All Roll Calls
Yes: 228 • No: 0
KentuckyHB 42026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
AN ACT relating to grooming a minor.
Sponsored By: Marianne Proctor (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Children And MinorsCorrections ImpactCrimes And PunishmentsCriminal ProcedureLocal Mandate
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Stronger penalties for health professionals
Health boards for doctors, nurses, social workers, physical therapists, behavior analysts, and massage therapists get stronger tools. Boards may deny, suspend, or revoke a license after certain sex‑crime convictions involving a patient. Boards may also act if they find sexual contact with a patient while under care. Nurses can face mandatory treatment and may have to pay for a patient’s mental‑health care. Fines can reach $1,000 for massage therapists and $2,500 for behavior analysts and physical therapists.
Tougher discipline for school staff
School licensing officials can now act on more misconduct. The board may deny, suspend, or revoke a certificate. This applies after a conviction, or an Alford or nolo plea, to a sex offense under KRS Chapter 510. The board may also act if it finds sexual contact with a student or minor, even without a criminal conviction. These rules cover superintendents, principals, teachers, substitutes, interns, and other certified staff.
New crime for grooming minors
The law creates the crime of grooming a minor. An adult 18 or older who grooms a child under 14 commits a Class A misdemeanor. If the child is under 12, it is a Class D felony. An adult in authority who grooms a minor under 18 commits a Class D felony. If the child is under 12, it is a Class C felony. Any grooming sentence runs at the same time as other related sentences. Normal teaching, school messages, medical care, abuse checks, age‑appropriate parent or sibling talks, and job duties are not grooming. The law also defines adult intermediary. It defines course of conduct as two or more acts that show a pattern. It defines deviate sexual intercourse and excludes recognized health‑care practices.
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
Jim Gooch Jr.
Republican • 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
Lindsey Burke
Democrat • 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
M. Proctor
4/10/2026Sponsor
4/10/2026signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 65)
4/10/2026delivered to Governor
3/31/2026enrolled, signed by President of the Senate
3/31/2026enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House
3/31/2026passed 92-0
3/31/2026House concurred in Committee Substitute (1)
3/31/2026posted 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)
3/26/2026passed over and retained in the Orders of the Day
3/25/2026passed over and retained in the Orders of the Day
3/24/2026posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Tuesday, March 24 2026
3/20/20262nd reading, to Rules
3/20/2026reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute (1)
3/19/2026to 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)
2/4/2026posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Wednesday, February 04 2026
2/3/2026floor amendment (2) and (3) filed
2/3/2026floor amendment (1) filed
2/2/20262nd reading, to Rules
1/29/2026
Bill Text
Current
3/31/2026
Introduced
2/4/2026
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