SB 122 Kentucky Senate · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT relating to judicial proceedings.

Summary
Create a new section of KRS Chapter 533 to define terms; require the court, upon conviction of the defendant, to consider the defendant's status as a caretaker of a dependent child; provide that a court's determination of a defendant's status as a caretaker of a dependent child shall not be admissible as evidence or be determinative in any subsequent proceeding; provide that the defendant shall have the right to present an alternative sentencing plan and a family impact statement to the court; provide that in issuing an alternative sentence, the court may require the defendant to participate in programs and services that support the parent-child relationship; provide that the court may modify or revoke the alternative sentence and commit the defendant to an institution if the defendant fails to adhere to or complete the conditions of an alternative sentence; amend KRS 610.340 to provide that a court determining whether to impose an alternative sentence for a defendant who is a caretaker of a dependent child has access to court records under KRS Chapters 600 to 645; provide that the Act may be cited as the Family Preservation and Accountability Act.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
House Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Jan 23, 2026 Signed Apr 10, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Current/Final · 6 edits
MODERATE
The bill was significantly rewritten to shift its focus from creating a new section on alternative sentences for caretakers to amending an existing statute regarding general judicial proceedings. The new version broadens eligibility by removing specific restrictions related to violent felons and expanding the definition of who qualifies for alternative sentencing to include any person awaiting sentencing, not just parents or pregnant women. It also updates the criteria courts must consider when deciding whether to grant probation or alternative sentences.
Scope change
The bill's scope changed from a narrowly targeted program for 'caretakers of dependent children' to a broader amendment of general sentencing guidelines applicable to a wider range of defendants.
SCOPE

The bill title and primary purpose changed from 'alternative sentences' for caretakers to 'judicial proceedings' for general sentencing.

ELIGIBILITY

Specific eligibility criteria requiring the defendant to be a 'caretaker of a dependent child' or a pregnant woman were removed.

Eligibility was expanded to include any person convicted of a crime who has not been sentenced to death.

Exclusions for violent felons and specific statutory prohibitions were removed, making the law more permissive.

REQUIREMENT

The list of factors courts must consider was updated to include general risk assessments and the defendant's history rather than specific child-care factors.

DEFINITION

Detailed definitions for 'caretaker of a dependent child' and 'dependent child' were removed as the specific program was eliminated.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 25, 2026

How they voted

412
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 44
Feb 25, 2026
D Democratic6
6 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican38
35 Yea 2 Nay 1
92% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
25
Key actions
9
Committee
7
Amendments
3
Apr 10, 2026
Signed into law
signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 92)
upper
Mar 31, 2026
Lower · Passed
enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House
lower
Mar 31, 2026
Upper · Passed
enrolled, signed by President of the Senate
upper
Mar 31, 2026
Upper · Passed
passed 37-0
upper
Mar 31, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate concurred in Floor Amendment (1) and Floor Amendment (2-title)
upper
Mar 31, 2026
Introduced
posted for passage for concurrence in House Floor Amendments (1) and (2-title)
upper
Mar 27, 2026
Committee
to Rules (S)
upper
Mar 27, 2026
Upper · Passed
3rd reading, passed 83-7 with Floor Amendment (1) and Floor Amendment (2-title)
upper
Mar 24, 2026
Introduced
floor amendments (1) and (2-title) filed
upper
Mar 19, 2026
Upper · Passed
reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar
upper
Mar 17, 2026
Committee
to Families & Children (H)
lower
Feb 26, 2026
Committee
to Committee on Committees (H)
lower
Feb 25, 2026
Upper · Passed
3rd reading, passed 35-2 with Floor Amendment (1)
upper
Feb 19, 2026
Introduced
floor amendment (1) filed
upper
Jan 29, 2026
Upper · Passed
reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar
upper
Jan 27, 2026
Committee
to Judiciary (S)
upper
Jan 23, 2026
Committee
to Committee on Committees (S)
upper
Jan 23, 2026
Introduced
introduced in Senate
upper
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.