Kentucky legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Kentucky HB185: AN ACT relating to employment and declaring an emergency.
Status: Signed into law, April 10, 2026
Create new sections of KRS Chapter 335B.010 to 335B.070 to require hiring or licensing authorities to establish an application process that gives persons convicted of a crime an opportunity to obtain a determination about whether the crime will disqualify the individual from a position of public employment or occupational license before pursuing employment or training; require hiring or licensing authorities to formulate policies and procedures for the application process by promulgating regulations no later than January 1, 2027; provide an annual report to the Legislative Research Commission by November 1, 2027; provide that certain entities are exempted from the requirements of the application process; amend KRS 335B.020 to add criteria for hiring and licensing authorities to consider when determining if a conviction directly relates to the position of public employment or occupational license sought; amend KRS 335B.030 to require hiring or licensing authorities to evaluate information and provide written findings of fact to the applicant upon determination.
What the bill says
An act relating to employment.
From the engrossed text:
AN ACT relating to employment. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky: SECTION 1. A NEW SECTION OF KRS 335B.010 TO 335B.070 IS CREATED TO READ AS FOLLOWS: The General Assembly finds a compelling public interest in removing barriers to employment opportunities and occupational licenses for citizens of the Commonwealth who have been convicted of a crime. Employers can increase their hiring prospects by offering positions to this historically untapped pool of workers who have taken rehabilitative steps in preparation for participation in the workforce so they may reenter society as productive citizens rather than being defined by a past crime. SECTION 2. A NEW SECTION OF KRS 335B.010 TO 335B.070 IS CREATED TO READ AS FOLLOWS: (1) Any hiring or licensing authority that considers a criminal background check as part of its application process shall establish and implement a process by which an individual who has been convicted of a crime can obtain a determination about whether the crime will disqualify the individual from a position of public employment or an occupation for which a professional license is required. (2) When a criminal background check is required by a hiring or licensing authority under subsection (1) of this section, an individual may submit his or her application and have that application considered by the …
Sponsors
- Emily Callaway (R, HD-037) · primary sponsor
- Jared Bauman (R, HD-028)
- Robert Duvall (R, HD-017)
- Matthew Koch (R, HD-072)
- T.J. Roberts (R, HD-066)
- Walker Thomas (R, HD-008)
Latest actions
- : signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 72)
- : delivered to Governor
- : enrolled, signed by President of the Senate
- : enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House
- : passed 91-0
- : House concurred in Committee Substitute (1) and Committee Amendment (1-title)
- : posted for passage for concurrence in Senate Committee Substitute (1) and Committee Amendment (1-title)
- : to Rules (H)
- : received in House
- : 3rd reading, passed 37-0 with Committee Substitute (1) and Committee Amendment (1-title)
Votes
- House: Final Passage RCS# 366 (March 31, 2026): 91 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Senate: PASS HB 185 w/ SCS 1, SCA 1 (T) (SCS 1) RSN# 3967 (March 20, 2026): 37 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House: Pass RCS# 128 (February 23, 2026): 95 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: State Agencies, Crimes And Punishments, Occupations And Professions, State Employees, Licensing, Personnel And Employment, Background Checks, Administrative Regulations And Proceedings
Common questions
- What is HB185?
- HB185 is a bill in the Kentucky Legislature (2026 Regular Session): AN ACT relating to employment and declaring an emergency.
- What does HB185 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to employment.
- What is the status of HB185?
- Signed into law as of April 10, 2026. Latest action: signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 72) (April 10, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB185?
- Emily Callaway (R, HD-037), with 5 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB185?
- On the Kentucky Legislature website: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26rs/hb185.html
Source: official Kentucky record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.