Kentucky 2026 Regular Session Status: Enacted 1 R cosponsors

HB 657 — AN ACT relating to professional licensing background checks.

Last action — signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 6)

  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 18, 2026. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Andy Beshear (Democratic) on March 27, 2026.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 72% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

High

How often bills like it became law.

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 1 sponsor

    1 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (1 R).

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 2 recorded votes 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

Create new sections of KRS Chapter 319, 319A, 334A, 335.010 to 335.160, and 335.500 to 335.599, relating to psychologists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists and audiologists, social workers, and professional counselors, to require a national and state background check for applicants seeking an initial license, reinstatement of a license, or authorization to practice in another state in accordance with a compact; provide that the results of a national and state criminal background check shall not be distributed by the board except to any applicant upon request or as evidence in a legal proceeding; provide that the fee charged by the Department of Kentucky State Police shall be an amount no greater than the actual cost of processing the request and conducting the background check; require the boards to review criminal background checks for every Kentucky licensee seeking to practice in another state before the board makes a determination on whether the person is eligible to apply for compact privileges; provide that boards shall not require a criminal background check solely for the purpose of renewing a license; and require boards to promulgate administrative regulations to implement this Act.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

196 added · 234 removed

196 line(s) added, 234 removed.

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Previous
Latest
UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 657/GA AN ACT relating to professional licensing background checks.
CHAPTER 6 1 CHAPTER 6 ( HB 657 ) AN ACT relating to professional licensing background checks.
May introduce the results under seal as evidence in a legal proceeding Page 1 of 8 HB065710.100 - 2120 - XXXX 3/6/2026 9:37 AM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 657/GA that involves a challenge to any disciplinary action taken by the board based in whole or in part on information contained in the results;
May introduce the results under seal as evidence in a legal proceeding that involves a challenge to any disciplinary action taken by the board based in whole or in part on information contained in the results;
and (c) Person licensed to engage in a profession authorized by the board who applies for authorization to engage in the practice of occupational therapy outside this Commonwealth in accordance with the occupational therapy licensure compact.
and Legislative Research Commission PDF Version ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY (c) Person licensed to engage in a profession authorized by the board who applies for authorization to engage in the practice of occupational therapy outside this Commonwealth in accordance with the occupational therapy licensure compact.
Page 2 of 8 HB065710.100 - 2120 - XXXX 3/6/2026 9:37 AM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 657/GA (2) The criminal background investigation under subsection (1) of this section shall be by means of a fingerprint check by the Department of Kentucky State Police and Federal Bureau of Investigation pursuant to the following requirements:
(2) The criminal background investigation under subsection (1) of this section shall be by means of a fingerprint check by the Department of Kentucky State Police and Federal Bureau of Investigation pursuant to the following requirements:
Page 3 of 8 HB065710.100 - 2120 - XXXX 3/6/2026 9:37 AM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 657/GA (5) Unless otherwise required by law, the board shall not require a criminal background check solely for the purpose of renewing a license.
(5) Unless otherwise required by law, the board shall not require a criminal background check solely for the purpose of renewing a license.
(c) The results of a national and state criminal background check shall not be distributed or otherwise released by the board, except that the board:
CHAPTER 6 3 (c) The results of a national and state criminal background check shall not be distributed or otherwise released by the board, except that the board:
Page 4 of 8 HB065710.100 - 2120 - XXXX 3/6/2026 9:37 AM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 657/GA 1.
1.
and (c) Person licensed to engage in a profession authorized by the board who Page 5 of 8 HB065710.100 - 2120 - XXXX 3/6/2026 9:37 AM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 657/GA applies for authorization to engage in the practice of social work outside this Commonwealth in accordance with the social work licensure compact.
and (c) Person licensed to engage in a profession authorized by the board who applies for authorization to engage in the practice of social work outside this Commonwealth in accordance with the social work licensure compact.
(3) The board shall review the criminal background check results for every person described in subsection (1)(c) of this section and determine whether the person is eligible to apply for the compact privilege to practice outside this Commonwealth.
Legislative Research Commission PDF Version ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY (3) The board shall review the criminal background check results for every person described in subsection (1)(c) of this section and determine whether the person is eligible to apply for the compact privilege to practice outside this Commonwealth.
(4) The board may require a criminal background check for any person licensed to Page 6 of 8 HB065710.100 - 2120 - XXXX 3/6/2026 9:37 AM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 657/GA engage in a profession authorized by the board who is the subject of a grievance alleging prohibited conduct as described in KRS 335.150.
(4) The board may require a criminal background check for any person licensed to engage in a profession authorized by the board who is the subject of a grievance alleging prohibited conduct as described in KRS 335.150.
Page 7 of 8 HB065710.100 - 2120 - XXXX 3/6/2026 9:37 AM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 657/GA (c) The results of a national and state criminal background check shall not be distributed or otherwise released by the board, except that the board:
(c) The results of a national and state criminal background check shall not be distributed or otherwise released by the board, except that the board:
Page 8 of 8 HB065710.100 - 2120 - XXXX 3/6/2026 9:37 AM GA
Signed by Governor March 27, 2026.
CHAPTER 6 5 Legislative Research Commission PDF Version
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View plain text versions (3)

Action History

  1. signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 6)

  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 36-1

  7. posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Tuesday, March 24 2026

  8. 2nd reading, to Rules

  9. reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar

  10. to Licensing & Occupations (S)

  11. to Committee on Committees (S)

  12. received in Senate

  13. 3rd reading, passed 91-0

  14. posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Friday, March 06 2026

  15. 2nd reading, to Rules

  16. reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar

  17. to Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations (H)

  18. to Committee on Committees (H)

  19. introduced in House

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 137 not signed on · 1 voted No

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (137)

137 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 137 →

"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 HB 657

Passed 36 Yea · 1 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 5000
Republican 31101
Total 36101
% of votes cast 95%3%0%3%
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 Nay
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 Not Voting
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 91 Yea · 0 Nay · 9 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 20000
Republican 70009
Unaffiliated 1001
Total 910010
% of votes cast 90%0%0%10%
How each member voted (101)
Member Party Vote
Lewis C — Yea
COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY SENATE — Not Voting
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 Not Voting
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 Not Voting
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 Not Voting
John Blanton Republican Not Voting
John Hodgson Republican Yea
Josh Branscum Republican Yea
Josh Bray Republican Yea
Josh Calloway Republican Yea
Ken Fleming Republican Yea
Ken Upchurch Republican Not Voting
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 Not Voting
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 Not Voting
Tony Hampton Republican Yea
Vanessa Grossl Republican Yea
Wade Williams Republican Yea
Walker Thomas Republican Yea
William Lawrence Republican Not Voting

Official roll call →

Subjects

public-safety labor
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 657 do?
Create new sections of KRS Chapter 319, 319A, 334A, 335.010 to 335.160, and 335.500 to 335.599, relating to psychologists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists and audiologists, social workers, and professional counselors, to require a national and state background check for applicants seeking an initial license, reinstatement of a license, or authorization to practice in another state in accordance with a compact; provide that the results of a national and state criminal background check shall not be distributed by the board except to any applicant upon request or as evidence in a legal proceeding; provide that the fee charged by the Department of Kentucky State Police shall be an amount no greater than the actual cost of processing the request and conducting the background check; require the boards to review criminal background checks for every Kentucky licensee seeking to practice in another state before the board makes a determination on whether the person is eligible to apply for compact privileges; provide that boards shall not require a criminal background check solely for the purpose of renewing a license; and require boards to promulgate administrative regulations to implement this Act.
Who sponsors HB 657?
HB 657 is sponsored by Stephanie Dietz (Republican).
What is the current status of HB 657?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 18, 2026. Enacted.
Where can I track HB 657?
Track HB 657 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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