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KentuckyHB 1852026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

AN ACT relating to employment and declaring an emergency.

Sponsored By: Emily Callaway (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Administrative Regulations And ProceedingsBackground ChecksCrimes And PunishmentsLicensingOccupations And ProfessionsPersonnel And EmploymentState AgenciesState EmployeesWorkforce

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Fair-chance rules for jobs and licenses

The law limits denial of public jobs or licenses based only on a past conviction unless the crime directly relates to the role. Agencies must consider your age at the time, how serious it was, how long ago it was, how it ties to the job, bonding needs, and proof of rehabilitation. You can request a pre-application review before paying for training. You may have an in‑person, phone, or video hearing. A positive pre‑application decision is binding unless you later get a new conviction or hid an old one. If denied only because of a conviction, you get written reasons, 10 working days to request a hearing, and the agency must prove the conviction relates to the job. Agencies must post their background‑check rules online, tell applicants within 14 days, and notify training programs. State agencies must adopt rules by January 1, 2027 and report by November 1, 2027. Local governments and the Department of Financial Institutions are exempt from these pre‑application rules.

Stronger protections for tipped workers

An employee counts as a tipped worker if they usually get over $30 in tips per month and do service work or directly support it in view of customers. Managers, supervisors, and salaried employees cannot be in tip pools. Employers may include tipped workers in required tip pools and may hold pooled funds if the money is labeled, kept separate, and open to worker review.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Emily Callaway

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Jared Bauman

    Republican • House

  • Matthew Koch

    Republican • House

  • Robert Duvall

    Republican • House

  • T.J. Roberts

    Republican • House

  • Walker Thomas

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 223 • No: 0

House vote • 3/31/2026

passed

Yes: 91 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/20/2026

3rd reading, passed

Yes: 37 • No: 0

House vote • 2/23/2026

3rd reading, passed

Yes: 95 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 72)

    4/10/2026

  2. delivered to Governor

    3/31/2026

  3. enrolled, signed by President of the Senate

    3/31/2026House

  4. enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House

    3/31/2026House

  5. passed 91-0

    3/31/2026House

  6. House concurred in Committee Substitute (1) and Committee Amendment (1-title)

    3/31/2026House

  7. posted for passage for concurrence in Senate Committee Substitute (1) and Committee Amendment (1-title)

    3/27/2026Senate

  8. to Rules (H)

    3/20/2026House

  9. received in House

    3/20/2026House

  10. 3rd reading, passed 37-0 with Committee Substitute (1) and Committee Amendment (1-title)

    3/20/2026Senate

  11. posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Friday, March 20 2026

    3/19/2026Senate

  12. 2nd reading, to Rules

    3/18/2026Senate

  13. reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute (1) and Committee Amendment (1-title)

    3/17/2026Senate

  14. to Licensing & Occupations (S)

    3/13/2026Senate

  15. to Committee on Committees (S)

    2/24/2026Senate

  16. received in Senate

    2/24/2026Senate

  17. 3rd reading, passed 95-0

    2/23/2026House

  18. posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Monday, February 23 2026

    2/20/2026House

  19. 2nd reading, to Rules

    2/19/2026House

  20. reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar

    2/18/2026House

  21. to Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations (H)

    1/14/2026House

  22. to Committee on Committees (H)

    1/7/2026House

  23. introduced in House

    1/7/2026House

Bill Text

  • Current

    3/31/2026

    PDF

  • Introduced

    2/23/2026

    PDF

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