Beech Tree News Network

Session Results: House Judiciary Committee

Members of the House Judiciary Committee spend a great deal of time on issues that range from contracts to courts, juvenile justice to jails, prisons, and other correctional facilities. While every committee considers new laws, Judiciary is particularly important because these are the foundation of our civil and criminal justice systems. They define and safeguard rights and responsibilities, protecting citizens from harm and ensuring justice.

Here are several examples of the legislation approved by the House Judiciary Committee this session: 

Fighting Human Trafficking – HB 3 adds hotels and rest areas to the list of places required to post human trafficking awareness information and expands the options for required postings. The measure also creates a working group to collect, study, and report statewide human trafficking data.

Protecting Innocent Kentuckians/Safer Kentucky Act – HB 5 contains multiple provisions aimed at preventing crime and addressing criminal activity at all levels. The measure targets experienced and persistent violent felony offenders, regulates bail funding organizations, creates a statute for carjacking, removes early release for criminals using guns in crimes, enhances the penalty for the murder of a first responder, hardens sentences for adults using juveniles as criminal accomplices, cracks down on those involved in drive by shootings, improves protocol for involuntary confinement of the mentally ill, increases penalties for attempted murder, and toughens sentencing for those who flee the police.

Addressing Torture of a Dog or Cat/Ethan’s Law – HB 258 makes the torture of a dog or cat a Class D felony and allows each act of torture to be considered as a separate offense.

Protecting Kentucky Children from Sexual Abuse and Pornography – HB 278 increases penalties for adult offenders who are in a position of authority or trust. The measure would also require individuals convicted of distributing child pornography to serve 85% of their sentence. 

Clarifying State Intervention in Juvenile Cases – HB 333 requires written consent from a county attorney or district or circuit court judge to allow attorneys from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to prosecute juvenile court cases.

Improving Advocacy for Children – HB 436 requires a paid guardian be appointed to any unrepresented minors named in an interpersonal protective order, emergency protective order, or domestic violence order. The guardian shall be paid a fee fixed by the court not to exceed $500, which shall be paid by the Finance and Administration Cabinet.

Addressing Persistent Offenders – HB 619 allows the aggregate of consecutive indeterminate prison sentences to exceed the longest term authorized by state law when a person convicted of a felony is convicted or enters a guilty plea to an additional felony while on parole, probation, shock probation, or conditional discharge. The measure also applies to individuals convicted of or enters a guilty plea to an offense that he or she committed while awaiting trial on another offense.

 Prosecuting Juveniles Who Commit Adult Crimes – SB 20 allows a juvenile to be tried as an adult if they were at least 15 years old at the time of the alleged crime and used a gun while committing a Class A, B, or C felony.

Protecting Children from Registered Sex Offenders on Social Media – SB 249 require sex offenders who have committed a criminal offense against a victim who is a minor to display their full legal name on social media platforms. The first offense would be considered as a Class A misdemeanor and a Class D felony for second and subsequent offenses. The measure applies retroactively.

As always, I can be reached anytime through the toll-free message line in Frankfort at 1-800-372-7181. You can also contact me via e-mail at [email protected] and keep track through the Kentucky legislature’s website at legislature.ky.gov.