KentuckySB 1812025 Regular SessionSenate

AN ACT relating to children.

Sponsored By: Lindsey Tichenor (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Fiscal NoteEducation, Elementary and SecondaryState AgenciesState EmployeesTeachersChildren and MinorsBoards and Commissions

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Child safety cases get required action

Kentucky’s child services agency must investigate qualifying court reports alleging child abuse, neglect, or dependency. This also covers reports naming child victims of domestic violence or sexual assault in active emergency protective or temporary interpersonal protection order cases. When the agency finds risk of harm and immediate safety concerns, it must physically locate the child within 14 calendar days. The deadline is five working days for children under five, those with developmental or cognitive delays, or significant medical or mental health conditions. These deadlines run from the initial determination; missed deadlines require the agency to ask local police for help.

Extended child placements require court petitions

During a child protection investigation, Kentucky’s child services agency must seek court review of qualifying extended safety-plan placements. The agency and a parent or another person responsible for the child must agree that the child cannot safely remain home. If the child stays outside the home for more than 14 consecutive days, the agency must file a court petition. It must file within 72 hours after that threshold is reached.

Child abuse lessons allowed across grades

Kentucky public schools can teach age-appropriate lessons about child sexual abuse at any grade, including grade five and below. Lessons must follow National Children’s Alliance standards and receive approval from the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Kentucky. The law permits these lessons but does not require schools to offer them.

Parents can review school staff messages

Kentucky school boards must designate systems that track staff and volunteer messages with students and let parents review them. Principals must explain access within the first 10 days of each school year. Outside messages require advance written parental consent, filed at school, for one named employee or volunteer; permission cannot transfer. Parents can set terms or revoke consent, which never permits inappropriate or sexual messages. Messages with a staff member’s or volunteer’s student family member are exempt.

Parents get alerts about unauthorized messages

School employees and volunteers receiving allegations of another employee’s unauthorized student messages must report them immediately to the supervising principal. Reports about principals go to superintendents; reports about superintendents go to the state education commissioner and local board chair. The principal, superintendent, or commissioner receiving an allegation about an employee or volunteer must immediately notify each affected student’s parent. Certified-employee cases go to the Education Professional Standards Board; classified-employee cases follow applicable employment investigation rules. Employees who fail to report face discipline, and volunteers found responsible for unauthorized messages are barred from future school and district volunteering.

Parents lose written sexuality notice guarantee

Kentucky public schools must notify parents at least two weeks before their child’s planned participation in human sexuality instruction. The law no longer expressly requires written notice. The advance-notice deadline remains unchanged.

School complaints gain privacy, longer reviews

Special rules cover certification complaints alleging unauthorized electronic messages, sexual contact, or other sexual misconduct. The complainant’s identity must stay confidential unless the complainant is the superintendent. Information identifying any minor involved must also stay confidential. Education Professional Standards Board staff have 120 calendar days for initial review of these complaints, rather than the usual 30 days.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Lindsey Tichenor
Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 175 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/28/2025

passed

Yes: 38 • No: 0

House vote • 3/28/2025

3rd reading, passed

Yes: 100 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/6/2025