Kentucky legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Kentucky HB829: AN ACT relating to moral instruction.
Status: In committee, March 10, 2026
Amend KRS 158.200 to require the board of education of a local school district to allow students to attend moral instruction when the moral instruction offering complies with the requirements enumerated; create a new section of KRS Chapter 158 to authorize the Attorney General to bring an action for a writ of mandamus to compel a board of education to comply; create a cause of action to permit a qualified individual to file a civil action against a board of education for injunctive relief arising from a violation of this Act; permit recovery of monetary damages for a willful and intentional violation; waive sovereign, governmental, and qualified immunity; prohibit retaliation.
What the bill says
An act relating to moral instruction.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT relating to moral instruction. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky: Section 1. KRS 158.200 is amended to read as follows: (1) The boards of education of local school districts shall allow[may provide an opportunity for] pupils to attend moral instruction in their jurisdiction, in the manner provided in this section. (2) (a) Local boards of education shall allow pupils to be excused for at least[up to] one (1) hour [on no more than one (1) day ]each week, which may[shall] include time attributed to travel to and from, to attend a [district-approved request for a ]moral instruction offering that complies with the requirements established under subsection (3) of this section and upon receiving the consent of the pupil's parent or guardian. (b) Moral instruction provided under this section shall not take place on school property, unless permitted under a local school board policy authorizing equal access to the use of school property by public members of the community. (c) Pupil participation in moral instruction shall be voluntary and free from coercion by school personnel. (d) Moral instruction shall be given without expense to any local board of education above de minimis administrative expenses incurred in carrying out this section. (3) An individual, organization, entity, or any combination thereof seeking to provide a …
Sponsors
- Shane Baker (R, HD-085) · primary sponsor
- Jason Petrie (R, HD-016)
- Steven Doan (R, HD-069)
- Daniel Fister (R, HD-056)
- T.J. Roberts (R, HD-066)
Latest actions
- : to Primary and Secondary Education (H)
- : to Committee on Committees (H)
- : introduced in House
Subjects: Education, Elementary And Secondary, Children And Minors, Education, Vocational, Claims, Attorney General, Civil Actions, Religion
Common questions
- What is HB829?
- HB829 is a bill in the Kentucky Legislature (2026 Regular Session): AN ACT relating to moral instruction.
- What does HB829 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to moral instruction.
- What is the status of HB829?
- In committee as of March 10, 2026. Latest action: to Primary and Secondary Education (H) (March 10, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB829?
- Shane Baker (R, HD-085), with 4 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB829?
- On the Kentucky Legislature website: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26rs/hb829.html
Source: official Kentucky record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.