Kentucky legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Kentucky HB624: AN ACT relating to vacant and abandoned property.
Status: In committee, February 19, 2026
Create a new section of KRS Chapter 61 to define "law enforcement officer"; allow a law enforcement officer to enter vacant and abandoned property to arrest or remove any person unlawfully occupying the property; specify when property shall be presumed vacant and abandoned; provide criminal and civil immunity to a law enforcement officer acting in good faith.
What the bill says
An act relating to vacant and abandoned property.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT relating to vacant and abandoned property. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky: SECTION 1. A NEW SECTION OF KRS CHAPTER 61 IS CREATED TO READ AS FOLLOWS: (1) As used in this section, "law enforcement officer" means a member of a lawfully organized police unit or police force of city, county, urban-county government, consolidated local government, or charter county government who is responsible for the detection of crime and the enforcement of the general criminal laws of the Commonwealth, as well as a sheriff and a sworn deputy sheriff. (2) A law enforcement officer may, without delay or advance notice, enter in or upon vacant and abandoned property to secure the property and arrest or remove any person unlawfully occupying the property. (3) Real property shall be presumed vacant and abandoned under this section if a legal resident or other person legally entitled to occupy the property has not resided at the property for a period of forty-five (45) or more consecutive days and two (2) or more of the following or similar circumstances which would lead a reasonable person to believe that the property is vacant (b) Accumulation of flyers, mail, or trash; (c) Disconnected utilities; (d) The absence of window coverings or furniture; (e) Uncorrected hazardous conditions or vandalism; or …
Sponsors
- Rachel Roarx (D, HD-038) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : to Judiciary (H)
- : to Committee on Committees (H)
- : introduced in House
Subjects: Property, Criminal Procedure, Peace Officers And Law Enforcement, Sheriffs, Police, City And County, Local Government
Common questions
- What is HB624?
- HB624 is a bill in the Kentucky Legislature (2026 Regular Session): AN ACT relating to vacant and abandoned property.
- What does HB624 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to vacant and abandoned property.
- What is the status of HB624?
- In committee as of February 19, 2026. Latest action: to Judiciary (H) (February 19, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB624?
- Rachel Roarx (D, HD-038).
- Where is the official record for HB624?
- On the Kentucky Legislature website: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26rs/hb624.html
Source: official Kentucky record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.