KentuckyHB 2532026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

AN ACT relating to education and declaring an emergency.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

17 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 1 costs, 9 mixed.

Districts may investigate despite file cleanup

Removing an allegation record from a school employee’s personnel file does not stop the district from investigating the matter. The district can still keep separate investigation records and take employment action.

Statewide staff safety training rules

By August 1, 2025, KDE sets a four‑year professional development schedule that districts must use. Certified district and public charter employees must take at least one hour each on active‑shooter response, child‑abuse reporting, suicide prevention, and seizure‑disorder materials within 12 months of hire and every four years. KDE keeps an approved list for child‑abuse trainings. Each superintendent appoints a PD coordinator. KDE and EPSB create training on staff‑student boundaries by May 1, 2027; current staff complete it by June 30, 2027, and new hires complete it within 90 days (with a five‑year prior‑training exception). State PD funds must support local plans and teacher growth and can be used year‑round.

Stronger school background checks and hiring limits

Superintendents must require state and national criminal background checks and a clear child abuse/neglect check for new hires, student teachers, nonfaculty coaches or assistants, SBDM parent members, and adults with regular access to school grounds. Certified private schools cannot employ violent offenders, people with felony sex-crime convictions, or people with substantiated child abuse/neglect findings; misdemeanor sex-crime convictions may be allowed. These background and safety rules also apply to public charter schools.

Teacher prep and tests on reading

Teacher‑prep programs must teach evidence‑based reading, including phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension, and may not teach three‑cueing. Programs must cover dyslexia identification, interventions, and multi‑tiered supports by the 2027–2028 academic year. EPSB keeps a list of approved reading‑instruction tests, and new early‑childhood and elementary teachers must pass an approved test to be certified.

Dyslexia help and K–3 policies

KDE provides a dyslexia toolkit to guide screening, interventions, and accommodations. Every local board must have a policy to find and help K–3 students with dyslexia and must include set evaluation, parent outreach, and progress checks. By June 30, 2028, and each June 30 for five years, districts report K–3 screening and intervention data to KDE. The earlier three‑district dyslexia study is repealed.

School guardians program and requirements

Local boards may employ certified school safety “guardians” from eligible veteran and retired law‑enforcement groups; certified guardians may be armed on school property. Boards must work with local law enforcement to set policies on duties, ID, emergencies, and firearms. Guardians must pass annual firearm tests and complete SRO I training. Unless a board agrees to pay, guardians cover their own background checks, exams, and training costs. Boards are immune from suits over guardian actions, and guardians have the same immunities as police for acts done on duty. Hiring has strict minimums, including a concealed‑carry license, medical and drug screens, KLEC checks, DCJT courses, and proof of discharge or prior service.

Stronger reading rules in all schools

The law bans three‑cueing reading programs starting in the 2029–2030 school year. KDE keeps an approved list of evidence‑based reading programs, and districts must use high‑quality, standards‑aligned materials. Agencies and districts cannot provide professional development that uses three‑cueing. By June 30, 2029, specified educators must complete a KDE‑approved science‑of‑reading training. Newly certified early‑childhood through grade‑5 educators must finish that training within two years of their first job.

Clearer rules for personnel files

Employees must report allegations of abusive conduct involving a minor to the principal, who notifies the superintendent. The district investigates and keeps related records in the employee’s file until the case is finished. If the claim is false or unsubstantiated, or charges are dismissed or end in acquittal, the superintendent must remove those records from the personnel file.

No penalties for moral instruction choice

A school district cannot punish or treat a student worse because they choose to attend or not attend district‑approved off‑campus moral instruction. This protects student choice.

Trades training counts toward teacher PD

School counselors serving grades 7–12 can count four hours of construction-trades training toward the 21 hours of yearly professional development. Local boards or school councils may count this training as one of the four required PD days for teachers in grades 7–12 when a participating trade group offers it. This reduces other PD hours or days you need.

Online board to compare PD options

The Kentucky Department of Education runs an online bulletin board with details about professional development programs and providers. Listings include title, provider, presenter qualifications, goals, length, services, costs, past users, and needed arrangements. Provider participation is voluntary, and department postings are not endorsements.

Counselor training on construction careers

KDE may partner with construction‑trade groups to train counselors who serve grades 7–12 on pay, benefits, and paths like pre‑apprenticeships and apprenticeships. Trade groups must provide ample chances each year and pay the training costs. If requested, KDE lists the training on its electronic consumer bulletin board.

Cursive writing required in elementary

Starting with the 2025–2026 school year, all elementary schools must teach cursive. Students are expected to be proficient in cursive by the end of fifth grade.

Schools cannot hide misconduct with NDAs

Public school districts, public charter schools, and certified private schools cannot use nondisclosure agreements about misconduct involving a minor or student, including abusive conduct. This increases transparency for students and families when serious incidents occur.

Background checks in private schools

Certified nonpublic schools must require national and state criminal background checks and a clear child abuse/neglect check for all new certified hires and student teachers. Schools may choose to recheck certified teachers every five years.

Off-campus moral instruction option

With a parent’s consent, a student may be excused up to one hour on one day each week, including travel, for district‑approved off‑campus moral instruction. That time counts as school attendance and in SEEK funding. Providers must submit a written request with contacts, location, a transportation plan, insurance, and an indemnity. All listed instructors and transporters must pass state and national criminal checks and a clear child abuse/neglect check; people with disqualifying records are barred until cleared. Providers or individuals pay the check costs.

Guardian hiring optional and locally funded

Local school boards do not have to hire school safety guardians. If a board chooses to use guardians, it must pay the costs with local district funds. Participation depends on local budgets.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

James Tipton
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Aaron Reed
Republican • Senate
Beverly Chester-Burton
Democrat • House
Daniel Grossberg
Democrat • House
Kevin Jackson
Republican • House
Pamela Stevenson
Democrat • House
Stephen West
Republican • Senate
Tina Bojanowski
Democrat • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 225 • No: 2

House vote • 3/31/2026

passed

Yes: 93 • No: 1

Senate vote • 3/25/2026