Kentucky 2026 Regular Session Status: Passed Senate 3 R cosponsors

SB 162 — AN ACT relating to children.

Last action — to Committee on Committees (H)

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  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 February 04, 2026. It now moves to the second chamber.

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

Prognosis

Advancing 52% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

Moderate

How often bills like it became law.

  • Passed Senate

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 3 sponsors

    3 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (3 R).

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 1 recorded vote so far.

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

Summary

Amend KRS 610.030 to provide that a diversion agreement shall require that a child refrain from conduct that constitutes cause for suspension or expulsion from school; provide that for a child against whom a complaint alleging beyond the control of the school has been filed, the diversion agreement shall require that if the child is suspended or expelled during the diversion, the child will immediately be considered to have failed diversion and be referred to the county attorney for formal court action; repeal KRS 635.020 regarding the creation of the family accountability, intervention, and response teams; amend various sections to conform.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

144 added · 138 removed

Plain-language change summary

The amendment to Bill SB 162 has clarified that while regular members of the regional interagency councils cannot receive extra compensation beyond what they already earn as service providers or state employees, parent and youth members, as well as their alternates, are now explicitly allowed to be reimbursed by the regional councils. This change matters because it ensures that those parent and youth representatives can receive compensation for their out-of-pocket expenses while participating in important council activities, potentially encouraging more families to get involved in the system of care.

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UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1911 AN ACT relating to children.
UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 162/GA AN ACT relating to children.
1232g, when this section refers to the release of Page 1 of 21 XXXX 2/4/2026 9:02 AM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1911 educational records, the purpose of the release shall be limited to providing the juvenile justice system with the ability to effectively serve, prior to adjudication, the needs of the student whose records are sought.
1232g, when this section refers to the release of Page 1 of 21 SB016210.100 - 1911 - XXXX 2/24/2026 3:16 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 162/GA educational records, the purpose of the release shall be limited to providing the juvenile justice system with the ability to effectively serve, prior to adjudication, the needs of the student whose records are sought.
Those children placed or financed by the Cabinet for Health and Page 2 of 21 XXXX 2/4/2026 9:02 AM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1911 Family Services in a private facility pursuant to child care agreements including those for therapeutic foster care and excluding those for nontherapeutic foster care;
Those children placed or financed by the Cabinet for Health and Page 2 of 21 SB016210.100 - 1911 - XXXX 2/24/2026 3:16 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 162/GA Family Services in a private facility pursuant to child care agreements including those for therapeutic foster care and excluding those for nontherapeutic foster care;
Page 3 of 21 XXXX 2/4/2026 9:02 AM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1911 2.
Page 3 of 21 SB016210.100 - 1911 - XXXX 2/24/2026 3:16 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 162/GA 2.
Page 4 of 21 XXXX 2/4/2026 9:02 AM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1911 (5) The Department of Juvenile Justice shall contract with a public university or nonprofit education entity utilizing all funds generated by the children in state agency programs, except Oakwood and Hazelwood funds, and the funds in the Kentucky Department of Education budget, pursuant to this section, as well as any other educational funds for which all Kentucky children are entitled.
Page 4 of 21 SB016210.100 - 1911 - XXXX 2/24/2026 3:16 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 162/GA (5) The Department of Juvenile Justice shall contract with a public university or nonprofit education entity utilizing all funds generated by the children in state agency programs, except Oakwood and Hazelwood funds, and the funds in the Kentucky Department of Education budget, pursuant to this section, as well as any other educational funds for which all Kentucky children are entitled.
The executive director of the Office for Children with Special Health Care Needs;[,] Page 5 of 21 XXXX 2/4/2026 9:02 AM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1911 9.
The executive director of the Office for Children with Special Health Care Needs;[,] Page 5 of 21 SB016210.100 - 1911 - XXXX 2/24/2026 3:16 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 162/GA 9.
The parent member and alternate parent member shall receive no compensation in addition to that which they may already receive as service providers or state employees who are required to attend as part of their duties, but the parent member and Page 6 of 21 XXXX 2/4/2026 9:02 AM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1911 alternate parent member shall be reimbursed for expenses incurred through the performance of their duties as council members if it is outside the scope of their job duties;
The parent member and alternate parent member shall receive no compensation in addition to that which they may already receive as service providers or state employees who are required to attend as part of their duties, but the parent member and Page 6 of 21 SB016210.100 - 1911 - XXXX 2/24/2026 3:16 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 162/GA alternate parent member shall be reimbursed for expenses incurred through the performance of their duties as council members if it is outside the scope of their job duties;
(d) The chairperson of the council shall appoint one (1) member of a nonprofit family organization representing consumers of services and supports within the system of care whose membership, leadership, and governance include parents, primary caregivers, or children or transition-age youth with serious Page 7 of 21 XXXX 2/4/2026 9:02 AM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1911 emotional, behavioral, or mental health needs, to serve as a member of the council.
(d) The chairperson of the council shall appoint one (1) member of a nonprofit family organization representing consumers of services and supports within the system of care whose membership, leadership, and governance include parents, primary caregivers, or children or transition-age youth with serious Page 7 of 21 SB016210.100 - 1911 - XXXX 2/24/2026 3:16 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 162/GA emotional, behavioral, or mental health needs, to serve as a member of the council.
Participate in family accountability, intervention, and response teams established pursuant to KRS 605.035;] (c) Assess the effectiveness of regional councils in serving as the locus of Page 8 of 21 XXXX 2/4/2026 9:02 AM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1911 accountability for the system of care for children and transition-age youth with or at risk of behavioral health needs;
Participate in family accountability, intervention, and response teams established pursuant to KRS 605.035;] (c) Assess the effectiveness of regional councils in serving as the locus of Page 8 of 21 SB016210.100 - 1911 - XXXX 2/24/2026 3:16 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 162/GA accountability for the system of care for children and transition-age youth with or at risk of behavioral health needs;
Page 9 of 21 XXXX 2/4/2026 9:02 AM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1911 (d) One (1) parent of a child with a behavioral health need, who is or has been a consumer of system of care services and supports, and one (1) parent who meets the same criteria to serve as the parent member's alternate, who may attend and participate in all council meetings, but shall vote only in the absence of the parent member.
Page 9 of 21 SB016210.100 - 1911 - XXXX 2/24/2026 3:16 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 162/GA (d) One (1) parent of a child with a behavioral health need, who is or has been a consumer of system of care services and supports, and one (1) parent who meets the same criteria to serve as the parent member's alternate, who may attend and participate in all council meetings, but shall vote only in the absence of the parent member.
Appointees shall serve a term of two (2) years, and may be reappointed to additional two (2) year Page 10 of 21 XXXX 2/4/2026 9:02 AM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1911 terms.
Appointees shall serve a term of two (2) years, and may be reappointed to additional two (2) year Page 10 of 21 SB016210.100 - 1911 - XXXX 2/24/2026 3:16 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 162/GA terms.
(2) No member of a regional interagency council for the system of care shall be given compensation in addition to that which they already receive as service providers or state employees, except that the parent and youth members and alternate parent and youth members of regional interagency councils shall be reimbursed by the regional interagency council's contracted fiscal agent for all expenses incurred through the performance of their duties as council members if it is outside the scope of their job duties.
(2) A[No] member of a regional interagency council for the system of care shall not be given compensation in addition to that which they already receive as service providers or state employees, except that the parent and youth members and alternate parent and youth members of regional interagency councils shall be reimbursed by the regional interagency council's contracted fiscal agent for all expenses incurred through the performance of their duties as council members if it is outside the scope of their job duties.
(e) Initiate and adopt interagency agreements as necessary for providing services and supports to children and transition-age youth with or at risk of behavioral Page 11 of 21 XXXX 2/4/2026 9:02 AM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1911 health needs by the agencies represented in the regional council;
(e) Initiate and adopt interagency agreements as necessary for providing services and supports to children and transition-age youth with or at risk of behavioral Page 11 of 21 SB016210.100 - 1911 - XXXX 2/24/2026 3:16 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 162/GA health needs by the agencies represented in the regional council;
(4) The secretary for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services and the designee of the State Department of Education shall ensure that regional interagency councils for the system of care are formed.
(4) The secretary of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services and the designee of the Kentucky[State] Department of Education shall ensure that regional interagency councils for the system of care are formed.
(i) Make advisory dispositional recommendations and provide, within forty-eight Page 12 of 21 XXXX 2/4/2026 9:02 AM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1911 (48) hours, exclusive of weekends and holidays, information concerning a child who has chosen to waive the investigation pursuant to KRS 610.100;
(i) Make advisory dispositional recommendations and provide, within forty-eight Page 12 of 21 SB016210.100 - 1911 - XXXX 2/24/2026 3:16 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 162/GA (48) hours, exclusive of weekends and holidays, information concerning a child who has chosen to waive the investigation pursuant to KRS 610.100;
Page 13 of 21 XXXX 2/4/2026 9:02 AM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1911 Section 6.
Page 13 of 21 SB016210.100 - 1911 - XXXX 2/24/2026 3:16 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 162/GA Section 6.
In any case where the court-designated worker finds that the complaint is Page 14 of 21 XXXX 2/4/2026 9:02 AM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1911 incomplete, the court-designated worker shall return the complaint without delay to the person or agency originating the complaint or having knowledge of the facts, or to the appropriate law enforcement agency having investigative jurisdiction of the offense, and request additional information in order to complete the complaint.
In any case where the court-designated worker finds that the complaint is Page 14 of 21 SB016210.100 - 1911 - XXXX 2/24/2026 3:16 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 162/GA incomplete, the court-designated worker shall return the complaint without delay to the person or agency originating the complaint or having knowledge of the facts, or to the appropriate law enforcement agency having investigative jurisdiction of the offense, and request additional information in order to complete the complaint.
That all information supplied by the child to a court-designated worker during any process prior to the filing of the petition shall be deemed confidential and shall not be subject to subpoena or to disclosure Page 15 of 21 XXXX 2/4/2026 9:02 AM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1911 without the written consent of the child.
That all information supplied by the child to a court-designated worker during any process prior to the filing of the petition shall be deemed confidential and shall not be subject to subpoena or to disclosure Page 15 of 21 SB016210.100 - 1911 - XXXX 2/24/2026 3:16 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 162/GA without the written consent of the child.
If the complaint alleges a status offense, determine that no further action Page 16 of 21 XXXX 2/4/2026 9:02 AM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1911 be taken[ subject to review by the family accountability, intervention, and response team];
If the complaint alleges a status offense, determine that no further action Page 16 of 21 SB016210.100 - 1911 - XXXX 2/24/2026 3:16 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 162/GA be taken[ subject to review by the family accountability, intervention, and response team];
Require that the child regularly attend school and refrain from conduct that constitutes cause for suspension or Page 17 of 21 XXXX 2/4/2026 9:02 AM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1911 expulsion from school;[ and] ii.
Require that the child regularly attend school and refrain from conduct that constitutes cause for suspension or Page 17 of 21 SB016210.100 - 1911 - XXXX 2/24/2026 3:16 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 162/GA expulsion from school;[ and] ii.
For a child against whom a complaint alleging truancy has been filed, require that if the child is absent from school without excuse for four (4) days during a diversion agreement, the child shall immediately be considered to have failed to complete the diversion agreement and subsection (9)(b)3.
For a child against whom a complaint alleging truancy has been filed, require that if the child is absent from school without excuse for four (4) days during the[a] diversion agreement, the child shall immediately be considered to have failed to complete the diversion agreement and subsection (9)(b)3.
For a child against whom a complaint alleging the child is beyond control of the school, require that if the child is suspended or expelled during a diversion agreement, the child shall immediately be considered to have failed to complete the diversion agreement and subsection (9)(b)4.
For a child against whom a complaint alleging the child is beyond the control of the school has been filed, require that if the child is suspended or expelled during the diversion agreement due solely to a behavioral incident that takes place after the child enters into the diversion agreement, and upon consultation between the court-designated worker and the county attorney, the county attorney determines that the child had adequate opportunity to engage in any available services referred by the court- designated worker, the child shall immediately be considered to have failed to complete the diversion agreement and subsection (9)(b)4.
iii.
Page 18 of 21 SB016210.100 - 1911 - XXXX 2/24/2026 3:16 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 162/GA iii.
Any other program or effort which reasonably benefits the Page 18 of 21 XXXX 2/4/2026 9:02 AM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1911 community and the child;
Any other program or effort which reasonably benefits the community and the child;
For a public offense complaint, the matter shall be referred to the county attorney for formal court action and, if a petition is filed, the child may request that the court dismiss the complaint based upon his or her substantial compliance with the terms of diversion;
For a public offense complaint, the matter shall be referred to the county attorney for formal court action and, if a petition is filed, the child may Page 19 of 21 SB016210.100 - 1911 - XXXX 2/24/2026 3:16 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 162/GA request that the court dismiss the complaint based upon his or her substantial compliance with the terms of diversion;
of this paragraph, the court- designated worker shall refer the matter to the county attorney for consultation and, if a petition is filed, the child may request that the court dismiss the complaint based upon his or her substantial Page 19 of 21 XXXX 2/4/2026 9:02 AM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1911 compliance with the terms of the diversion;[family accountability, intervention, and response team for review and further action;
of this paragraph, the court- designated worker shall refer the matter to the county attorney for consultation and, if a petition is filed, the child may request that the court dismiss the complaint based upon his or her substantial compliance with the terms of the diversion;[family accountability, intervention, and response team for review and further action;
For a status offense complaint alleging beyond control of school for which the child failed diversion in accordance with subsection (8)(b)1.a.iii.
For a status offense complaint alleging beyond the control of the school for which the child failed diversion in accordance with subsection (8)(b)1.a.iii.
(c) If the child enters into a diversion agreement [or is referred to the family accountability, intervention, and response team ]for truancy and there is no action implemented by the court-designated worker[family accountability, intervention, and response team] within thirty (30) days, the court-designated worker[family accountability, intervention, and response team] shall report to the court the reasons for inaction and shall provide a plan for action on the child's case.
(c) [If the child enters into a diversion agreement or is referred to the family accountability, intervention, and response team for truancy and there is no action implemented by the family accountability, intervention, and response team within thirty (30) days, the family accountability, intervention, and response team shall report to the court the reasons for inaction and shall provide a plan for action on the child's case.
The court shall review on the record any diversion agreement and any report, without the attendance or appearance of the child, at regular intervals at the court's discretion to verify the court-designated worker's[family accountability, intervention, and response team member attendance, team accountability, and] performance.
The court shall review on the record any diversion agreement and any report, without the attendance or appearance of the child, at regular intervals at the court's discretion to verify family accountability, intervention, and response team member attendance, team accountability, and performance.
(d) If a child fails to appear for a preliminary intake inquiry or fails to complete a diversion agreement due to lack of parental cooperation, the court-designated worker shall make a determination that the child failed to complete the diversion due to lack of parent cooperation;
Page 20 of 21 SB016210.100 - 1911 - XXXX 2/24/2026 3:16 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 162/GA (d) ]If a child fails to appear for a preliminary intake inquiry or fails to complete a diversion agreement due to lack of parental cooperation, the court-designated worker shall make a determination that the child failed to complete the diversion due to lack of parent cooperation;
(10) If a complaint is referred to the court, the complaint and findings of the court- designated worker's preliminary intake inquiry shall be submitted to the court for Page 20 of 21 XXXX 2/4/2026 9:02 AM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1911 the court to determine whether process should issue;
(10) If a complaint is referred to the court, the complaint and findings of the court- designated worker's preliminary intake inquiry shall be submitted to the court for the court to determine whether process should issue;
Page 21 of 21 XXXX 2/4/2026 9:02 AM Jacketed
Page 21 of 21 SB016210.100 - 1911 - XXXX 2/24/2026 3:16 PM GA
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How this bill changes current law

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

The bill amends existing law to remove references to family accountability, intervention, and response teams and updates the definition of state agency children in KRS 158.135.

  • KRS 17.125

    i) All family accountability, intervention, and response teams

    This change removes family accountability, intervention, and response teams from the list of agencies required to share information on juveniles.

  • KRS 158.135

    family accountability, intervention, and response team as described in KRS 605.035

    This change updates the definition of 'state agency children' to eliminate references to family accountability, intervention, and response teams, reflecting the repeal of KRS 605.035.

Action History

  1. to Committee on Committees (H)

  2. received in House

  3. 3rd reading, passed 30-7 with Committee Substitute (1)

  4. posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Tuesday, February 24 2026

  5. 2nd reading, to Rules

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

  7. to Judiciary (S)

  8. to Committee on Committees (S)

  9. introduced in Senate

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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3 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 135 not signed on · 7 voted No

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 SB 162 w/ SCS 1

Passed 30 Yea · 7 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 30201
Democrat 0500
Total 30701
% of votes cast 79%18%0%3%
How each member voted (38)
Member Party Vote
Cassie Chambers Armstrong Democrat Nay
Gary Clemons Democrat Nay
Gerald A. Neal Democrat Nay
Karen Berg Democrat Nay
Keturah J. Herron Democrat Nay
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 Not Voting
Rick Girdler Republican Yea
Robby Mills Republican Yea
Robert Stivers Republican Yea
Robin L. Webb Republican Nay
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 Nay

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 SB 162 do?
Amend KRS 610.030 to provide that a diversion agreement shall require that a child refrain from conduct that constitutes cause for suspension or expulsion from school; provide that for a child against whom a complaint alleging beyond the control of the school has been filed, the diversion agreement shall require that if the child is suspended or expelled during the diversion, the child will immediately be considered to have failed diversion and be referred to the county attorney for formal court action; repeal KRS 635.020 regarding the creation of the family accountability, intervention, and response teams; amend various sections to conform.
Who sponsors SB 162?
SB 162 is sponsored by Gex Williams (Republican), Matt Nunn (Republican), and Stephen West (Republican).
What is the current status of SB 162?
This bill has passed the Senate. Introduced February 04, 2026. It now moves to the second chamber.
Where can I track SB 162?
Track SB 162 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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