All Roll Calls
Yes: 228 • No: 0
KentuckyHB 42026 Regular SessionHouse
AN ACT relating to grooming a minor.
Sponsored By: Marianne Proctor (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Children And MinorsCrimes And PunishmentsCriminal ProcedureCorrections ImpactLocal Mandate
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
10 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 7 costs, 2 mixed.
New crime for grooming minors
Kentucky creates the crime of grooming a minor. An adult who grooms a child under 14 to set up sexual conduct commits a crime. If the adult is in a position of authority and targets a minor under 18 to push sexual conduct or a secretive relationship, it is also a crime. Penalties range from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class C felony when the child is under 12. Sentences run at the same time as other crimes against the same victim. The law protects proper school lessons, traceable school messages, medical care, child‑welfare checks, age‑appropriate family talks, and job‑related communications. It also defines grooming behavior, course of conduct, and related terms to help police and courts enforce the law.
Stronger reporting and discipline for educators
School superintendents must report to the state within 30 calendar days when a certified employee is fired, resigns under threat, is not renewed for cause, is convicted, or may have broken rules. The Education Professional Standards Board confirms receipt within seven business days and notifies the district about next steps. Teachers get a copy of the report and can file a written rebuttal. Certificates can be suspended for up to two years or revoked permanently, with conditions if reapplying later. If sexual contact with a student or minor is proven, the employee’s certificate can be suspended or revoked, the employee must get treatment, and may have to pay for the student’s mental health care.
Massage therapists face stricter conduct rules
The board can deny, suspend, or revoke a massage therapy license and issue reprimands or probation. Fines can be up to $1,000 per violation. A guilty verdict, an admission of guilt, or a no‑contest plea counts as a conviction. Unprofessional conduct includes sexual contact with a client or lewd or immoral conduct with a client or patient.
Sanctions for social workers’ sexual contact
If a social worker has sexual contact with a client while the client is under care, the board can suspend or revoke the license. The board can require treatment for the social worker and require payment for the client’s mental health care. Convictions for listed sexual crimes also allow license revocation.
Stronger penalties for nurse misconduct
The board can discipline a nurse who is on the adult caregiver or nurse aide abuse registry for substantiated abuse, neglect, or misappropriation, or who has a substantiated or court finding of child abuse or neglect. If the board proves a nurse had sexual contact with a patient under care, it can suspend or revoke the nurse’s license. The board can require treatment for the nurse and payment for the patient’s mental health care.
Tougher discipline for behavior analysts
The board can fine applied behavior analysts up to $2,500 per violation. The board can also discipline a licensee for nonconsensual sexual contact or sexual harassment of an employee or coworker. Private admonishments are confidential and not made public, but the board can use them later.
Tougher discipline for doctors’ misconduct
The medical board can place a doctor on probation for up to five years, suspend for up to five years, restrict practice indefinitely, or revoke a license for listed misconduct. Convictions for sexual offenses involving patients, including KRS 530.064(1)(a) and KRS 531.310, or a board finding of sexual contact with a patient, allow discipline. A conviction for female genital mutilation (KRS 508.125) requires automatic license revocation.
Stronger EMS reporting and penalty rules
EMS employers must report workers who they know or reasonably suspect are unfit to practice, broke laws or rules, committed fraud, practiced without a valid credential, abused drugs, or falsified essential records. Reports go to the licensing board on its official form. It is a Class A misdemeanor for a first offense, and a Class D felony for later offenses, to misuse EMS titles, run an unapproved EMS school, or knowingly hire unlicensed EMS staff.
Stricter rules for physical therapists
The board can discipline physical therapy licensees for breaking KRS 304.39‑215 or for conduct that carries penalties under KRS 304.99‑060(4) or (5). Private admonishments are confidential and not public, but may be used by the board later. These changes add explicit grounds for action while keeping minor admonishments private.
Boards broaden conviction definition
For applied behavior analyst and physical therapy boards, a guilty finding, an admission of guilt, or a no‑contest plea counts as a conviction for discipline. This makes it easier for boards to use conviction‑based rules when they decide cases.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Marianne Proctor
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Beverly Chester-Burton
Democrat • House
Bill Wesley
Republican • House
Chris Fugate
Republican • House
Chris Lewis
Republican • House
Candy Massaroni
Republican • House
Daniel Elliott
Republican • House
Deanna Gordon
Republican • House
Daniel Grossberg
Democrat • House
David Hale
Republican • House
David W. Osborne
Republican • House
DJ Johnson
Republican • House
Felicia Rabourn
Republican • House
George Brown Jr.
Democrat • House
Josh Calloway
Republican • House
Jennifer Decker
Republican • House
Jim Gooch Jr.
Republican • House
John Hodgson
Republican • House
Jason Nemes
Republican • House
James Tipton
Republican • House
Kim Banta
Republican • House
Kim Holloway
Republican • House
Kimberly Poore Moser
Republican • House
Mark Hart
Republican • House
Mary Beth Imes
Republican • House
Matt Lockett
Republican • House
Nancy Tate
Republican • House
Patrick Flannery
Republican • House
Peyton Griffee
Republican • House
Ryan Bivens
Republican • House
Ryan Dotson
Republican • House
Richard White
Republican • House
Shane Baker
Republican • House
Steve Bratcher
Republican • House
Steven Doan
Republican • House
Savannah Maddox
Republican • House
Scott Sharp
Republican • House
Tony Hampton
Republican • House
Thomas Huff
Republican • House
T.J. Roberts
Republican • House
Vanessa Grossl
Republican • House
Walker Thomas
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/31/2026
passed
Yes: 92 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/26/2026
3rd reading, passed
Yes: 38 • No: 0
House vote • 2/4/2026
3rd reading, passed
Yes: 98 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 65)
4/10/2026delivered to Governor
3/31/2026enrolled, signed by President of the Senate
3/31/2026Houseenrolled, signed by Speaker of the House
3/31/2026Housepassed 92-0
3/31/2026HouseHouse concurred in Committee Substitute (1)
3/31/2026Houseposted for passage for concurrence in Senate
3/31/2026Senateto Rules (H)
3/27/2026Housereceived in House
3/27/2026House3rd reading, passed 38-0 with Committee Substitute (1)
3/26/2026Senatepassed over and retained in the Orders of the Day
3/25/2026Senatepassed over and retained in the Orders of the Day
3/24/2026Senateposted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Tuesday, March 24 2026
3/20/2026Senate2nd reading, to Rules
3/20/2026Senatereported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute (1)
3/19/2026Senateto Judiciary (S)
3/16/2026Senateto Committee on Committees (S)
2/5/2026Senatereceived in Senate
2/5/2026Senate3rd reading, passed 98-0 with Floor Amendment (2)
2/4/2026Houseposted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Wednesday, February 04 2026
2/3/2026Housefloor amendment (2) and (3) filed
2/3/2026Housefloor amendment (1) filed
2/2/2026House2nd reading, to Rules
1/29/2026Housereported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar
1/28/2026Houseto Judiciary (H)
1/21/2026House
Bill Text
Current
3/31/2026
Introduced
2/4/2026
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