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HB 87 Kentucky House · 2025 Regular Session

AN ACT relating to employment.

Summary
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 training; require hiring or licensing authorities to formulate policies and procedures for the application process by promulgating regulations no later than January 1, 2026; and provide an annual report to the Legislative Research Commission by November 1, 2026; 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 request information; allow an applicant a hearing before making a determination of hiring for a position of public employment or granting an occupational license; and provide written findings of fact to the applicant upon determination.
Issues: ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill removes automatic disqualification for employment/licenses post-conviction, aiding reentry and reducing recidivism - core criminal justice reform principle.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEnables criminal record applicants to challenge disqualification before training, promoting fair employment access under licensing and personnel standards.95% confidence
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
House Passage
Feb 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 7, 2025 Last action Mar 14, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Current/Final · 8 edits
MODERATE
This bill updates Kentucky's background check laws for employment and licensing to give hiring authorities more flexibility in evaluating criminal records. It requires authorities to create clear application processes, notify applicants about potential disqualifications, and consider multiple factors like the nature of the crime, time passed, and rehabilitation efforts before making decisions.
Scope change
The bill applies to all hiring and licensing authorities in Kentucky that require criminal background checks for public employment or occupational licenses.
REQUIREMENT

Hiring authorities must establish and implement a process for individuals with criminal convictions to determine if their crime disqualifies them from employment or licensing.

Authorities must display their application policies and procedures on their websites regarding criminal background checks.

Applicants must be notified within 14 days of application or interview about potential disqualification due to criminal convictions.

Educational institutions providing training for licensed occupations must be notified about background check policies.

When evaluating criminal records, authorities must consider multiple factors including nature of crime, age at offense, time passed, relationship to job duties, employment history, financial responsibilities, rehabilitation efforts, character references, and bonding requirements.

Decisions about criminal records must remain binding on authorities for subsequent applications unless there is an adverse change in the criminal record.

TIMELINE

Hiring authorities must formulate policies and promulgate regulations by January 1, 2026, and report to the Legislative Research Commission by November 1, 2026.

ELIGIBILITY

Disqualification based on prior convictions now requires the crime to directly relate to the specific position or occupation sought.

Floor votes · House Feb 28, 2025

How they voted

96–0
Passed · 8 other
Total votes 104
Feb 28, 2025
D Democratic21
19 Yea 2
90% Yea
R Republican83
77 Yea 6
92% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
13
Key actions
3
Committee
6
Amendments
1
Mar 14, 2025
Introduced
floor amendment (1) filed to Committee Substitute
lower
Mar 13, 2025
Lower · Passed
reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar
lower
Mar 6, 2025
Committee
to Licensing & Occupations (S)
upper
Mar 4, 2025
Committee
to Committee on Committees (S)
upper
Feb 28, 2025
Lower · Passed
3rd reading, passed 92-0 with Committee Substitute (1)
lower
Feb 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute (1)
lower
Feb 4, 2025
Committee
to Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations (H)
lower
Jan 7, 2025
Committee
to Committee on Committees (H)
lower
Jan 7, 2025
Introduced
introduced in House
lower
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.