Kentucky 2026 Regular Session Status: Enacted 11 R cosponsors

HB 188 — AN ACT relating to public safety.

Last action — signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 28)

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed House
  4. ✓
    Passed Senate
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 07, 2026. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Andy Beshear (Democratic) on April 03, 2026.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 82% · moderate confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 11 sponsors

    11 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (11 R).

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 2 recorded votes so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Summary

Amend KRS 508.025 to expand assault in the third degree to include causing or attempting to cause physical injury to a healthcare provider in a jail, penitentiary, or local or state correctional or detention facility; amend KRS 65.1591 to add jailers, deputy jailers, and correctional officers employed by a local detention center, local correctional facility, or regional jail to the list of public safety employees eligible to participate in a peer support counseling program.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

119 added · 162 removed

119 line(s) added, 162 removed.

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UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 188/GA AN ACT relating to public safety.
CHAPTER 28 1 CHAPTER 28 ( HB 188 ) AN ACT relating to public safety.
A healthcare provider as defined in KRS 311.821 or other person employed by or under contract with a health clinic, doctor's office, dental office, long-term care facility, hospital, or a hospital-owned or affiliate outpatient facility, if the event occurs in or on the premises of a jail, penitentiary, local or state correctional or detention facility, including a facility which provides for the care, treatment, or detention of a juvenile charged with or adjudicated delinquent because of a public offense or as a youthful offender, health clinic, doctor's office, dental office, long-term care facility, hospital, or a hospital- owned or affiliate outpatient facility;
A healthcare provider as defined in KRS 311.821 or other person employed by or under contract with a health clinic, doctor's office, dental office, long-term care facility, hospital, or a hospital- owned or affiliate outpatient facility, if the event occurs in or on the premises of a jail, penitentiary, local or state correctional or detention facility, including a facility which provides for the care, treatment, or detention of a juvenile charged with or adjudicated delinquent because of a public offense or as a youthful offender, health clinic, doctor's office, dental office, long-term care facility, hospital, or a hospital-owned or affiliate outpatient facility;
Paid or volunteer emergency medical services personnel certified or licensed pursuant to KRS Chapter 311A, if the event occurs while Page 1 of 6 HB018810.100 - 1213 - XXXX 2/5/2026 2:53 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 188/GA personnel are performing job-related duties;
Paid or volunteer emergency medical services personnel certified or licensed pursuant to KRS Chapter 311A, if the event occurs while personnel are performing job-related duties;
Paid or volunteer rescue squad personnel affiliated with the Division of Emergency Management of the Department of Military Affairs or a local disaster and emergency services organization pursuant to KRS Chapter 39F, if the event occurs while personnel are performing job- related duties;
Paid or volunteer rescue squad personnel affiliated with the Division of Emergency Management of the Department of Military Affairs or a local disaster and emergency services organization pursuant to KRS Chapter 39F, if the event occurs while personnel are performing job-related duties;
or Page 2 of 6 HB018810.100 - 1213 - XXXX 2/5/2026 2:53 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 188/GA (c) Intentionally causes a person, whom the actor knows or reasonably should know to be a peace officer discharging official duties, to come into contact with saliva, vomit, mucus, blood, seminal fluid, urine, or feces without the consent of the peace officer.
or Legislative Research Commission PDF Version ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY (c) Intentionally causes a person, whom the actor knows or reasonably should know to be a peace officer discharging official duties, to come into contact with saliva, vomit, mucus, blood, seminal fluid, urine, or feces without the consent of the peace officer.
(a) "Peer support communication" means any oral or written communication made in the course of, or application for, a peer support counseling session or any communication by a peer support participant regarding the contents of a Page 3 of 6 HB018810.100 - 1213 - XXXX 2/5/2026 2:53 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 188/GA peer support counseling session to another peer support specialist, staff member of a peer support counseling program, or the supervisor of a peer support specialist;
(a) "Peer support communication" means any oral or written communication made in the course of, or application for, a peer support counseling session or any communication by a peer support participant regarding the contents of a peer support counseling session to another peer support specialist, staff member of a peer support counseling program, or the supervisor of a peer support specialist;
4.[3.]Serves as a certified telecommunicator as provided by KRS 15.560 to 15.565;
4.[3.] Serves as a certified telecommunicator as provided by KRS 15.560 to 15.565;
or Page 4 of 6 HB018810.100 - 1213 - XXXX 2/5/2026 2:53 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 188/GA 5.[4.]Is licensed to provide emergency medical services as provided by KRS Chapter 311A.
or 5.[4.] Is licensed to provide emergency medical services as provided by KRS Chapter 311A.
(a) An explicit threat of suicide by a participant in which the participant shares an intent to die by suicide, a plan to carry out a suicide attempt, or discloses the means by which the participant intends to carry out a suicide attempt.
(a) An explicit threat of suicide by a participant in which the participant shares an intent to die by suicide, a plan to carry out a suicide attempt, or discloses the means by which the participant intends to carry out a CHAPTER 28 3 suicide attempt.
(5) [Nothing in subsection (3) or (4) of ]This section shall not[be interpreted or Page 5 of 6 HB018810.100 - 1213 - XXXX 2/5/2026 2:53 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 188/GA construed to] prohibit:
(5) [Nothing in subsection (3) or (4) of ]This section shall not[be interpreted or construed to] prohibit:
Page 6 of 6 HB018810.100 - 1213 - XXXX 2/5/2026 2:53 PM GA
Signed by Governor April 3, 2026.
Legislative Research Commission PDF Version
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Action History

  1. signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 28)

  2. delivered to Governor

  3. enrolled, signed by President of the Senate

  4. enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House

  5. received in House

  6. 3rd reading, passed 38-0

  7. posted for passage in the Consent Orders of the Day for Wednesday, March 25 2026

  8. 2nd reading, to Rules as a consent bill

  9. reported favorably, 1st reading, to Consent Calendar

  10. to Judiciary (S)

  11. to Committee on Committees (S)

  12. received in Senate

  13. 3rd reading, passed 97-0 with Floor Amendment (1)

  14. posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Thursday, February 05 2026

  15. floor amendment (1) filed

  16. 2nd reading, to Rules

  17. reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar

  18. to Judiciary (H)

  19. to Committee on Committees (H)

  20. introduced in House

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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11 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 127 not signed on

Sponsors (11)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (127)

127 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 127 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

CONSENT PASSAGE OF HB 188

Passed 38 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 5000
Republican 33000
Total 38000
% of votes cast 100%0%0%0%
How each member voted (38)
Member Party Vote
Cassie Chambers Armstrong Democrat Yea
Gary Clemons Democrat Yea
Gerald A. Neal Democrat Yea
Karen Berg Democrat Yea
Keturah J. Herron Democrat Yea
Aaron Reed Republican Yea
Amanda Mays Bledsoe Republican Yea
Brandon J. Storm Republican Yea
Christian McDaniel Republican Yea
Craig Richardson Republican Yea
Danny Carroll Republican Yea
David P. Givens Republican Yea
Donald Douglas Republican Yea
Gary Boswell Republican Yea
Greg Elkins Republican Yea
Jared Carpenter Republican Yea
Jason Howell Republican Yea
Jason Nemes Republican Yea
Jimmy Higdon Republican Yea
Julie Raque Adams Republican Yea
Lindsey Tichenor Republican Yea
Matt Nunn Republican Yea
Matthew Deneen Republican Yea
Max Wise Republican Yea
Michael Meredith Republican Yea
Nick Wilson Republican Yea
Phillip Wheeler Republican Yea
Rick Girdler Republican Yea
Robby Mills Republican Yea
Robert Stivers Republican Yea
Robin L. Webb Republican Yea
Scott Madon Republican Yea
Shelley Funke Frommeyer Republican Yea
Stephen West Republican Yea
Steve Rawlings Republican Yea
Tom Smith Republican Yea
Wade Williams Republican Yea
Walker Thomas Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Pass

Passed 97 Yea · 0 Nay · 3 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 20000
Republican 76003
Unaffiliated 1000
Total 97003
% of votes cast 97%0%0%3%
How each member voted (100)
Member Party Vote
Lewis C — Yea
Adam Moore Democrat Yea
Adrielle Camuel Democrat Yea
Al Gentry Democrat Yea
Anne Gay Donworth Democrat Yea
Ashley Tackett Laferty Democrat Yea
Beverly Chester-Burton Democrat Yea
Chad Aull Democrat Yea
Daniel Grossberg Democrat Yea
Erika Hancock Democrat Yea
George Brown Jr. Democrat Yea
Joshua Watkins Democrat Yea
Lindsey Burke Democrat Yea
Lisa Willner Democrat Yea
Mary Lou Marzian Democrat Yea
Matthew Lehman Democrat Yea
Nima Kulkarni Democrat Yea
Pamela Stevenson Democrat Yea
Rachel Roarx Democrat Yea
Sarah Stalker Democrat Yea
Tina Bojanowski Democrat Yea
Aaron Thompson Republican Not Voting
Adam Bowling Republican Yea
Amy Neighbors Republican Yea
Bill Wesley Republican Yea
Bobby McCool Republican Yea
Candy Massaroni Republican Yea
Chris Freeland Republican Yea
Chris Fugate Republican Yea
DJ Johnson Republican Yea
Daniel Elliott Republican Yea
Daniel Fister Republican Yea
David Hale Republican Yea
David Meade Republican Yea
David W. Osborne Republican Yea
Deanna Gordon Republican Yea
Derek Lewis Republican Yea
Emily Callaway Republican Yea
Felicia Rabourn Republican Yea
J.T. Payne Republican Yea
James Tipton Republican Yea
Jared Bauman Republican Yea
Jason Nemes Republican Yea
Jason Petrie Republican Yea
Jennifer Decker Republican Yea
Jim Gooch Jr. Republican Yea
John Blanton Republican Yea
John Hodgson Republican Yea
Josh Branscum Republican Yea
Josh Bray Republican Not Voting
Josh Calloway Republican Yea
Ken Fleming Republican Yea
Ken Upchurch Republican Yea
Kevin Jackson Republican Yea
Kim Banta Republican Yea
Kim Holloway Republican Yea
Kim King Republican Not Voting
Kimberly Poore Moser Republican Yea
Marianne Proctor Republican Yea
Mark Hart Republican Yea
Mary Beth Imes Republican Yea
Matt Lockett Republican Yea
Matthew Koch Republican Yea
Michael Meredith Republican Yea
Michael Sarge Pollock Republican Yea
Mike Clines Republican Yea
Mitch Whitaker Republican Yea
Myron Dossett Republican Yea
Nancy Tate Republican Yea
Nick Wilson Republican Yea
Patrick Flannery Republican Yea
Peyton Griffee Republican Yea
Randy Bridges Republican Yea
Rebecca Raymer Republican Yea
Richard White Republican Yea
Robert Duvall Republican Yea
Ryan Bivens Republican Yea
Ryan Dotson Republican Yea
Samara Heavrin Republican Yea
Savannah Maddox Republican Yea
Scott Lewis Republican Yea
Scott Sharp Republican Yea
Shane Baker Republican Yea
Shawn McPherson Republican Yea
Stephanie Dietz Republican Yea
Steve Bratcher Republican Yea
Steve Riley Republican Yea
Steven Doan Republican Yea
Steven Rudy Republican Yea
Susan Witten Republican Yea
Suzanne Miles Republican Yea
T.J. Roberts Republican Yea
Thomas Huff Republican Yea
Timmy Truett Republican Yea
Tom Smith Republican Yea
Tony Hampton Republican Yea
Vanessa Grossl Republican Yea
Wade Williams Republican Yea
Walker Thomas Republican Yea
William Lawrence Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

public-safety healthcare
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

What does HB 188 do?
Amend KRS 508.025 to expand assault in the third degree to include causing or attempting to cause physical injury to a healthcare provider in a jail, penitentiary, or local or state correctional or detention facility; amend KRS 65.1591 to add jailers, deputy jailers, and correctional officers employed by a local detention center, local correctional facility, or regional jail to the list of public safety employees eligible to participate in a peer support counseling program.
Who sponsors HB 188?
HB 188 is sponsored by Wade Williams (Republican), Steve Riley (Republican), Kimberly Poore Moser (Republican), Michael Meredith (Republican), Shawn McPherson (Republican), Scott Lewis (Republican), John Hodgson (Republican), David Hale (Republican), Daniel Elliott (Republican), Robert Duvall (Republican), and Kevin Jackson (Republican).
What is the current status of HB 188?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 07, 2026. Enacted.
Where can I track HB 188?
Track HB 188 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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