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HB 521 Kentucky House · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT relating to crimes and punishments.

Summary
Amend KRS 508.130 to define "course of conduct" and "social media platform"; establish elements of the crime of stalking and penalize as a Class D felony unless certain aggravating circumstances are met, in which case it is a Class C felony; provide that the Act shall not affect the validity of restraining orders, interpersonal protective orders, or domestic violence orders in place prior to the effective date of the Act; repeal KRS 508.140 and 508.150, relating to stalking in the first and second degrees; amend KRS 14.300, 23A.208, 24A.178, 431.005, 411.220, 456.010, 500.092, 500.120, 506.160, 508.155, and 532.080 to conform.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
House Passage
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Jan 27, 2026 Signed Apr 10, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Current/Final · 4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was renamed from a stalking-specific act to a broader crimes and punishments act. The definition of stalking was significantly expanded to include modern digital harassment methods like social media, email, and internet applications. Additionally, the penalty for stalking was increased from a Class D felony to a Class C felony in cases where a protective order is already in place or a criminal complaint is pending.
Scope change
The bill's scope broadened from focusing solely on stalking to encompassing general crimes and punishments, while simultaneously expanding the specific definition of stalking to cover digital conduct.
SCOPE

The title of the act was changed from 'relating to stalking' to 'relating to crimes and punishments', indicating a broader legislative intent.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'course of conduct' was updated to explicitly include digital acts such as using social media platforms, email, text messages, internet applications, and cameras.

A new definition for 'social media platform' was added to clarify what constitutes a digital space where stalking can occur.

ENFORCEMENT

The penalty for stalking was increased to a Class C felony (from Class D) when a protective order exists or a criminal complaint is pending against the defendant.

Floor votes · House Feb 25, 2026

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
25
Key actions
10
Committee
9
Apr 10, 2026
Signed into law
signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 67)
lower
Apr 1, 2026
Upper · Passed
enrolled, signed by President of the Senate
upper
Apr 1, 2026
Lower · Passed
enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House
lower
Mar 31, 2026
Lower · Passed
passed 91-0
lower
Mar 31, 2026
Lower · Passed
House concurred in Committee Substitute (1) and Committee Amendment (1-title)
lower
Mar 31, 2026
Lower · Passed
posted for passage for concurrence in Senate Committee Substitute (1) and committee amendment (1-title)
lower
Mar 31, 2026
Committee
to Rules (H)
lower
Mar 31, 2026
Lower · Passed
3rd reading, passed 38-0 with Committee Substitute (1) and Committee Amendment (1-title)
lower
Mar 26, 2026
Lower · Passed
reported favorably, 2nd reading, to Rules with Committee Substitute (1) and Committee Amendment (1-title) as a consent bill
lower
Mar 16, 2026
Committee
to Judiciary (S)
upper
Feb 26, 2026
Committee
to Committee on Committees (S)
upper
Feb 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
3rd reading, passed 96-0
lower
Feb 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar
lower
Feb 3, 2026
Committee
to Judiciary (H)
lower
Jan 27, 2026
Committee
to Committee on Committees (H)
lower
Jan 27, 2026
Introduced
introduced in House
lower
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.