AN ACT relating to children.

SB 229 updates Kentucky's child custody law (KRS 405.020) to replace gendered terms like "father and mother" with gender-neutral language, such as "parents" or "parent." This change directly affects all parents, children, and courts handling custody cases under this statute, ensuring the law applies equally regardless of parental gender. The bill modifies existing custody provisions (including joint custody, survivor custody, and de facto custodian rules) by updating the language to be inclusive, without altering the substantive custody rules or requirements. It does not create new legal standards but aligns the statute's wording with modern, neutral terminology.