Kentucky legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Kentucky SB240: AN ACT relating to student rights.
Status: In committee, February 24, 2026
Create a new section of KRS Chapter 158 to define terms and establish student rights related to secular education and religious liberty; direct school districts to establish a formal grievance procedure for students, parents, and staff to report violations of those rights and set minimum requirements for the procedure; create a cause of action for violations of those rights that permits students or parents of students to bring an action for a violation of those rights within 2 years from the date of violation; permit recovery of attorney's fees and costs; waive sovereign and governmental immunity; prohibit retaliation; direct the Kentucky Department of Education to establish model policies, guidance documents, and training materials to assist in implementation by designated dates; direct school districts to provide trainings on compliance during the 2026-2027 school year; amend KRS 158.175 to remove schools' permission to recite the Lord's prayer; remove the requirement for a moment of silence or reflection within the first period of a school day; amend KRS 158.188 to remove references to the Bible and religious aspects of holidays; amend KRS 158.195 to remove the requirement that schools display "In God We Trust" in a prominent location; repeal KRS 158.170, KRS 158.177, and 158.178; provide that the Act may be cited as the Student Secular Bill of Rights.
What the bill says
An act relating to student rights.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT relating to student rights. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky: SECTION 1. A NEW SECTION OF KRS CHAPTER 158 IS CREATED TO READ AS FOLLOWS: (1) As used in this section: (a) "Academic study of religion" means the objective, educational examination of religious traditions, texts, history, or practices for secular scholarly purposes, conducted in a manner that neither promotes nor denigrates any particular religious belief or nonbelief; (b) "Club" means a noncurricular student group recognized by the school district and that qualifies through the safe haven provisions of 20 U.S.C sec. 4071(c) for protection under the Equal Access Act; (c) "Coerce" means exerting direct or indirect pressure through official policy, practice, or conduct, which would compel a reasonable student to participate in or refrain from religious exercise against the student's conscience; (d) "Endorsement" means a governmental practice that a reasonable observer would view as government approval, favor, or disapproval of religion or particular religious beliefs; (e) "Nonparticipatory capacity" means presence at a student religious club meeting or event solely for supervisory purposes, as defined in the Equal Access Act, without lecturing, proselytizing, praying, preaching, planning religious events, or otherwise engaging in religious activities; (f) "Official capacity" means when a person or 2. Acting under or with power or authority granted by virtue …
Sponsors
- Karen Berg (D, SD-026) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : to Committee on Committees (S)
- : introduced in Senate
Subjects: State Agencies, Short Titles And Popular Names, Education, Elementary And Secondary, Children And Minors, Parental Rights, Claims, Boards And Commissions, Civil Actions
Common questions
- What is SB240?
- SB240 is a bill in the Kentucky Legislature (2026 Regular Session): AN ACT relating to student rights.
- What does SB240 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to student rights.
- What is the status of SB240?
- In committee as of February 24, 2026. Latest action: to Committee on Committees (S) (February 24, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB240?
- Karen Berg (D, SD-026).
- Where is the official record for SB240?
- On the Kentucky Legislature website: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26rs/sb240.html
Source: official Kentucky record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.