Kentucky 2026 Regular Session Status: Passed House Bipartisan · 2 R · 1 D cosponsors

HB 416 — AN ACT relating to educators.

Last action — to Committee on Committees (S)

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

This bill has passed the House. Introduced January 15, 2026. It now moves to the second chamber.

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

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 68% · high confidence

  • Passed House

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 3 sponsors

    3 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (2 R · 1 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 161.028 to preclude the Education Professional Standards Board from requiring a minimum score on any assessment; require applicants to submit proof of completion of a formative basic skills assessment at the time of application; require applicants to submit results of a formative basic skills assessment prior to their first day of attendance; require the postsecondary institution provide supports for candidates aligned with their formative assessment performance; amend KRS 161.030 to require the Education Professional Standards Board to narrowly tailor content assessments to the area in which an applicant is seeking certification.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

316 added · 318 removed

316 line(s) added, 318 removed.

→
Previous
Latest
UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1309 AN ACT relating to educators.
UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 416/GA AN ACT relating to educators.
Not require achieving a minimum composite or component score on any assessment, including but not limited to a summative assessment, as a:
Require a student to have achieved a minimum composite or component score on a college admission examination;
i.
Condition of admission to a program;
ii.
Barrier to enrollment, continuation, or progression within a program;
or iii.
Requirement for clinical placement, student-teaching, or other field-based experience;
Require an applicant for an undergraduate initial certification program to complete and submit:
In lieu of meeting the requirements of subdivision a.
of this subparagraph, require an applicant for an undergraduate initial certification program to complete and submit:
At the time of initial application, verification that the candidate has completed a formative basic skills assessment selected by the Education Professional Standards Board Page 1 of 12 BR130900.100 - 1309 - XXXX 1/29/2026 2:18 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1309 and required by the college or university;
At the time of initial application, verification that the candidate has completed a formative basic skills assessment selected by the Education Professional Standards Board and required by the college or university;
of this subdivision, which shall be used by the college or university solely as a formative diagnostic assessment to determine areas where a candidate may require academic support, remediation, or supplemental instruction;
of this subdivision, which shall be used by the college or university Page 1 of 12 HB041610.100 - 1309 - XXXX 1/29/2026 2:28 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 416/GA solely as a formative diagnostic assessment to determine areas where a candidate may require academic support, remediation, or supplemental instruction;
College or university programs may be approved by the board for a college or university with regional institutional level accreditation or Page 2 of 12 BR130900.100 - 1309 - XXXX 1/29/2026 2:18 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1309 national institutional level accreditation that is recognized by the United States Department of Education and is eligible to receive federal funding under 20 U.S.C.
College or university programs may be approved by the board for a college or university with regional institutional level accreditation or national institutional level accreditation that is recognized by the United States Department of Education and is eligible to receive federal funding under 20 U.S.C.
a.[1.]The alignment of programs with the state's core content for assessment as defined in KRS 158.6457;
a.[1.]The alignment of programs with the state's core content for Page 2 of 12 HB041610.100 - 1309 - XXXX 1/29/2026 2:28 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 416/GA assessment as defined in KRS 158.6457;
(e) Discontinue approval of programs that do not meet standards or whose Page 3 of 12 BR130900.100 - 1309 - XXXX 1/29/2026 2:18 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1309 graduates do not perform according to criteria set by the board;
(e) Discontinue approval of programs that do not meet standards or whose graduates do not perform according to criteria set by the board;
(g) Develop specific guidelines to follow upon receipt of an allegation of sexual misconduct by an employee certified by the Education Professional Standards Board.
(g) Develop specific guidelines to follow upon receipt of an allegation of sexual Page 3 of 12 HB041610.100 - 1309 - XXXX 1/29/2026 2:28 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 416/GA misconduct by an employee certified by the Education Professional Standards Board.
(m) Charge reasonable fees for the issuance, reissuance, and renewal of Page 4 of 12 BR130900.100 - 1309 - XXXX 1/29/2026 2:18 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1309 certificates that are established by administrative regulation.
(m) Charge reasonable fees for the issuance, reissuance, and renewal of certificates that are established by administrative regulation.
(n) Waive a requirement that may be established in an administrative regulation promulgated by the board.
(n) Waive a requirement that may be established in an administrative regulation Page 4 of 12 HB041610.100 - 1309 - XXXX 1/29/2026 2:28 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 416/GA promulgated by the board.
The temporary certificate shall be Page 5 of 12 BR130900.100 - 1309 - XXXX 1/29/2026 2:18 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1309 valid for a maximum of two (2) years, and shall be contingent upon the candidate's continued enrollment in the preparation program and compliance with all requirements established by the board.
The temporary certificate shall be valid for a maximum of two (2) years, and shall be contingent upon the candidate's continued enrollment in the preparation program and compliance with all requirements established by the board.
(q) Employ consultants as needed;
Page 5 of 12 HB041610.100 - 1309 - XXXX 1/29/2026 2:28 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 416/GA (q) Employ consultants as needed;
Three (3) members representative of postsecondary institutions, two (2) of whom shall be deans of colleges of education at public universities and one (1) of whom shall be the chief academic officer or head of an educator preparation program of an independent not-for-profit college or Page 6 of 12 BR130900.100 - 1309 - XXXX 1/29/2026 2:18 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1309 university.
Three (3) members representative of postsecondary institutions, two (2) of whom shall be deans of colleges of education at public universities and one (1) of whom shall be the chief academic officer or head of an educator preparation program of an independent not-for-profit college or university.
If the General Assembly is not in session at the time of the appointment, persons appointed shall serve prior to confirmation, but the Governor shall seek the consent of the Senate at the next regular session or at an intervening extraordinary session if the matter is included in the call of the General Assembly.
If the General Assembly is not in session at the time of the appointment, persons appointed shall serve prior to confirmation, but the Governor shall seek the consent of the Senate at the next regular session or at Page 6 of 12 HB041610.100 - 1309 - XXXX 1/29/2026 2:28 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 416/GA an intervening extraordinary session if the matter is included in the call of the General Assembly.
Page 7 of 12 BR130900.100 - 1309 - XXXX 1/29/2026 2:18 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1309 (h) To carry out the functions relating to its duties and responsibilities, the board is empowered to receive donations and grants of funds;
(h) To carry out the functions relating to its duties and responsibilities, the board is empowered to receive donations and grants of funds;
(1) Notwithstanding the age of the pupil, the certification of all teachers and other school personnel, in public schools only, is vested in the Education Professional Standards Board.
Page 7 of 12 HB041610.100 - 1309 - XXXX 1/29/2026 2:28 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 416/GA (1) Notwithstanding the age of the pupil, the certification of all teachers and other school personnel, in public schools only, is vested in the Education Professional Standards Board.
Certification of all new teachers and teachers seeking additional Page 8 of 12 BR130900.100 - 1309 - XXXX 1/29/2026 2:18 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1309 certification shall require the successful completion of appropriate assessments prior to certification.
Certification of all new teachers and teachers seeking additional certification shall require the successful completion of appropriate assessments prior to certification.
The Education Professional Standards Board shall determine the minimum acceptable level of achievement on each assessment.
The Education Page 8 of 12 HB041610.100 - 1309 - XXXX 1/29/2026 2:28 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 416/GA Professional Standards Board shall determine the minimum acceptable level of achievement on each assessment.
Beginning July 1, 2027, the academic content assessments required for applicants in each certification selected by the Education Professional Standards Board shall be limited to the academic content area or areas in which an applicant is seeking certification.
Beginning July 1, 2027, the assessments required for applicants in each certification selected by the Education Professional Standards Board shall be limited to:
The academic content assessments selected shall be narrowly tailored to ensure academic achievement and competency of an applicant in the academic content area the applicant is seeking certification.
a.
The academic content area or areas in which an applicant is seeking certification;
and b.
Pedagogy or professional knowledge necessary for effective instruction.
The assessments selected shall be narrowly tailored to ensure academic achievement and competency in the relevant content area and instructional practice.
Upon successful completion of the required Page 9 of 12 BR130900.100 - 1309 - XXXX 1/29/2026 2:18 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1309 assessments, a professional certificate valid for five (5) years shall be issued.
Upon successful completion of the required assessments, a professional certificate valid for five (5) years shall be issued.
The Education Professional Standards Board shall promulgate administrative regulations to establish the standards and procedures for issuance of a conditional certificate.
The Education Professional Standards Board shall promulgate administrative Page 9 of 12 HB041610.100 - 1309 - XXXX 1/29/2026 2:28 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 416/GA regulations to establish the standards and procedures for issuance of a conditional certificate.
Page 10 of 12 BR130900.100 - 1309 - XXXX 1/29/2026 2:18 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1309 (6) (a) The Education Professional Standards Board shall issue a ten (10) year emeritus certificate to an applicant who has:
(6) (a) The Education Professional Standards Board shall issue a ten (10) year emeritus certificate to an applicant who has:
1.
Page 10 of 12 HB041610.100 - 1309 - XXXX 1/29/2026 2:28 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 416/GA 1.
(7) The Education Professional Standards Board shall approve the curricula of any college or university, or of any department thereof, for the training of teachers, and any nontraditional or alternative teacher preparation program offered in a public or private postsecondary education institution, private contractor, or state agency, and shall also approve the curricula of any local district alternative certification program, when the curricula comply with the administrative regulations of the Education Professional Standards Board for the issuance of certificates and when Page 11 of 12 BR130900.100 - 1309 - XXXX 1/29/2026 2:18 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1309 the institution has met the terms and conditions provided in KRS 161.010 to 161.120.
(7) The Education Professional Standards Board shall approve the curricula of any college or university, or of any department thereof, for the training of teachers, and any nontraditional or alternative teacher preparation program offered in a public or private postsecondary education institution, private contractor, or state agency, and shall also approve the curricula of any local district alternative certification program, when the curricula comply with the administrative regulations of the Education Professional Standards Board for the issuance of certificates and when the institution has met the terms and conditions provided in KRS 161.010 to 161.120.
Any student who has completed any of these curricula, as approved by the Education Professional Standards Board, and who has completed the prescribed requirements for the issuance of certificates shall be granted a certificate corresponding to the curricula completed.
Any student who has completed any of these curricula, as approved by the Page 11 of 12 HB041610.100 - 1309 - XXXX 1/29/2026 2:28 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 416/GA Education Professional Standards Board, and who has completed the prescribed requirements for the issuance of certificates shall be granted a certificate corresponding to the curricula completed.
Page 12 of 12 BR130900.100 - 1309 - XXXX 1/29/2026 2:18 PM Jacketed
Page 12 of 12 HB041610.100 - 1309 - XXXX 1/29/2026 2:28 PM GA
⬇ Download PDF
View plain text versions (2)

Action History

  1. to Committee on Committees (S)

  2. received in Senate

  3. 3rd reading, passed 95-0 with Floor Amendment (1)

  4. floor amendment (1) filed

  5. posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Friday, January 23, 2026

  6. 2nd reading, to Rules

  7. reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar

  8. to Primary and Secondary Education (H)

  9. to Committee on Committees (H)

  10. introduced in House

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

3 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 135 not signed on

Sponsors (3)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (135)

135 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 135 →

"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

Passed 95 Yea · 0 Nay · 5 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 17003
Republican 77002
Unaffiliated 1000
Total 95005
% of votes cast 95%0%0%5%
How each member voted (100)
Member Party Vote
Lewis — 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 Not Voting
Joshua Watkins Democrat Yea
Lindsey Burke Democrat Yea
Lisa Willner Democrat Not Voting
Mary Lou Marzian Democrat Yea
Matthew Lehman Democrat Yea
Nima Kulkarni Democrat Not Voting
Pamela Stevenson Democrat Yea
Rachel Roarx Democrat Yea
Sarah Stalker Democrat Yea
Tina Bojanowski Democrat Yea
Aaron Thompson Republican Yea
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 Yea
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 Yea
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 Not Voting
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 Not Voting
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

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 HB 416 do?
Amend KRS 161.028 to preclude the Education Professional Standards Board from requiring a minimum score on any assessment; require applicants to submit proof of completion of a formative basic skills assessment at the time of application; require applicants to submit results of a formative basic skills assessment prior to their first day of attendance; require the postsecondary institution provide supports for candidates aligned with their formative assessment performance; amend KRS 161.030 to require the Education Professional Standards Board to narrowly tailor content assessments to the area in which an applicant is seeking certification.
Who sponsors HB 416?
HB 416 is sponsored by William Lawrence (Republican), Daniel Grossberg (Democrat), and Mike Clines (Republican).
What is the current status of HB 416?
This bill has passed the House. Introduced January 15, 2026. It now moves to the second chamber.
Where can I track HB 416?
Track HB 416 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

Make your voice heard on HB 416

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 HB 416

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 →