Kentucky legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Kentucky SB122: AN ACT relating to judicial proceedings.
Status: Signed into law, April 10, 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 Chapters 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 judicial proceedings.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT relating to judicial proceedings. 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. KRS 533.010 is amended to read as follows: (1) Any person who has been convicted of a crime and who has not been sentenced to death may be sentenced to …
Sponsors
- Julie Raque Adams (R, SD-036) · primary sponsor
- Brandon Storm (R, SD-021)
- Gerald Neal (D, SD-033)
Latest actions
- : signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 92)
- : delivered to Governor
- : enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House
- : enrolled, signed by President of the Senate
- : passed 37-0
- : Senate concurred in Floor Amendment (1) and Floor Amendment (2-title)
- : posted for passage for concurrence in House Floor Amendments (1) and (2-title)
- : to Rules (S)
- : received in Senate
- : 3rd reading, passed 83-7 with Floor Amendment (1) and Floor Amendment (2-title)
Votes
- Senate: FINAL PASSAGE OF SB 122 w/ HFA 1, HFA 2 (T) (HFA 1) RSN# 4081 (March 31, 2026): 37 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House: Pass RCS# 354 (March 27, 2026): 83 yea, 7 nay, passed
- Senate: PASS SB 122 w/ SFA 1 (SFA 1) RSN# 3856 (February 25, 2026): 35 yea, 2 nay, passed
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 SB122?
- SB122 is a bill in the Kentucky Legislature (2026 Regular Session): AN ACT relating to judicial proceedings.
- What does SB122 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to judicial proceedings.
- What is the status of SB122?
- Signed into law as of April 10, 2026. Latest action: signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 92) (April 10, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB122?
- Julie Raque Adams (R, SD-036), with 2 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB122?
- On the Kentucky Legislature website: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26rs/sb122.html
Source: official Kentucky record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.