Kentucky legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Kentucky SB131: AN ACT relating to wrongful conviction compensation.
Status: In committee, February 27, 2026
Create new sections of KRS Chapter 411 to establish a cause of action for a person who was wrongfully convicted of a felony in the Commonwealth; specify amounts of damages that may be awarded to claimants; establish the wrongful conviction compensation fund.
What the bill says
An act relating to wrongful conviction compensation.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT relating to wrongful conviction compensation. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky: SECTION 1. A NEW SECTION OF KRS CHAPTER 411 IS CREATED TO READ AS FOLLOWS: (1) As used in this section, "claimant" means a person convicted and subsequently imprisoned for one (1) or more crimes that the person did not commit. (2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a claimant may bring an action in the Circuit Court of the county in which the conviction occurred seeking damages from the Commonwealth pursuant to this section. (3) (a) In an action under this section, the claimant shall establish each of the following by a preponderance of the evidence: 1. The claimant was convicted of a felony crime by the Commonwealth and subsequently incarcerated; 2. a. The claimant's conviction was reversed or vacated, and either the charges were dismissed or on retrial the court entered a judgment of not guilty; or b. The claimant was granted a full and unconditional pardon by the Governor on grounds consistent with innocence; and 3. The claimant did not commit the crime for which the claimant was convicted and was not an accessory or accomplice to the acts that were the basis of the conviction. (b) The court may give due consideration to difficulties of proof caused …
Sponsors
- Robin Webb (R, SD-018) · primary sponsor
- Steve Rawlings (R, SD-011)
- Gary Clemons (D, SD-037)
- Gerald Neal (D, SD-033)
- Lindsey Tichenor (R, SD-006)
Latest actions
- : recommitted to Appropriations & Revenue (S)
- : 2nd reading, to Rules
- : reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar
- : to Judiciary (S)
- : to Committee on Committees (S)
- : introduced in Senate
Subjects: State Agencies, Funds, Courts, Corrections And Correctional Facilities, State, Courts, Circuit, Budget And Financial Administration, Corrections Impact, Civil Actions
Common questions
- What is SB131?
- SB131 is a bill in the Kentucky Legislature (2026 Regular Session): AN ACT relating to wrongful conviction compensation.
- What does SB131 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to wrongful conviction compensation.
- What is the status of SB131?
- In committee as of February 27, 2026. Latest action: recommitted to Appropriations & Revenue (S) (February 27, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB131?
- Robin Webb (R, SD-018), with 4 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB131?
- On the Kentucky Legislature website: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26rs/sb131.html
Source: official Kentucky record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.