Sen. Keturah Herron

Maddy summarySB 302 amends Kentucky law (KRS 441.540) to replace gendered language like "a person charged with a crime who is" with gender-neutral terms, making the existing jail transfer procedure inclusive. It makes no substantive changes to the process for moving inmates from county jails to state penitentiaries under specific safety concerns. The bill also includes minor technical corrections to the existing statute. This is a procedural update affecting how the law is written, not a change to jail operations or policies.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 46) is a ceremonial gesture by the Kentucky Senate to recognize and congratulate T. Gerard "Gerry" Bradley on his appointment as the 20th president of the University of Louisville. It does not create new laws, policies, or funding; it solely offers formal acknowledgment of his leadership role. The resolution highlights Bradley's educational background, prior academic leadership at Marquette University, and his contributions to the University of Louisville since 2016, including improving student retention and enrollment. It directly affects the University of Louisville community by formally celebrating Bradley's presidency. The Senate passed this resolution on January 22, 2026, as a symbolic gesture.

Amend KRS 158.1415 to remove provisions related to parental rights and courses, curriculums, or programs on human sexuality; provide for a process for parents to opt out of their child receiving instruction on the subject of human sexuality; amend KRS 158.191 to remove language limiting Kentucky Board of Education or Department of Education policies regarding student confidential information and the use of pronouns; require a local school district to use pronouns for students upon a request from a parent along with a note from a medical provider diagnosing the child with gender dysphoria; remove language concerning parental consent for well-being questionnaires or assessments or a health screening; amend KRS 158.189 to make findings about children and young adults desiring individual privacy; require a school to provide an accommodation to any student who requests an area of individual privacy in restrooms, locker rooms, and shower rooms, regardless of biological sex or gender identity; require school officials to provide an accommodation for individual privacy for children whose gender is different from his or her biological sex and who have a note from a medical provider diagnosing the child with gender dysphoria; permit alternate accommodations upon the parent's request; amend KRS 311.372 to prohibit surgical or medical treatment of a child under the age of 18 years for gender dysphoria, and any nonsurgical medical treatment without the consent of the child's parent or legal guardian; require that the provision of nonsurgical medical treatment to a child under the age of 18 years apply only to a child with a medical diagnosis from a mental health care provider and by a trained and experienced health care provider in collaboration with a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist using only appropriate nonsurgical medical treatments approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for adolescents and that meet evidence-based medical standards.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 205 to establish the grocery store initiative fund to be administered by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to expand access to healthy foods in underserved areas by providing grants, loans, and technical assistance to eligible food retailers and food enterprises; establish conditions for the fund; require an annual report to the Governor and the Legislative Research Commission by October 1; require the cabinet to promulgate administrative regulations to implement the activities related to the fund.

Amend KRS 61.315 to define "rescue squad personnel"; expand eligibility for in the line of duty death benefits to rescue squad personnel; require the Division of Emergency Management to promulgate administrative regulations establishing necessary criteria and procedures; amend KRS 164.2841 to define "rescue squad personnel"; expand eligibility for tuition and fee exemption to dependents of rescue squad personnel who died in the line of duty; amend KRS 342.316 to conform.

Amend KRS 72.025 to require a post-mortem examination in deaths that occur during an arrest; create a new section of KRS Chapter 72 to require coroners to notify the Kentucky State Medical Examiner of arrest-related deaths; require publication of an annual public report; amend KRS 72.020 to conform.

Direct the Legislative Research Commission to establish the Mental Health Alternative Community Response Model Task Force; establish task force membership; require the task force to study and make recommendations to identify programs, initiatives, and opportunities in the Commonwealth for alternative response services for communities related to mental health for Kentuckians and submit a report with recommendations to the Legislative Research Commission by December 1, 2026.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 441 to establish the External Detainee Fatality Review Panel to conduct comprehensive reviews of all fatalities of individuals detained by law enforcement, in county or regional jails, or in any facility operated by the Department of Corrections, the Department of Juvenile Justice, or an entity under contract with either department; establish membership and duties of the panel; set a schedule for appointment of members.

Maddy summarySB 205 increases pay for Kentucky election officers to $120 per election day served, directly affecting county election staff who serve during elections. The bill amends Kentucky Revised Statute 117.045 to establish this new daily rate for precinct election officers, replacing any previous pay structure. This change applies to all election days, including primaries, general elections, and special elections where officers are appointed. The policy focuses solely on compensating officers for their service, with no other provisions altering appointment procedures or qualifications.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates February 11, 2026, as Recovery Advocacy Day in Kentucky. It commemorates Kentuckians in long-term recovery from substance use disorders and those supporting recovery efforts, without creating new laws or funding. The resolution aims to raise awareness and reduce stigma around recovery, aligning with existing state initiatives like the Recovery Ready Communities project. It is a symbolic observance, not a policy change.