KentuckyHB 5212026 Regular SessionHouse

AN ACT relating to crimes and punishments.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 3 costs, 2 mixed.

More property at risk of seizure

Property used in or bought with proceeds from certain listed crimes can be seized. This includes real estate and personal property in Kentucky. The same defenses and procedures used in drug-related forfeitures apply.

Stalking can trigger tougher repeat penalties

Felony stalking convictions can now count under the persistent felony offender law. This lets courts apply tougher repeat‑offender sentencing rules in qualifying cases.

Stronger stalking protections and lawsuits

The law tightens the stalking rules. Stalking now means a pattern of two or more acts, including online or device use, and excludes protected speech. Victims can sue for actual and punitive damages, costs, and attorney fees within two years of the last act. A guilty verdict for stalking counts as an application for an interpersonal protective order, which can last up to 10 years and be renewed, unless the victim says no. Courts recognize many types of protective orders, and older orders remain valid and convert to the new form on renewal. The law also defines social media platforms to support these rules and replaces the old stalking statutes.

New trespass rules and workplace safety

It is trespass to enter or stay in a workplace with threatening behavior after the employer or authorized person says no. Third‑degree trespass is now a violation in most cases, but it becomes a Class B misdemeanor during declared disasters or for a second offense within three years. Police may arrest without a warrant for third‑degree trespass committed in their presence, and must arrest on probable cause for violating an interpersonal protective order after confirming notice. Landowners can give notice with purple paint marks that meet size and height rules, and the law defines “threatening behavior” and “workplace.”

Stalking removed from gang enhancement

Stalking in the second degree no longer triggers a separate gang‑membership proceeding for an enhanced sentence. This reduces the chance of added jail time in those cases.

New $30 fee funds Safe at Home

If you are convicted of the listed sex crimes or stalking, the court adds a $30 fee per conviction. Of each fee, $1.50 goes to the state’s general fund and the rest goes to the Safe at Home Program. Clerks send the money each quarter. The court can waive some or all of the fee if you are indigent.

Broader subpoenas for online records

The Attorney General and state police can subpoena account and transaction records from internet, social, mobile payment, and cloud companies in child‑exploitation and stalking cases. They can get metadata like usernames, IPs, and billing info. They cannot get messages or stored files without a warrant.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Steven Rudy
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Beverly Chester-Burton
Democrat • House
Brandon J. Storm
Republican • Senate
Chad Aull
Democrat • House
Chris Freeland
Republican • House
Daniel Grossberg
Democrat • House
Kim Banta
Republican • House
Myron Dossett
Republican • House
Randy Bridges
Republican • House
Richard White
Republican • House
Steve Bratcher
Republican • House
Stephanie Dietz
Republican • House
Walker Thomas
Republican • House
Wade Williams
Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 225 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/31/2026

3rd reading, passed

Yes: 38 • No: 0

House vote • 3/31/2026

passed

Yes: 91 • No: 0

House vote • 2/25/2026