Kentucky legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Kentucky HB915: AN ACT relating to a jury trial when a child is removed from a parent.
Status: In committee, March 11, 2026
Amend KRS 625.080 to allow a parent to request a jury trial for a termination of parental rights determination; require jurors to take an oath of confidentiality under penalty of contempt of court; allow jury to make findings of fact and recommendations to the court.
What the bill says
An act relating to a jury trial when a child is removed from a parent.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT relating to a jury trial when a child is removed from a parent. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky: Section 1. KRS 625.080 is amended to read as follows: In any involuntary action for termination of parental rights: (1) The hearing for termination of parental rights in Circuit Court shall be[conduct a] private[ hearing. An official stenographic or mechanical record shall be made of the proceedings and retained for a period of five (5) years]. If a trial by the court is conducted, the court shall make findings of fact and conclusions of law, which may be made on the record, to support its judgment; (2) The parents shall have the right to request a jury trial. If a trial by jury is elected: (a) The oath to the jurors shall include an affirmation to keep all aspects of the proceeding confidential, and the court shall instruct the jury that a violation of confidentiality may result in a finding of contempt of court, which may be punishable by fine, imprisonment, or both; and (b) The jury shall make findings of fact and recommendations to the court for entry of a judgment; (3)[(2)] (a) Any child to whom an involuntary action directly relates shall be made a party to the action and a …
Sponsors
- Josh Calloway (R, HD-010) · primary sponsor
- T.J. Roberts (R, HD-066)
- Candy Massaroni (R, HD-050)
Latest actions
- : to Judiciary (H)
- : to Committee on Committees (H)
- : introduced in House
Subjects: Domestic Relations, Parental Rights, Courts, Family, Courts, Circuit
Common questions
- What is HB915?
- HB915 is a bill in the Kentucky Legislature (2026 Regular Session): AN ACT relating to a jury trial when a child is removed from a parent.
- What does HB915 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to a jury trial when a child is removed from a parent.
- What is the status of HB915?
- In committee as of March 11, 2026. Latest action: to Judiciary (H) (March 11, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB915?
- Josh Calloway (R, HD-010), with 2 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB915?
- On the Kentucky Legislature website: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26rs/hb915.html
Source: official Kentucky record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.