Kentucky 2026 Regular Session Status: Passed Senate Bipartisan · 10 R · 2 D cosponsors

SB 47 — AN ACT relating to in the line of duty death benefits.

Last action — to Committee on Committees (H)

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

This bill has passed the Senate. Introduced January 07, 2026. It now moves to the second chamber.

Next likely step: consideration and a floor vote in the House.

Odds of enactment

Moderate chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a moderate 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 74% · high confidence

  • Passed Senate

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 12 sponsors

    12 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (10 R · 2 D) — cross-party backing.

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 1 recorded vote 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 61.315 to define "rescue squad personnel"; expand eligibility for in the line of duty death benefits to rescue squad personnel; require the Division of Emergency Management to promulgate administrative regulations establishing necessary criteria and procedures; amend KRS 164.2841 to define "rescue squad personnel"; expand eligibility for tuition and fee exemption to dependents of rescue squad personnel who died in the line of duty; amend KRS 342.316 to conform.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

311 added · 310 removed

311 line(s) added, 310 removed.

→
Previous
Latest
UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 984 AN ACT relating to in the line of duty death benefits.
UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 47/GA AN ACT relating to in the line of duty death benefits.
Page 1 of 17 BR098400.100 - 984 - XXXX 2/18/2026 2:40 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 984 2.
Page 1 of 17 SB004710.100 - 984 - XXXX 2/19/2026 11:42 AM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 47/GA 2.
If there are Page 2 of 17 BR098400.100 - 984 - XXXX 2/18/2026 2:40 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 984 surviving children and a surviving spouse, the payment shall be apportioned equally among the surviving children and the spouse.
If there are Page 2 of 17 SB004710.100 - 984 - XXXX 2/19/2026 11:42 AM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 47/GA surviving children and a surviving spouse, the payment shall be apportioned equally among the surviving children and the spouse.
(5) The Department of Corrections shall promulgate administrative regulations Page 3 of 17 BR098400.100 - 984 - XXXX 2/18/2026 2:40 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 984 establishing the criteria and procedures applicable to the administration of this section as it pertains to correctional employees, including but not limited to defining which employees qualify for coverage and which circumstances constitute death in the line of duty.
(5) The Department of Corrections shall promulgate administrative regulations Page 3 of 17 SB004710.100 - 984 - XXXX 2/19/2026 11:42 AM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 47/GA establishing the criteria and procedures applicable to the administration of this section as it pertains to correctional employees, including but not limited to defining which employees qualify for coverage and which circumstances constitute death in the line of duty.
(10)[(9)] The benefits payable under this section shall be in addition to any benefits Page 4 of 17 BR098400.100 - 984 - XXXX 2/18/2026 2:40 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 984 now or hereafter prescribed under any police, sheriff, firefighter's, volunteer firefighter's, emergency medical services personnel, rescue squad personnel, or National Guard or Reserve retirement or benefit fund established by the federal government or by any state, county, or any municipality.
(10)[(9)] The benefits payable under this section shall be in addition to any benefits Page 4 of 17 SB004710.100 - 984 - XXXX 2/19/2026 11:42 AM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 47/GA now or hereafter prescribed under any police, sheriff, firefighter's, volunteer firefighter's, emergency medical services personnel, rescue squad personnel, or National Guard or Reserve retirement or benefit fund established by the federal government or by any state, county, or any municipality.
Page 5 of 17 BR098400.100 - 984 - XXXX 2/18/2026 2:40 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 984 3.
Page 5 of 17 SB004710.100 - 984 - XXXX 2/19/2026 11:42 AM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 47/GA 3.
(2) (a) Any person whose parent or any nonmarried widow or widower whose spouse was a resident of the Commonwealth of Kentucky upon becoming a law enforcement officer, rescue squad personnel, firefighter, or volunteer firefighter and who was killed while in active service or training for active Page 6 of 17 BR098400.100 - 984 - XXXX 2/18/2026 2:40 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 984 service or who died as a result of a service-connected disability shall not be required to pay any matriculation or tuition fee upon admission to any state- supported university, community college, or vocational training institution.
(2) (a) Any person whose parent or any nonmarried widow or widower whose spouse was a resident of the Commonwealth of Kentucky upon becoming a law enforcement officer, rescue squad personnel, firefighter, or volunteer firefighter and who was killed while in active service or training for active Page 6 of 17 SB004710.100 - 984 - XXXX 2/19/2026 11:42 AM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 47/GA service or who died as a result of a service-connected disability shall not be required to pay any matriculation or tuition fee upon admission to any state- supported university, community college, or vocational training institution.
(2) (a) Any person whose parent or any nonmarried widow or widower whose spouse was an employee participating in a state-administered retirement system, and not otherwise covered by subsection (1) of this section, and who died as a result of a duty-related injury as described in KRS 61.621 shall not be required to pay any matriculation or tuition fee upon admission to any state- supported university, community college, or vocational training institution.
(3)[(2)] (a) Any person whose parent or any nonmarried widow or widower whose spouse was an employee participating in a state-administered retirement system, and not otherwise covered by subsection (2)[(1)] of this section, and who died as a result of a duty-related injury as described in KRS 61.621 shall not be required to pay any matriculation or tuition fee upon admission to any state-supported university, community college, or vocational training institution.
The spousal relationship shall be shown by a marriage certificate or other documentary evidence.
The spousal relationship shall be Page 7 of 17 SB004710.100 - 984 - XXXX 2/19/2026 11:42 AM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 47/GA shown by a marriage certificate or other documentary evidence.
The parent's Page 7 of 17 BR098400.100 - 984 - XXXX 2/18/2026 2:40 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 984 or spouse's service and the cause of death shall be evidenced by certification from the records of the employing agency or the appropriate retirement system.
The parent's or spouse's service and the cause of death shall be evidenced by certification from the records of the employing agency or the appropriate retirement system.
(3) If one so admitted to a state-supported university, community college, or vocational training institution under[ the provisions of] this section shall have obtained a cash scholarship paid or payable to the institution, from whatever source, the amount of the scholarship shall be applied to the credit of the applicant in the payment of incidental expenses of his or her attendance at the institution, and any balance, if the terms of the scholarship permit, shall be returned to the applicant.
(4)[(3)] If one so admitted to a state-supported university, community college, or vocational training institution under[ the provisions of] this section shall have obtained a cash scholarship paid or payable to the institution, from whatever source, the amount of the scholarship shall be applied to the credit of the applicant in the payment of incidental expenses of his or her attendance at the institution, and any balance, if the terms of the scholarship permit, shall be returned to the applicant.
(2) The procedure with respect to the giving of notice and determination of claims in occupational disease cases and the compensation and medical benefits payable for disability or death due to the disease shall be the same as in cases of accidental Page 8 of 17 BR098400.100 - 984 - XXXX 2/18/2026 2:40 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 984 injury or death under the general provisions of this chapter, except that notice of claim shall be given to the employer as soon as practicable after the employee first experiences a distinct manifestation of an occupational disease in the form of symptoms reasonably sufficient to apprise the employee that he or she has contracted the disease, or a diagnosis of the disease is first communicated to him or her, whichever shall first occur.
(2) The procedure with respect to the giving of notice and determination of claims in occupational disease cases and the compensation and medical benefits payable for Page 8 of 17 SB004710.100 - 984 - XXXX 2/19/2026 11:42 AM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 47/GA disability or death due to the disease shall be the same as in cases of accidental injury or death under the general provisions of this chapter, except that notice of claim shall be given to the employer as soon as practicable after the employee first experiences a distinct manifestation of an occupational disease in the form of symptoms reasonably sufficient to apprise the employee that he or she has contracted the disease, or a diagnosis of the disease is first communicated to him or her, whichever shall first occur.
For other compensable occupational pneumoconiosis claims, each clinical examination shall include a chest X-ray examination and Page 9 of 17 BR098400.100 - 984 - XXXX 2/18/2026 2:40 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 984 appropriate pulmonary function tests.
For other compensable occupational pneumoconiosis claims, each Page 9 of 17 SB004710.100 - 984 - XXXX 2/19/2026 11:42 AM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 47/GA clinical examination shall include a chest X-ray examination and appropriate pulmonary function tests.
The FVC or the FEV1 values shall represent the largest of such values obtained from three (3) acceptable forced expiratory volume maneuvers as corrected to BTPS (body temperature, ambient pressure and saturated with water vapor at these conditions) and the variance between the two (2) largest acceptable FVC values shall be either less than five percent (5%) of the largest FVC value or less than one hundred (100) milliliters, whichever is greater.
The FVC or the FEV1 values shall represent the largest of such values obtained from three (3) acceptable forced expiratory volume maneuvers as corrected to BTPS (body temperature, ambient pressure and saturated with water vapor at these conditions) and the variance between the two (2) largest acceptable FVC values shall be either less than five percent (5%) of the largest FVC value or less than one hundred (100) milliliters, whichever Page 10 of 17 SB004710.100 - 984 - XXXX 2/19/2026 11:42 AM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 47/GA is greater.
The variance between the two (2) largest acceptable FEV1 Page 10 of 17 BR098400.100 - 984 - XXXX 2/18/2026 2:40 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 984 values shall be either less than five percent (5%) of the largest FEV1 value or less than one hundred (100) milliliters, whichever is greater.
The variance between the two (2) largest acceptable FEV1 values shall be either less than five percent (5%) of the largest FEV1 value or less than one hundred (100) milliliters, whichever is greater.
The commissioner shall assign the claim to an administrative law judge and shall promptly refer the employee to a duly qualified Page 11 of 17 BR098400.100 - 984 - XXXX 2/18/2026 2:40 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 984 "B" reader physician who is licensed in the Commonwealth and is a board-certified pulmonary specialist as set forth pursuant to KRS 342.315 and 342.794(1).
The commissioner shall assign the claim to an administrative law Page 11 of 17 SB004710.100 - 984 - XXXX 2/19/2026 11:42 AM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 47/GA judge and shall promptly refer the employee to a duly qualified "B" reader physician who is licensed in the Commonwealth and is a board-certified pulmonary specialist as set forth pursuant to KRS 342.315 and 342.794(1).
In coal workers' pneumoconiosis claims, if the physician selected by the commissioner interprets an X-ray as positive for complicated coal workers' pneumoconiosis, the commissioner shall refer the employee to the facility at which the claimant was previously evaluated for a computerized tomography scan in order to verify the findings.
In coal workers' pneumoconiosis claims, if the physician selected by the commissioner interprets an X-ray as positive for complicated coal workers' pneumoconiosis, the commissioner shall refer the employee to the facility at which the claimant was previously evaluated for a computerized tomography scan in order Page 12 of 17 SB004710.100 - 984 - XXXX 2/19/2026 11:42 AM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 47/GA to verify the findings.
The computerized tomography scan shall be Page 12 of 17 BR098400.100 - 984 - XXXX 2/18/2026 2:40 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 984 interpreted by the facility and a report shall be filed with the commissioner.
The computerized tomography scan shall be interpreted by the facility and a report shall be filed with the commissioner.
Upon notice from the commissioner that an evaluation has been scheduled, the employer, insurer, or payment obligor shall forward the expenses of travel necessary to Page 13 of 17 BR098400.100 - 984 - XXXX 2/18/2026 2:40 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 984 attend the evaluation at the state employee reimbursement rates to the employee within seven (7) days.
Upon notice from the commissioner that an evaluation has been scheduled, the employer, insurer, or Page 13 of 17 SB004710.100 - 984 - XXXX 2/19/2026 11:42 AM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 47/GA payment obligor shall forward the expenses of travel necessary to attend the evaluation at the state employee reimbursement rates to the employee within seven (7) days.
However, the right to compensation for any occupational disease shall be forever barred, unless a claim is filed with the commissioner within five (5) years from the last injurious exposure to the occupational hazard, except that, in cases of radiation disease, asbestos-related disease, or a type of cancer specified in KRS 61.315(12)[(11)](b), a claim must be filed within twenty (20) years from the last injurious exposure to the occupational hazard.
However, the right to compensation for any occupational disease shall be forever barred, unless a claim is filed with the commissioner within five (5) years from the last injurious exposure to the occupational hazard, except that, in cases of radiation disease, asbestos-related disease, or a type of cancer specified in KRS 61.315(12)[(11)](b), a claim must be filed within twenty (20) years from Page 14 of 17 SB004710.100 - 984 - XXXX 2/19/2026 11:42 AM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 47/GA the last injurious exposure to the occupational hazard.
Page 14 of 17 BR098400.100 - 984 - XXXX 2/18/2026 2:40 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 984 (b) Income benefits for the disease of pneumoconiosis resulting from exposure to coal dust or death therefrom shall not be payable unless the employee has been exposed to the hazards of such pneumoconiosis in the Commonwealth of Kentucky over a continuous period of not less than two (2) years during the ten (10) years immediately preceding the date of his or her last exposure to such hazard, or for any five (5) of the fifteen (15) years immediately preceding the date of such last exposure.
(b) Income benefits for the disease of pneumoconiosis resulting from exposure to coal dust or death therefrom shall not be payable unless the employee has been exposed to the hazards of such pneumoconiosis in the Commonwealth of Kentucky over a continuous period of not less than two (2) years during the ten (10) years immediately preceding the date of his or her last exposure to such hazard, or for any five (5) of the fifteen (15) years immediately preceding the date of such last exposure.
(7) No compensation shall be payable for occupational disease if the employee at the time of entering the employment of the employer by whom compensation would Page 15 of 17 BR098400.100 - 984 - XXXX 2/18/2026 2:40 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 984 otherwise be payable, falsely represented himself or herself, in writing, as not having been previously disabled, laid-off, or compensated in damages or otherwise, because of the occupational disease, or failed or omitted truthfully to state to the best of his or her knowledge, in answer to written inquiry made by the employer, the place, duration, and nature of previous employment, or, to the best of his or her knowledge, the previous state of his or her health.
(7) No compensation shall be payable for occupational disease if the employee at the Page 15 of 17 SB004710.100 - 984 - XXXX 2/19/2026 11:42 AM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 47/GA time of entering the employment of the employer by whom compensation would otherwise be payable, falsely represented himself or herself, in writing, as not having been previously disabled, laid-off, or compensated in damages or otherwise, because of the occupational disease, or failed or omitted truthfully to state to the best of his or her knowledge, in answer to written inquiry made by the employer, the place, duration, and nature of previous employment, or, to the best of his or her knowledge, the previous state of his or her health.
Nothing this section contains shall be construed to be or permit a waiver of any of the provisions of this chapter with reference to notice of time for filing of a claim, but notice of filing a claim, if given or done, shall be deemed to be a notice of filing of a claim under provisions of this chapter, if given or done within the time required by this subsection.
Nothing this section contains shall be construed to be or permit a waiver of any of the provisions of this chapter with reference to notice of time for filing of a claim, but notice of filing a claim, if given or done, shall be deemed to be a notice of filing of a claim under provisions of this chapter, if given or done within the time required Page 16 of 17 SB004710.100 - 984 - XXXX 2/19/2026 11:42 AM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 47/GA by this subsection.
Page 16 of 17 BR098400.100 - 984 - XXXX 2/18/2026 2:40 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 984 (10) When an employee has an occupational disease that is covered by this chapter, the employer in whose employment he or she was last injuriously exposed to the hazard of the disease, and the employer's insurance carrier, if any, at the time of the exposure, shall alone be liable therefor, without right to contribution from any prior employer or insurance carrier, except as otherwise provided in this chapter.
(10) When an employee has an occupational disease that is covered by this chapter, the employer in whose employment he or she was last injuriously exposed to the hazard of the disease, and the employer's insurance carrier, if any, at the time of the exposure, shall alone be liable therefor, without right to contribution from any prior employer or insurance carrier, except as otherwise provided in this chapter.
Page 17 of 17 BR098400.100 - 984 - XXXX 2/18/2026 2:40 PM Jacketed
Page 17 of 17 SB004710.100 - 984 - XXXX 2/19/2026 11:42 AM GA
⬇ Download PDF
View plain text versions (2)

How this bill changes current law

4 changes Share ↗

Compared against the Kentucky Revised Statutes as published AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill expands death benefits for additional categories of personnel and modifies existing definitions related to peace officers and their benefits in Kentucky.

  • KRS 61.315

    or rescue squad personnel whose death occurs on or after the effective date of this Act, as a direct result of an act in the line of duty shall receive a lump-sum payment of eighty thousand dollars ($80,000) if there are no surviving children, which sum shall be paid by the State Treasurer from the general fund of the State Treasury.

    Rescue squad personnel are now included for death benefits.

  • KRS 61.315

    (c) "Emergency medical services personnel" means any paid or volunteer emergency medical services personnel who is certified or licensed pursuant to KRS Chapter 311A and who is employed directly by, or volunteering directly for, any: → (c) "Emergency medical services personnel" means any paid or volunteer emergency medical services personnel who is certified or licensed pursuant to KRS Chapter 311A and who is employed directly by, or volunteering directly for, any:

  • KRS 61.315

    The Division of Emergency Management shall promulgate administrative regulations establishing the criteria and procedures applicable to the administration of this section as it pertains to rescue squad personnel, including but not limited to defining which members qualify for coverage and which circumstances constitute death in the line of duty.

    The Division of Emergency Management is now tasked with regulations regarding rescue squad personnel.

  • KRS 61.315

    The estate of anyone whose spouse or surviving children would be eligible for benefits under subsection (2) of this section, and the estate of any regular member of the United States Armed Forces who names Kentucky as home of record for military purposes whose death occurs as a direct result of an act in the line of duty, shall be exempt from all probate fees, including but not limited to those established by the Supreme Court of Kentucky pursuant to KRS 23A.200 and 24A.170, or imposed under KRS 24A.185, 64.012, and 172.180.

    Estates of those eligible for death benefits are now exempt from probate fees.

Action History

  1. to Committee on Committees (H)

  2. received in House

  3. 3rd reading, passed 36-0

  4. posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Wednesday, February 18 2026

  5. 2nd reading, to Rules

  6. reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar

  7. to Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection (S)

  8. to Committee on Committees (S)

  9. introduced in Senate

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

12 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 126 not signed on

Sponsors (12)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (126)

126 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 126 →

"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

PASS SB 47

Passed 36 Yea · 0 Nay · 2 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 5000
Republican 31002
Total 36002
% of votes cast 95%0%0%5%
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 Not Voting
Jared Carpenter Republican Yea
Jason Howell Republican Yea
Jason Nemes Republican Yea
Jimmy Higdon Republican Yea
Julie Raque Adams Republican Not Voting
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 →

Subjects

public-safety finance education
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 SB 47 do?
Amend KRS 61.315 to define "rescue squad personnel"; expand eligibility for in the line of duty death benefits to rescue squad personnel; require the Division of Emergency Management to promulgate administrative regulations establishing necessary criteria and procedures; amend KRS 164.2841 to define "rescue squad personnel"; expand eligibility for tuition and fee exemption to dependents of rescue squad personnel who died in the line of duty; amend KRS 342.316 to conform.
Who sponsors SB 47?
SB 47 is sponsored by Gex Williams (Republican), Phillip Wheeler (Republican), Lindsey Tichenor (Republican), Brandon J. Storm (Republican), Steve Rawlings (Republican), Matt Nunn (Republican), Gerald A. Neal (Democrat), Stephen Meredith (Republican), Scott Madon (Republican), Keturah J. Herron (Democrat), Greg Elkins (Republican), and Matthew Deneen (Republican).
What is the current status of SB 47?
This bill has passed the Senate. Introduced January 07, 2026. It now moves to the second chamber.
Where can I track SB 47?
Track SB 47 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

Make your voice heard on SB 47

Find the representatives who decide this bill and tell them where you stand — for yourself, or mobilize your whole list in one click with One Click Politics advocacy software.

Find my representatives → Run a campaign

Stay ahead of SB 47

Last checked for changes about 2 months ago · updated continuously

One Click Politics tracks every bill in Congress and all 50 states.

Track this bill →