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KentuckySB 262025 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

AN ACT relating to parental rights.

Sponsored By: Brandon J. Storm (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Courts, CircuitCourts, DistrictDisabilities and the DisabledParental RightsState AgenciesCourts, FamilyChildren and MinorsCivil Procedure

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Adoption applicants with disabilities gain safeguards

Before rejecting an adoption or placement solely because of disability, decision-makers must consider targeted support that could enable essential child care. For disability-based application denials, the secretary must confirm an individual assessment and review of support services and available changes. The Cabinet must keep supporting records for two years, unless a court orders otherwise. Disability covers physical or mental impairments substantially limiting major life activities, a record of impairment, or being regarded as impaired. The impairment must be demonstrable through medically accepted diagnostic methods. This definition excludes people currently using illegal drugs or abusing alcohol, drugs, or other substances.

Parents with disabilities gain family-rights safeguards

A petition to end parental rights solely for disability requires individually assessed support services, or the parent’s knowing written rejection. The petition must include the required assessment and service records, or the parent’s signed rejection of offered services. Courts must consider whether disability consistently prevents the parent from meeting the child’s needs. When the child is with the Cabinet, courts also consider services provided or knowingly rejected in writing. Parents in those cases may testify about support services. Courts may decline termination if the parent proves appropriate, individually targeted services were not offered or provided. The parent must show this is more likely true than not.

Adoption applicants gain background discrimination protections

Adoption decision-makers cannot deny petitions because of an applicant’s religious, ethnic, racial, or interfaith background, unless that matches the biological parents’ expressed wishes. They also cannot reject a placement on those grounds when the parent consents.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Brandon J. Storm

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Cassie Chambers Armstrong

    Democrat • Senate

  • Craig Richardson

    Republican • Senate

  • D. Yates

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Gary Boswell

    Republican • Senate

  • Greg Elkins

    Republican • Senate

  • Gerald A. Neal

    Democrat • Senate

  • Julie Raque Adams

    Republican • Senate

  • Lindsey Tichenor

    Republican • Senate

  • Matthew Deneen

    Republican • Senate

  • Robin L. Webb

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 134 • No: 0

House vote • 3/11/2025

3rd reading, passed

Yes: 97 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/13/2025

3rd reading, passed

Yes: 37 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 26)

    3/18/2025

  2. delivered to Governor

    3/11/2025

  3. enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House

    3/11/2025Senate

  4. enrolled, signed by President of the Senate

    3/11/2025Senate

  5. received in Senate

    3/11/2025Senate

  6. 3rd reading, passed 97-0

    3/11/2025House

  7. posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Wednesday, March 05, 2025

    3/4/2025House

  8. 2nd reading, to Rules

    2/28/2025House

  9. reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar

    2/27/2025House

  10. to Families & Children (H)

    2/25/2025House

  11. to Committee on Committees (H)

    2/14/2025House

  12. received in House

    2/14/2025House

  13. 3rd reading, passed 37-0 with Floor Amendment (1)

    2/13/2025Senate

  14. passed over and retained in the Orders of the Day

    2/12/2025Senate

  15. floor amendment (1) filed

    2/12/2025Senate

  16. posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Wednesday, February 12, 2025

    2/7/2025Senate

  17. 2nd reading, to Rules

    2/7/2025Senate

  18. reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar

    2/6/2025Senate

  19. to Judiciary (S)

    1/9/2025Senate

  20. to Committee on Committees (S)

    1/7/2025Senate

  21. introduced in Senate

    1/7/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Current

    2/13/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    2/13/2025

    PDF

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