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HB 442 Kentucky House · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT relating to privacy for attorneys involved in criminal actions.

Summary
Amend KRS 61.7991 to add state and federal prosecutors and public defenders to the definition of "covered person"; authorize standing for a civil action for injunctive or declaratory relief for unauthorized disclosure; provide that the removal of information does not apply to financial disclosures required under KRS Chapter 61.
Issues: ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands privacy protections for attorneys in criminal cases, safeguarding attorney-client confidentiality and defendant rights, aligning with criminal justice reform principles.95% confidence
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
House Passage
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 20, 2026 Last action Mar 18, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Current/Final · 6 edits
MODERATE
The bill was fundamentally rewritten to shift from protecting criminal defense attorneys to establishing a 'Safe at Home Program' for victims of domestic violence, human trafficking, stalking, sexual assault, and other sexual crimes. The new version creates a formal application process where victims can request a designated mailing address to replace their home address in public records to protect their safety. It also mandates background checks for program administrators and sets a four-year certification period for participants.
Scope change
The bill's scope changed from protecting attorneys and their families to protecting victims of specific crimes and their households.
SCOPE

The primary subject of the bill changed from 'attorneys involved in criminal actions' to 'victims of specified offenses' such as domestic violence and sexual assault.

All provisions protecting judges, prosecutors, and public defenders were removed.

DEFINITION

New definitions were added for the 'Safe at Home Program,' 'covered persons' (now victims), and specific crimes like human trafficking and stalking.

REQUIREMENT

A new requirement was added for the Secretary of State to conduct criminal background checks on program administrators using fingerprint data.

ELIGIBILITY

Eligibility now includes victims of specific crimes and anyone residing with them, whereas the old version included judges and prosecutors.

TIMELINE

The program certification is now set for a four-year period with a renewal process, replacing the previous indefinite or undefined status.

Floor votes · House Mar 17, 2026

How they voted

94–4
Passed · 7 other
Total votes 105
Mar 17, 2026
D Democratic21
14 Yea 4 Nay 3
66% Yea
R Republican84
80 Yea 4
95% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
10
Key actions
2
Committee
4
Amendments
1
Mar 18, 2026
Committee
to Committee on Committees (S)
upper
Mar 17, 2026
Lower · Passed
3rd reading, passed 89-4 with Committee Substitute (1) and Floor Amendment (1)
lower
Mar 12, 2026
Introduced
floor amendment (1) filed to Committee Substitute
lower
Mar 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute (1)
lower
Jan 28, 2026
Committee
to Judiciary (H)
lower
Jan 20, 2026
Committee
to Committee on Committees (H)
lower
Jan 20, 2026
Introduced
introduced in House
lower
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.