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KentuckyHB 4222026 Regular SessionHouse

AN ACT relating to crimes and punishments.

Sponsored By: Daniel Fister (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Corrections And Correctional Facilities, StateCrimes And PunishmentsCriminal ProcedureMental HealthProbation And ParolePublic SafetyReports MandatedShort Titles And Popular NamesCorrections Impact

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Six-month supervised reentry for many inmates

The Parole Board orders mandatory reentry supervision six months before an eligible inmate’s projected sentence end when they are not granted parole. It does not apply to people ineligible for parole, those with capital or Class A felonies, repeat violent offenders, maximum or close security inmates, sentences of two years or less, people covered by KRS 532.043, those with six months or less left after sentencing, recommitments for violations, or anyone twice released under this program. Release is treated as parole, not clemency. The Board sets general conditions by regulation, and the Department of Corrections uses a risk-and-needs assessment to add terms. No hearing is required to order supervision. Violations can return the person to prison with no second chance this incarceration, and absconding time does not count toward the sentence.

Insanity defense and verdict rules clarified

The law sets a clear insanity standard: a person is not criminally responsible if, because of mental illness or intellectual disability, they lacked substantial capacity to appreciate the nature and quality of their act at the time. It defines “insanity,” “treatment,” and which inpatient and outpatient facilities count for court-ordered evaluations and care. Treatment can include medicine and therapy, but not electroshock therapy or psychosurgery. In one trial about the same conduct, the jury cannot mix verdicts like “not guilty by reason of insanity” on one count and “guilty” on another. The court must tell the jury this rule.

Treatment rules for guilty but mentally ill

If a person is found guilty but mentally ill, the court sentences them the same as other guilty defendants. They must receive treatment while it is clinically needed, up to the end of the sentence. When the sentence ends, if treatment is still needed, the sentencing court can be asked for involuntary hospitalization or court-ordered community treatment. While on probation, parole, or similar release, treatment is required as long as a clinician says it is needed.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Daniel Fister

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Adam Bowling

    Republican • House

  • Amy Neighbors

    Republican • House

  • Aaron Thompson

    Republican • House

  • Bobby McCool

    Republican • House

  • Bill Wesley

    Republican • House

  • Chad Aull

    Democrat • House

  • Chris Freeland

    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

  • Derek Lewis

    Republican • House

  • David Meade

    Republican • House

  • David W. Osborne

    Republican • House

  • DJ Johnson

    Republican • House

  • Emily Callaway

    Republican • House

  • George Brown Jr.

    Democrat • House

  • Jared Bauman

    Republican • House

  • John Blanton

    Republican • House

  • Josh Branscum

    Republican • House

  • Josh Calloway

    Republican • House

  • Jennifer Decker

    Republican • House

  • Jim Gooch Jr.

    Republican • House

  • John Hodgson

    Republican • House

  • Jason Nemes

    Republican • House

  • J.T. Payne

    Republican • House

  • James Tipton

    Republican • House

  • Kim Banta

    Republican • House

  • Ken Fleming

    Republican • House

  • Kim Holloway

    Republican • House

  • Kevin Jackson

    Republican • House

  • Kim King

    Republican • House

  • Kimberly Poore Moser

    Republican • House

  • Mark Hart

    Republican • House

  • Mary Beth Imes

    Republican • House

  • Matthew Koch

    Republican • House

  • Matt Lockett

    Republican • House

  • Michael Sarge Pollock

    Republican • House

  • Marianne Proctor

    Republican • House

  • Mitch Whitaker

    Republican • House

  • Nancy Tate

    Republican • House

  • Nick Wilson

    Republican • House

  • Patrick Flannery

    Republican • House

  • Peyton Griffee

    Republican • House

  • Ryan Bivens

    Republican • House

  • Ryan Dotson

    Republican • House

  • Robert Duvall

    Republican • House

  • Rebecca Raymer

    Republican • House

  • Richard White

    Republican • House

  • Shane Baker

    Republican • House

  • Steve Bratcher

    Republican • House

  • Stephanie Dietz

    Republican • House

  • Scott Lewis

    Republican • House

  • Shawn McPherson

    Republican • House

  • Steve Riley

    Republican • House

  • Scott Sharp

    Republican • House

  • Susan Witten

    Republican • House

  • Thomas Huff

    Republican • House

  • T.J. Roberts

    Republican • House

  • Tom Smith

    Republican • House

  • Timmy Truett

    Republican • House

  • Vanessa Grossl

    Republican • House

  • Walker Thomas

    Republican • House

  • Wade Williams

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 218 • No: 4

House vote • 4/1/2026

passed

Yes: 87 • No: 3

Senate vote • 3/31/2026

3rd reading, passed

Yes: 38 • No: 0

House vote • 2/24/2026

3rd reading, passed

Yes: 93 • No: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 14)

    4/2/2026

  2. delivered to Governor

    4/1/2026

  3. enrolled, signed by President of the Senate

    4/1/2026House

  4. enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House

    4/1/2026House

  5. passed 87-3

    4/1/2026House

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

    4/1/2026House

  7. posted for passage for concurrence in Senate

    4/1/2026Senate

  8. posted for passage for concurrence in Senate Committee Substitute (1) and Floor Amendment (1)

    3/31/2026Senate

  9. to Rules (H)

    3/31/2026House

  10. received in House

    3/31/2026House

  11. 3rd reading, passed 38-0 with Committee Substitute (1) and Floor Amendment (1)

    3/31/2026Senate

  12. posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Tuesday, March 31 2026

    3/27/2026Senate

  13. 2nd reading, to Rules as a consent bill

    3/27/2026Senate

  14. floor amendment (1) filed to Committee Substitute

    3/26/2026Senate

  15. reported favorably, 1st reading, to Consent Calendar with Committee Substitute (1)

    3/26/2026Senate

  16. to Judiciary (S)

    3/24/2026Senate

  17. to Committee on Committees (S)

    2/25/2026Senate

  18. received in Senate

    2/25/2026Senate

  19. 3rd reading, passed 93-1 with Committee Substitute (1)

    2/24/2026House

  20. posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Tuesday, February 24 2026

    2/23/2026House

  21. 2nd reading, to Rules

    2/19/2026House

  22. reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute (1)

    2/18/2026House

  23. to Judiciary (H)

    1/27/2026House

  24. to Committee on Committees (H)

    1/16/2026House

  25. introduced in House

    1/16/2026House

Bill Text

  • Current

    4/1/2026

    PDF

  • Introduced

    1/12/2026

    PDF

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