Kentucky legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Kentucky HB653: AN ACT relating to civil rights.
Status: In committee, February 24, 2026
Repeal and reenact KRS 344.010 to define terms; amend KRS 344.020, relating to the purpose of the Kentucky's civil rights chapter, to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity; amend KRS 344.025, 344.040, 344.050, 344.060, 344.070, and 344.080, relating to prohibited discrimination in various labor and employment practices, to include discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity; amend KRS 210.033, 344.030, 344.100 and 344.110 to conform; amend KRS 344.120 and 342.140, relating to prohibited discrimination in places of public accommodation and advertisements, to include discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity; amend KRS 344.170, 344.180, 344.190, 344.300, and 344.310, relating to the state and local human rights commissions, to include the prohibition of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity in the scope of their powers and duties; amend KRS 344.360, 344.370, 344.380, and 344.680, relating to prohibited discrimination in certain housing, real estate, and other financial transactions, to include discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity; amend KRS 344.367, relating to prohibited discrimination in certain insurance sales, to include discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity; amend KRS 344.400, relating to prohibited discrimination in certain credit transactions, to include discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity; amend KRS 18A.095 to conform; make technical corrections.
What the bill says
An act relating to civil rights.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT relating to civil rights. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky: SECTION 1. KRS 344.010 IS REPEALED AND REENACTED TO READ AS FOLLOWS: As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise (2) "Commissioner" means a member of the commission; (3) "Credit transaction" means any open-end or closed-end credit transaction, whether in the nature of a loan, retail installment transaction, credit card issue or charge, or otherwise, and whether for personal or business purposes, in which a service, finance, or interest charge is imposed, or which provides for repayment in scheduled payments, when the credit is extended in the regular course of business of any trade or commerce, including but not limited to transactions by banks, savings and loan associations, or other financial lending institutions of whatever nature, stockbrokers, or a merchant or mercantile establishment which as part of its ordinary business permits or provides that payment for purchases of property or services therefrom may be deferred; (4) "Disability" means, with respect to an individual: (a) A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one (1) or more of the major life activities of the individual; (b) A record of such an impairment; or (c) Being regarded as having such an impairment. Persons with current or past controlled substances abuse or alcohol abuse …
Sponsors
- Mary Marzian (D, HD-041) · primary sponsor
- Lisa Willner (D, HD-035)
- Tina Bojanowski (D, HD-032)
- George Brown (D, HD-077)
- Adrielle Camuel (D, HD-093)
- Beverly Chester-Burton (D, HD-044)
- Anne Donworth (D, HD-076)
- Alan Gentry (D, HD-046)
- Erika Hancock (D, HD-057)
- Nima Kulkarni (D, HD-040)
- Matthew Lehman (D, HD-067)
- Rachel Roarx (D, HD-038)
Latest actions
- : to Judiciary (H)
- : to Committee on Committees (H)
- : introduced in House
Subjects: Women, Local Mandate, Real Estate, Men, Civil Rights, Labor And Industry, Landlord And Tenant
Common questions
- What is HB653?
- HB653 is a bill in the Kentucky Legislature (2026 Regular Session): AN ACT relating to civil rights.
- What does HB653 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to civil rights.
- What is the status of HB653?
- In committee as of February 24, 2026. Latest action: to Judiciary (H) (February 24, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB653?
- Mary Marzian (D, HD-041), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB653?
- On the Kentucky Legislature website: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26rs/hb653.html
Source: official Kentucky record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.