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SB 19 Kentucky Senate · 2025 Regular Session

AN ACT relating to permitted uses of time during the school day.

SB 19 requires all Kentucky public elementary and secondary schools to observe a one- to two-minute silent reflection period at the start of each school day. This applies to every public school in the state, with participation strictly voluntary for students who may choose to meditate, pray, or engage in any silent activity. The policy mandates that teachers cannot instruct students on what to do during this time and requires schools to notify parents about the practice. It amends existing law to formalize this daily reflection period while maintaining neutrality about individual student choices.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Mar 2025
House Passage
Mar 2025
Signed into Law
Mar 2025
Introduced Jan 7, 2025 Signed Mar 27, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Current/Final · 5 edits
MODERATE
The bill was significantly rewritten to shift from a moment of silence provision to a comprehensive moral instruction program. The new version allows school districts to arrange off-campus moral instruction opportunities for students, with specific rules about transportation, liability, and parental consent.
Scope change
The bill's scope changed from a moment of silence requirement to a broader moral instruction program that permits students to leave school property for approved religious or moral instruction.
SCOPE

The bill title and purpose changed from 'moments of silence and reflection' to 'permitted uses of time during the school day' to reflect the new focus on moral instruction programs.

REQUIREMENT

New requirements were added for districts to allow students to be excused for up to one hour per week to attend district-approved moral instruction, including transportation time.

New rules require moral instruction to occur off school property and participation must be voluntary without coercion from school staff.

New requirements mandate that organizations providing moral instruction submit detailed written requests including contact information, location details, transportation plans, and liability waivers.

New provisions require organizations to indemnify and hold harmless school districts and employees from any claims related to moral instruction programs or transportation.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 25, 2025

How they voted

36–6
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 43
Feb 25, 2025
D Democratic6
2 Yea 4 Nay
66% Nay
R Republican37
34 Yea 2 Nay 1
91% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
42
Key actions
15
Committee
13
Amendments
3
Mar 27, 2025
Lower · Passed
enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House
lower
Mar 27, 2025
Upper · Passed
enrolled, signed by President of the Senate
upper
Mar 27, 2025
Upper · Passed
passed 74-17
upper
Mar 27, 2025
Vetoed
posted for consideration of Governor's veto
upper
Mar 27, 2025
Committee
to Rules (H)
lower
Mar 27, 2025
Upper · Passed
passed 29-8
upper
Mar 27, 2025
Vetoed
veto overridden
upper
Mar 27, 2025
Vetoed
posted for passage for consideration of Governor's veto
upper
Mar 27, 2025
Committee
to Rules (S)
upper
Mar 26, 2025
Vetoed
Vetoed
upper
Mar 14, 2025
Lower · Passed
enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House
lower
Mar 14, 2025
Upper · Passed
enrolled, signed by President of the Senate
upper
Mar 14, 2025
Upper · Passed
passed 26-10
upper
Mar 14, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate concurred in House Committee Substitute (1) and Committee Amendment (1-title)
upper
Mar 14, 2025
Upper · Passed
posted for passage for concurrence in House Committee Substitute (1) and Committee Amendment (1-title)
upper
Mar 13, 2025
Committee
to Rules (S)
upper
Mar 13, 2025
Upper · Passed
3rd reading, passed 72-19 with Committee Substitute (1) and Committee Amendment (1-title)
upper
Mar 13, 2025
Introduced
floor amendments (3) and (4) filed to Committee Substitute
upper
Mar 13, 2025
Upper · Passed
reported favorably, to Rules with Committee Substitute (1) and Committee Amendment (1-title)
upper
Mar 7, 2025
Committee
recommitted to Appropriations & Revenue (H)
lower
Mar 6, 2025
Upper · Passed
reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar
upper
Mar 5, 2025
Committee
to State Government (H)
lower
Mar 4, 2025
Introduced
floor amendment (2) filed
upper
Feb 28, 2025
Introduced
floor amendment (1) filed
upper
Feb 26, 2025
Committee
to Committee on Committees (H)
lower
Feb 25, 2025
Upper · Passed
3rd reading, passed 31-6
upper
Feb 20, 2025
Upper · Passed
reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar
upper
Jan 9, 2025
Committee
to Education (S)
upper
Jan 7, 2025
Committee
to Committee on Committees (S)
upper
Jan 7, 2025
Introduced
introduced in Senate
upper
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.