HB 479 Kentucky House · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT relating to hate crimes.

Summary
Repeal and reenact KRS 532.031 to define "gender identity or expression"; list the actions that qualify as hate crimes; list the actual or perceived characteristics a person must have in order to qualify as a victim of a hate crime; outline penalties for a person guilty of a hate crime; set forth criteria for seeking an enhanced sentence; amend KRS 15.334 and to add characteristics of a victim to be considered when determining the cause of a crime; add a requirement that officers receive training on hate crimes; create a new section of KRS Chapter 411 to permit a civil action where the victim of a hate crime suffers damages regardless of the outcome of any criminal proceeding; establish recovery for the victim; amend KRS 17.1523 to add characteristics of a victim to be considered when determining the cause of a crime; amend KRS 15.440 to require that a unit of government shall possess a written policy and procedures manual related to hate crimes in order to receive funds from the Law Enforcement Foundation Program fund; repeal KRS 49.320, relating to victim of hate crime deemed victim of criminally injurious conduct.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 22, 2026 Last action Jan 30, 2026
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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
3
Key actions
0
Committee
2
Jan 30, 2026
Committee
to Judiciary (H)
lower
Jan 22, 2026
Committee
to Committee on Committees (H)
lower
Jan 22, 2026
Introduced
introduced in House
lower
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

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