Education

in committee · Kentucky · Senate Jan 16, 2026

SB 105: AN ACT relating to reading and writing in schools.

Amend KRS 158.307 to define "dysgraphia"; require the department to annually update the dyslexia toolkit; require the toolkit to include guidance on dysgraphia and strategies and other resources to be used for students displaying dyslexia and dysgraphia; require universal screeners and diagnostic tools be approved by the department; require each district to use evidence-based instructional strategies to provide intervention services; require school districts to report data to the department; amend KRS 164.304 to require postsecondary institutions offering teacher preparation programs include instruction on the application and implementation of a multitiered system of supports by the 2027-2028 school year.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates dysgraphia resources, evidence-based interventions, and department-approved tools to support students with learning differences in K-12 education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

Track

in committee · Kentucky · House Jan 22, 2026

HB 381: AN ACT relating to disabled and deceased veteran benefits.

Amend KRS 164.507 to allow the nonremarried spouse or a child under the age of 26 of a deceased veteran free tuition at public universities, colleges, or vocational training institutions for up to 128 credit hours of undergraduate instruction; amend KRS 164.515 to allow the spouse or a child under the age of 26 of a disabled veteran free tuition at public universities, colleges, or vocational training institutions for up to 128 credit hours of undergraduate instruction.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides free tuition for veterans' families at public institutions, expanding higher education access and funding for eligible students.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands educational benefits for veteran dependents by providing free tuition at public institutions for up to 128 credits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Higher Education Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits Veteran Education

Track

in committee · Kentucky · House Jan 21, 2026

HB 343: AN ACT relating to contributions made to a Kentucky qualified expense program.

Create a new section to KRS Chapter 141 to provide employers a tax credit for contributions to an employee's Kentucky Educational Savings Plan Trust account or STABLE Kentucky account; amend KRS 141.0205 to specify ordering of the credit; amend KRS 131.190 to allow the Department of Revenue to report on the credit.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesCreates corporate tax credit, reducing state tax revenue and weakening budget through tax relief for businesses rather than public funding.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides tax credit for employer contributions to education savings plans, expanding access to higher education funding and support.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits

Track

in committee · Kentucky · House Jan 13, 2026

HB 17: AN ACT relating to one-time payments to school district employees, making an appropriation therefor, and declaring an emergency.

Direct local school districts to provide a one-time payment of $2,000 to certified employees, excluding superintendents, in each year of the 2026-2028 biennium, and a one-time payment of $1,000 to classified employees in each year of the 2026-2028 biennium; appropriate $153 million from the Budget Reserve Trust Fund account in each year of the 2026-2028 biennium to the Learning and Results Services budget unit to provide the payments; authorize the Department of Education to pro rata reduce payments if the appropriation is insufficient; APPROPRIATION; EMERGENCY.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $153M from Budget Reserve to fund school employee payments, directly increasing education budget appropriations without tax changes.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides direct funding ($2,000/$1,000 payments) to school employees, explicitly appropriating $153M to support educators and classified staff during 2026-2028 biennium.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget School Funding Teachers

Track

passed · Kentucky · House Jan 30, 2026

HB 416: AN ACT relating to educators.

Amend KRS 161.028 to preclude the Education Professional Standards Board from requiring a minimum score on any assessment; require applicants to submit proof of completion of a formative basic skills assessment at the time of application; require applicants to submit results of a formative basic skills assessment prior to their first day of attendance; require the postsecondary institution provide supports for candidates aligned with their formative assessment performance; amend KRS 161.030 to require the Education Professional Standards Board to narrowly tailor content assessments to the area in which an applicant is seeking certification.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves minimum assessment score requirement while mandating formative assessments and institutional support for educator candidates, easing entry barriers and providing targeted assistance.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers Testing & Assessment

Track

in committee · Kentucky · House Jan 13, 2026

HB 19: AN ACT relating to school district employees and declaring an emergency.

Amend KRS 157.420 to preclude the Kentucky Board of Education from approving the working budget or salary schedule of a local board of education unless it incorporates a salary increase for certified and classified staff consistent with the percent increase in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U); EMERGENCY; EFFECTIVE July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates school budgets include CPI-linked salary increases for staff, ensuring funding for education personnel within state fiscal management.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates salary increases for teachers aligned with CPI-U, directly supporting educator compensation and addressing inflation impacts on school budgets.95% confidence

Track

in committee · Kentucky · House Jan 21, 2026

HB 351: AN ACT relating to military-connected educational benefits.

Amend KRS 164.507 to remove degree-seeking requirement for nonremarried spouse and children of a deceased veteran when utilizing educational benefits; require students to use federal grant funds toward tuition prior to the use of the waiver; amend KRS 164.515 to expand educational benefit to include service members with a disability rating of 50% or higher; remove degree-seeking requirement; require students to use federal grant funds toward tuition prior to the use of the waiver.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands educational access for military-connected individuals by removing degree requirements and broadening eligibility for benefits, directly supporting educational access under the topic.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransRemoves degree requirements for veterans' families, expands benefits to 50%+ disability service members, and prioritizes federal grants before waivers, directly advancing veterans' educational access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Military Families Veteran Benefits Veteran Education

Track

in committee · Kentucky · House Jan 21, 2026

HB 357: AN ACT relating to jury duty.

Amend KRS 29A.100 to require judges to excuse teachers from jury duty until the end of the school term if the Commonwealth is experiencing a teacher shortage.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExempts teachers from jury duty during school terms amid shortages, reducing absenteeism and supporting teacher retention in schools.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

Track

in committee · Kentucky · Senate Jan 20, 2026

SB 111: AN ACT relating to physical activity in schools.

Amend KRS 160.345 to define "recess"; require each school council to develop and implement a wellness policy that includes 30 minutes of recess for students in kindergarten through grade 5 to be included as part of each full instructional day and 15 minutes of recess on each early dismissal day allows between 15 and 30 minutes of recess per instructional say for students in grades 6 through 12; allows appropriate supervised physical exercise to be used as a student discipline tool during recess; and prohibits the denial of recess unless participation poses an immediate threat to physical safety; require the wellness policy to be adopted and implemented prior to the first student attendance day of the 2026-27 school year.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates specific recess requirements for K-12 students to promote wellness, enhancing student programs within education policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education School Safety Student Health

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signed · Kentucky · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 4: AN ACT relating to education and declaring an emergency.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 156 to define "department" and "principal"; establish the principal leadership development practicum; require the Kentucky Department of Education to develop and operate the practicum and outline the required components of the practicum; allow for substitution of practicum hours for hours of instruction required by the effective instructional leadership program; begin the practicum requirements with the 2027-2028 school year; authorize the promulgation of administrative regulations for the operation of the practicum; amend KRS 156.101 to conform; amend KRS 161.207 to remove references to the principal internship program and make conforming changes to initial principal certification process; amend KRS 156.492 to remove an outdated reference; require the Kentucky Department of Education to submit a report to the Legislative Research Commission by November 1, 2026, setting out the implementation plan for the practicum.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes mandatory principal leadership development practicum requiring state implementation to strengthen school leadership and instructional programs.95% confidence