Kentucky legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Kentucky SB239: AN ACT relating to children.
Status: In committee, February 24, 2026
Amend KRS 158.1415 to remove provisions related to parental rights and courses, curriculums, or programs on human sexuality; provide for a process for parents to opt out of their child receiving instruction on the subject of human sexuality; amend KRS 158.191 to remove language limiting Kentucky Board of Education or Department of Education policies regarding student confidential information and the use of pronouns; require a local school district to use pronouns for students upon a request from a parent along with a note from a medical provider diagnosing the child with gender dysphoria; remove language concerning parental consent for well-being questionnaires or assessments or a health screening; amend KRS 158.189 to make findings about children and young adults desiring individual privacy; require a school to provide an accommodation to any student who requests an area of individual privacy in restrooms, locker rooms, and shower rooms, regardless of biological sex or gender identity; require school officials to provide an accommodation for individual privacy for children whose gender is different from his or her biological sex and who have a note from a medical provider diagnosing the child with gender dysphoria; permit alternate accommodations upon the parent's request; amend KRS 311.372 to prohibit surgical or medical treatment of a child under the age of 18 years for gender dysphoria, and any nonsurgical medical treatment without the consent of the child's parent or legal guardian; require that the provision of nonsurgical medical treatment to a child under the age of 18 years apply only to a child with a medical diagnosis from a mental health care provider and by a trained and experienced health care provider in collaboration with a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist using only appropriate nonsurgical medical treatments approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for adolescents and that meet evidence-based medical standards.
What the bill says
An act relating to children.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT relating to children. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky: Section 1. KRS 158.1415 is amended to read as follows: (1) If a school council or, if none exists, the principal adopts a curriculum for human sexuality or sexually transmitted diseases, instruction shall include but not be limited to the following content: (a) Abstinence from sexual activity is the desirable goal for all school-age children; (b) Abstinence from sexual activity is the only certain way to avoid unintended pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and other associated health problems; (c) The best way to avoid sexually transmitted diseases and other associated health problems is to establish a permanent mutually faithful monogamous relationship; (d) [A policy to respect parental rights by ensuring that: 1. Except as provided in subsection (4)(b) of this section, children in grade five (5) and below do not receive any instruction through curriculum or programs on human sexuality or sexually transmitted diseases; or 2. Any child, regardless of grade level, enrolled in the district does not receive any instruction or presentation that has a goal or purpose of students studying or exploring gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation; and (e) ]A policy to notify a parent [in advance and obtain the parent's written consent ]before the parent's child in grade six …
Sponsors
- Karen Berg (D, SD-026) · primary sponsor
- Gary Clemons (D, SD-037)
- Keturah Herron (D, SD-035)
- Gerald Neal (D, SD-033)
Latest actions
- : to Committee on Committees (S)
- : introduced in Senate
Subjects: Education, Elementary And Secondary, Children And Minors, Parental Rights, Pharmacists, Health And Medical Services, Public Health, Mental Health
Common questions
- What is SB239?
- SB239 is a bill in the Kentucky Legislature (2026 Regular Session): AN ACT relating to children.
- What does SB239 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to children.
- What is the status of SB239?
- In committee as of February 24, 2026. Latest action: to Committee on Committees (S) (February 24, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB239?
- Karen Berg (D, SD-026), with 3 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB239?
- On the Kentucky Legislature website: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26rs/sb239.html
Source: official Kentucky record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.