Kentucky legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Kentucky HB646: AN ACT relating to the use of pharmaceuticals to intentionally terminate life.
Status: In committee, February 23, 2026
Amend KRS 218A.100 to place an abortion-inducing drug in Schedule IV; amend KRS 218A.1413 to include an abortion-inducing drug in the offense of trafficking in a controlled substance in the second degree; amend KRS 218A.1415 to include an abortion-inducing drug in the offense of possession of a controlled substance in the first degree, except when in the possession of a pregnant woman for her own personal use; create a new section of KRS Chapter 218A to establish the offense of importing an abortion-inducing drug amend KRS 216.302 to include providing any drug, medication, or other substance as a means of assisting another person to commit or attempt to commit suicide; increase the penalty from a Class D felony to a Class B felony when the act is done knowingly by force or duress and from a Class C to a Class B felony when a person knowingly or intentionally provides the physical means or participates in a physical act by which another person commits or attempts suicide; create a new section of KRS 216.300 to 216.308 to establish the offense of medically assisted aid in dying as a Class B felony; amend KRS 216.308 to provide for the revocation of a license upon a criminal conviction or plea of guilty of assisted suicide or medically assisted aid in dying; create a new section of KRS Chapter 411 to provide a civil cause of action for any person who sustains damages resulting from receiving an abortion-inducing drug; create a new section of KRS Chapter 216B to require the distribution of specified information to any patient who a physician or other healthcare provider believes is experiencing a complication as a result of taking an abortion-inducing drug; require the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to make specified information available on its website.
What the bill says
An act relating to the use of pharmaceuticals to intentionally terminate life.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT relating to the use of pharmaceuticals to intentionally terminate life. WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Kentucky has long recognized a compelling state interest in the protection of human life at all states, born and unborn, and has enacted laws prohibiting assisted suicide, euthanasia, and the intentional termination of the life of an unborn child; and WHEREAS, the laws of this Commonwealth expressly prohibit assisted suicide and the intentional provision of drugs or other means to cause or hasten the death of another person, reflecting this Commonwealth's commitment to preserving life, safeguarding vulnerable populations, and upholding ethical standards in medicine and pharmacy; and WHEREAS, the laws of this Commonwealth further prohibit the termination of the life of an unborn child and strictly regulate abortion-inducing drugs, recognizing the inherent dignity of human life and the significant medical, psychological, and societal harm associated with chemical abortion; and WHEREAS, pharmaceutical agents capable of terminating human life, including abortion-inducing drugs and drugs used for assisted suicide or euthanasia, pose unique risks of coercion, misuse, trafficking, and exploitation, particularly when distributed outside of the traditional physician-patient relationship; and WHEREAS, pregnant women and families, minors, elderly persons, individuals with disabilities, and those experiencing mental or emotional distress are particularly vulnerable to deceptive marketing practices, coercion, and undue influence involving pharmaceuticals intended to terminate life; and WHEREAS, …
Sponsors
- Nancy Tate (R, HD-027) · primary sponsor
- T.J. Roberts (R, HD-066)
- Shane Baker (R, HD-085)
- Kimberly Banta (R, HD-063)
- Jennifer Decker (R, HD-058)
- Steven Doan (R, HD-069)
- Ryan Dotson (R, HD-073)
- Daniel Fister (R, HD-056)
- Gordon, Deanna (R, HD-081)
- David Hale (R, HD-074)
- John Hodgson (R, HD-036)
- Thomas Huff (R, HD-049)
Latest actions
- : to Judiciary (H)
- : to Committee on Committees (H)
- : introduced in House
Subjects: State Agencies, Crimes And Punishments, Drugs And Medicines, Licensing, Health And Medical Services, Corrections Impact, Civil Actions
Common questions
- What is HB646?
- HB646 is a bill in the Kentucky Legislature (2026 Regular Session): AN ACT relating to the use of pharmaceuticals to intentionally terminate life.
- What does HB646 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to the use of pharmaceuticals to intentionally terminate life.
- What is the status of HB646?
- In committee as of February 23, 2026. Latest action: to Judiciary (H) (February 23, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB646?
- Nancy Tate (R, HD-027), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB646?
- On the Kentucky Legislature website: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26rs/hb646.html
Source: official Kentucky record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.