Kentucky 2026 Regular Session Status: Enacted Bipartisan · 56 R · 7 D cosponsors

HB 5 — AN ACT relating to prison educational programs.

Last action — signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 64)

  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 February 12, 2026. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Andy Beshear (Democratic) on April 09, 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 98% · high confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 63 sponsors

    63 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (56 R · 7 D) — cross-party backing.

  • 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

Create new sections of KRS Chapter 197 to establish the Kentucky Community and Technical College System Prison Education Program within the Department of Corrections in partnership with the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) to provide inmates with job training; require KCTCS to construct a facility to house the program at Northpoint Training Center; establish convictions that preclude participation in the program; require the parties to enter into a memorandum of agreement establishing the responsibilities of each party; amend KRS 196.281 to establish entitlement to a certificate of employability upon successful completion of the program and require reporting by the department; amend KRS 335B.020 to establish that a person shall not be disqualified from public employment or obtaining an occupational license solely because of previous criminal conviction and obtaining a certificate of employment from the department shall constitute rebuttable evidence of rehabilitation and fitness for the occupation; amend KRS 355B.030 to remove a conviction of a Class A felony, Class B felony, or any other felony offense other than a conviction that would qualify the individual as a registrant as defined in KRS 17.500 as supportive of a rebuttable presumption of a connection between that conviction and a license issuance request.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

323 added · 427 removed

Plain-language change summary

The amendment to HB 5 establishes the Kentucky Community and Technical College System Prison Education Program, aimed at providing inmates with job training in high-demand fields. It also clarifies that this program will be located at the Northpoint Training Center and specifies the responsibilities of the department overseeing the program. Importantly, it restricts access to inmates serving life sentences without parole, those convicted of escape, or sex crimes. This change is significant because it focuses on preparing inmates for successful reintegration into the workforce, potentially reducing recidivism and benefiting the community.

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UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 5/GA AN ACT relating to prison educational programs.
CHAPTER 64 1 CHAPTER 64 ( HB 5 ) AN ACT relating to prison educational programs.
(1) The Kentucky Community and Technical College System Prison Education Program, or KCTCS Prison Education Program, is hereby established within the department to provide inmates with intensive, hands-on job training in high- demand workforce sectors.
(1) The Kentucky Community and Technical College System Prison Education Program, or KCTCS Prison Education Program, is hereby established within the department to provide inmates with intensive, hands- on job training in high-demand workforce sectors.
(5) (a) The department shall be responsible for the identification of candidates for Page 1 of 15 HB000510.100 - 1335 - XXXX 3/31/2026 8:45 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 5/GA the program, including recruitment and selection, in accordance with the restrictions set forth in subsection (4) of this section and as determined by the department.
(5) (a) The department shall be responsible for the identification of candidates for the program, including recruitment and selection, in accordance with the restrictions set forth in subsection (4) of this section and as determined by the department.
The capacity of academic instructors to provide industry- recommended and high-need training.
The capacity of academic instructors to provide industry-recommended and high-need training.
(b) The terms and conditions under which inmates may continue in the program;
Legislative Research Commission PDF Version ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY (b) The terms and conditions under which inmates may continue in the program;
Page 2 of 15 HB000510.100 - 1335 - XXXX 3/31/2026 8:45 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 5/GA 1.
1.
and Page 3 of 15 HB000510.100 - 1335 - XXXX 3/31/2026 8:45 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 5/GA (h) Any other regulations the department deems necessary and appropriate to carry out the requirements of this section.
and (h) Any other regulations the department deems necessary and appropriate to carry out the requirements of this section.
(e) Enter into and maintain all appropriate confidentiality and data protection agreements, including nondisclosure forms, for all academic instruction employees accessing Commonwealth data;
CHAPTER 64 3 (e) Enter into and maintain all appropriate confidentiality and data protection agreements, including nondisclosure forms, for all academic instruction employees accessing Commonwealth data;
and Page 4 of 15 HB000510.100 - 1335 - XXXX 3/31/2026 8:45 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 5/GA (g) Determine program placement with regard to a participant's academic readiness.
and (g) Determine program placement with regard to a participant's academic readiness.
(a) Establishing rules of conduct for inmates participating in the program and maintaining decision-making authority related to any disciplinary action for violations of the rules established under this paragraph;
(a) Establishing rules of conduct for inmates participating in the program and maintaining decision- making authority related to any disciplinary action for violations of the rules established under this paragraph;
(e) For the training required under paragraphs (c) and (d) of this subsection, Page 5 of 15 HB000510.100 - 1335 - XXXX 3/31/2026 8:45 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 5/GA providing modules related to:
(e) For the training required under paragraphs (c) and (d) of this subsection, providing modules related to:
1.
Legislative Research Commission PDF Version ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1.
Background checks of all KCTCS employees using the department's Page 6 of 15 HB000510.100 - 1335 - XXXX 3/31/2026 8:45 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 5/GA approved vendors and processes;
Background checks of all KCTCS employees using the department's approved vendors and processes;
Page 7 of 15 HB000510.100 - 1335 - XXXX 3/31/2026 8:45 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 5/GA (f) Establishing and maintaining a companion website section to inform participating inmate's families, department partners, and community supporters about the campus programs;
(f) Establishing and maintaining a companion website section to inform participating inmate's families, department partners, and community supporters about the campus programs;
d.
CHAPTER 64 5 d.
Page 8 of 15 HB000510.100 - 1335 - XXXX 3/31/2026 8:45 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 5/GA b.
b.
Page 9 of 15 HB000510.100 - 1335 - XXXX 3/31/2026 8:45 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 5/GA (a) The prisoner's criminal history in Kentucky;
(a) The prisoner's criminal history in Kentucky;
(2) When a prisoner is released, the department may, in conjunction with the Transportation Cabinet, issue to that prisoner an operator's license or personal identification card that is a voluntary travel ID document pursuant to KRS 186.417.
Legislative Research Commission PDF Version ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY (2) When a prisoner is released, the department may, in conjunction with the Transportation Cabinet, issue to that prisoner an operator's license or personal identification card that is a voluntary travel ID document pursuant to KRS 186.417.
Page 10 of 15 HB000510.100 - 1335 - XXXX 3/31/2026 8:45 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 5/GA i.[a.] An educational credit pursuant to KRS 197.045(1)(a)2.;
i.[a.] An educational credit pursuant to KRS 197.045(1)(a)2.;
ii.[b.]A program completion credit pursuant to KRS 197.045(1)(a)3.;
ii.[b.] A program completion credit pursuant to KRS 197.045(1)(a)3.;
A driver's license, commercial driver's license, or probationary license Page 11 of 15 HB000510.100 - 1335 - XXXX 3/31/2026 8:45 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 5/GA suspension, cancellation, or revocation;
A driver's license, commercial driver's license, or probationary license suspension, cancellation, or revocation;
(7) Upon request, the department shall confirm whether a certificate of employability has been issued to a named individual and whether the certificate is valid at the time of the inquiry and at the time of the department's response to that inquiry.
CHAPTER 64 7 (7) Upon request, the department shall confirm whether a certificate of employability has been issued to a named individual and whether the certificate is valid at the time of the inquiry and at the time of the department's response to that inquiry.
Page 12 of 15 HB000510.100 - 1335 - XXXX 3/31/2026 8:45 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 5/GA (9) (a) In a judicial or administrative proceeding alleging negligence or other fault, a certificate of employability issued to an individual under this section may be introduced as evidence of a person's due care in hiring, retaining, licensing, leasing to, admitting to a school or program, or otherwise transacting business or engaging in activity with the individual to whom the certificate of employability was issued if the person knew of the certificate at the time of the alleged negligence or other fault.
(9) (a) In a judicial or administrative proceeding alleging negligence or other fault, a certificate of employability issued to an individual under this section may be introduced as evidence of a person's due care in hiring, retaining, licensing, leasing to, admitting to a school or program, or otherwise transacting business or engaging in activity with the individual to whom the certificate of employability was issued if the person knew of the certificate at the time of the alleged negligence or other fault.
and (d) Beginning September 1, 2029, the data in subsection (7)(e) of Section 1 of Page 13 of 15 HB000510.100 - 1335 - XXXX 3/31/2026 8:45 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 5/GA this Act.
and (d) Beginning September 1, 2029, the data in subsection (7)(e) of Section 1 of this Act.
This rebuttable presumption shall not apply if the conviction would Page 14 of 15 HB000510.100 - 1335 - XXXX 3/31/2026 8:45 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 5/GA qualify the individual as a registrant as defined in KRS 17.500.
This rebuttable presumption shall not apply if the conviction would qualify the individual as a registrant as defined in KRS 17.500.
Section 5.
Legislative Research Commission PDF Version ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY Section 5.
Page 15 of 15 HB000510.100 - 1335 - XXXX 3/31/2026 8:45 PM GA
Signed by Governor April 9, 2026.
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Action History

  1. signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 64)

  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 Friday, March 27 2026

  8. taken from the Orders of the Day

  9. 2nd reading, to Rules as a consent bill

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

  11. to Judiciary (S)

  12. to Committee on Committees (S)

  13. received in Senate

  14. 3rd reading, passed 99-0 with Committee Substitute (1) and Floor Amendment (1)

  15. posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Tuesday, March 03 2026

  16. floor amendment (1) filed to Committee Substitute

  17. 2nd reading, to Rules

  18. reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute (1)

  19. to Judiciary (H)

  20. to Committee on Committees (H)

  21. introduced in House

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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63 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 75 not signed on

Sponsors (63)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (75)

75 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 75 →

"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 5

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 99 Yea · 0 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 20000
Republican 78001
Unaffiliated 1000
Total 99001
% of votes cast 99%0%0%1%
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 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 Not Voting
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 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

labor 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 5 do?
Create new sections of KRS Chapter 197 to establish the Kentucky Community and Technical College System Prison Education Program within the Department of Corrections in partnership with the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) to provide inmates with job training; require KCTCS to construct a facility to house the program at Northpoint Training Center; establish convictions that preclude participation in the program; require the parties to enter into a memorandum of agreement establishing the responsibilities of each party; amend KRS 196.281 to establish entitlement to a certificate of employability upon successful completion of the program and require reporting by the department; amend KRS 335B.020 to establish that a person shall not be disqualified from public employment or obtaining an occupational license solely because of previous criminal conviction and obtaining a certificate of employment from the department shall constitute rebuttable evidence of rehabilitation and fitness for the occupation; amend KRS 355B.030 to remove a conviction of a Class A felony, Class B felony, or any other felony offense other than a conviction that would qualify the individual as a registrant as defined in KRS 17.500 as supportive of a rebuttable presumption of a connection between that conviction and a license issuance request.
Who sponsors HB 5?
HB 5 is sponsored by Susan Witten (Republican), Nick Wilson (Republican), Wade Williams (Republican), Richard White (Republican), Mitch Whitaker (Republican), Bill Wesley (Republican), Timmy Truett (Republican), James Tipton (Republican), Walker Thomas (Republican), Nancy Tate (Republican), Tom Smith (Republican), Scott Sharp (Republican), Steven Rudy (Republican), T.J. Roberts (Republican), Rachel Roarx (Democrat), Marianne Proctor (Republican), Jason Nemes (Republican), Amy Neighbors (Republican), Kimberly Poore Moser (Republican), Adam Moore (Democrat), Suzanne Miles (Republican), David Meade (Republican), Shawn McPherson (Republican), Bobby McCool (Republican), Candy Massaroni (Republican), Savannah Maddox (Republican), Matt Lockett (Republican), Scott Lewis (Republican), Chris Lewis (Republican), Kim King (Republican), Kevin Jackson (Republican), Mary Beth Imes (Republican), Thomas Huff (Republican), Kim Holloway (Republican), John Hodgson (Republican), Mark Hart (Republican), Tony Hampton (Republican), Vanessa Grossl (Republican), Daniel Grossberg (Democrat), Peyton Griffee (Republican), Deanna Gordon (Republican), Al Gentry (Democrat), Chris Fugate (Republican), Chris Freeland (Republican), Ken Fleming (Republican), Patrick Flannery (Republican), Daniel Fister (Republican), Daniel Elliott (Republican), Robert Duvall (Republican), Myron Dossett (Republican), Josh Calloway (Republican), Emily Callaway (Republican), Lindsey Burke (Democrat), George Brown Jr. (Democrat), Randy Bridges (Republican), Steve Bratcher (Republican), John Blanton (Republican), Ryan Bivens (Republican), Jared Bauman (Republican), Shane Baker (Republican), Chad Aull (Democrat), David W. Osborne (Republican), and Jennifer Decker (Republican).
What is the current status of HB 5?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 12, 2026. Enacted.
Where can I track HB 5?
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