department for Community Based Services to administer funds received under the Refugee Act of 1980; implement a statewide strategy to ensure compliance with the Refugee Act; serve as the primary liaison between immigrant-serving organizations, refugee-serving organizations, and the federal government; advise the Governor, appropriate state agencies, cabinet members, and the General Assembly; submit an annual report to the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security and the Legislative Research; allow the department to promulgate administrative regulations; require information from the Kentucky Department of Education for the report; direct that the first report to the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security and the Legislative Research Commission be issued by July 1, 2027.
What the bill says
An act relating to coordination of refugee assistance.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT relating to coordination of refugee assistance. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky: SECTION 1. A NEW SECTION OF KRS CHAPTER 194A IS CREATED TO READ AS FOLLOWS: (1) As used in this section, "department" means the Department for Community Based Services. (2) The department shall administer funds received under the Refugee Act of 1980, U.S.C. sec. 1521 et seq. (3) The department shall: (a) Implement a statewide strategy to ensure compliance with the Refugee Act of 1980; (b) Work with localities to coordinate and support local efforts that align and comply with the Refugee Act of 1980; (c) Serve as the primary liaison between immigrant-serving and refugeeserving organizations and businesses and the federal government; (d) Advise the Governor, appropriate state agencies, cabinet members, and the General Assembly on ways to improve state policies with respect to administering funds pursuant to the Refugee Act of 1980; (e) Make recommendations to the Governor on whether to accept and where to settle refugees based on available housing; and (f) Submit an annual report to the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security, and to the Legislative Research Commission for referral to the Interim Joint Committees on Appropriations and Revenue, State Government, Health Services, and Families and Children, that includes: 1. The total number of refugees settled in …
Sponsors
- Jared Bauman (R, HD-028) · primary sponsor
- Jason Nemes (R, HD-033)
Latest actions
- : to State Government (H)
- : to Committee on Committees (H)
- : introduced in House
Subjects: State Agencies, Education, Elementary And Secondary, Reports Mandated, Immigration, Federal Laws And Regulations, Public Assistance, Public Health
Common questions
- What is HB531?
- HB531 is a bill in the Kentucky Legislature (2026 Regular Session): AN ACT relating to coordination of refugee assistance.
- What does HB531 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to coordination of refugee assistance.
- What is the status of HB531?
- In committee as of February 6, 2026. Latest action: to State Government (H) (February 6, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB531?
- Jared Bauman (R, HD-028), with 1 co-sponsor.
- Where is the official record for HB531?
- On the Kentucky Legislature website: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26rs/hb531.html
Source: official Kentucky record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.