Kentucky 2026 Regular Session Status: Passed House Bipartisan · 3 R · 2 D cosponsors

HB 418 — AN ACT relating to domestic violence.

Last action — returned 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 72% · high confidence

  • Passed House

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 5 sponsors

    5 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (3 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

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 403 to prohibit the removal from custody or the reduction in parenting time of a party solely for improvement of relationship between the child and the other party where the court has made a finding of domestic violence or abuse; require the court to make considerations of scientific validity prior to ordering therapy for reunification; require orders remediating the resistance of a child to contact with a violent or abusive parent to primarily address the behavior of that parent; amend KRS 403.270 to require a court to consider allegations of domestic violence or abuse and make written findings on the record prior to consideration of other factors relevant to determination of custody; add malicious false allegations of child abuse as a factor to be considered in custody determinations; amend KRS 403.290 to require paid visitation supervisors and parenting coordinators in custody proceedings to receive specialized training; amend KRS 403.315 to provide for a rebuttable presumption that joint custody and shared equal parenting time are not in the best interests of the child where the court finds that a party has committed 2 or more acts of domestic violence or abuse against another party; require a parent found to have committed 2 or more acts of domestic violence or abuse against another party to undergo counseling or treatment prior to being awarded custody of a child; amend KRS 403.727 to require guardians ad litem to receive specialized training for proceedings involving petitions for orders of protection for minors; allow victim advocates to attend evidentiary hearings in orders of protection proceedings involving minors; amend KRS 456.035 to require guardians ad litem to receive specialized training for proceedings involving interpersonal orders of protection for minors; allow victim advocates to attend evidentiary hearings on interpersonal orders of protection proceedings involving minors.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

247 added · 272 removed

247 line(s) added, 272 removed.

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Latest
UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1124 AN ACT relating to domestic violence.
UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 418/GA AN ACT relating to domestic violence.
(2) The court in determining whether to order therapy for purposes of reunification with an offending party shall consider whether:
and (2) Any order to remediate resistance of a child to contact with a violent or abusive parent shall primarily address the behavior of that parent.
(a) There is accepted and scientifically valid proof of the safety, effectiveness, and therapeutic value of the therapy;
and (b) The therapy is predicated upon cutting off contact between the child and the nonoffending party;
and (3) Any order to remediate resistance of a child to contact with a violent or abusive parent shall primarily address the behavior of that parent.
(1) (a) As used in this chapter and KRS 405.020, unless the context requires otherwise, "de facto custodian" means a person who has been shown by clear and convincing evidence to have been the primary caregiver for, and financial supporter of, a child who within the last two (2) years has resided with the person for an aggregate period of six (6) months or more if the child is under Page 1 of 10 XXXX 1/12/2026 3:30 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1124 three (3) years of age and for an aggregate period of one (1) year or more if the child is three (3) years of age or older or has been placed by the Department for Community Based Services.
(1) (a) As used in this chapter and KRS 405.020, unless the context requires otherwise, "de facto custodian" means a person who has been shown by clear and convincing evidence to have been the primary caregiver for, and financial supporter of, a child who within the last two (2) years has resided with the person for an aggregate period of six (6) months or more if the child is under three (3) years of age and for an aggregate period of one (1) year or more if the child is three (3) years of age or older or has been placed by the Department for Community Based Services.
(b) A person shall not be a de facto custodian until a court determines by clear and convincing evidence that the person meets the definition of de facto custodian established in paragraph (a) of this subsection.
Page 1 of 9 HB041810.100 - 1124 - XXXX 3/4/2026 2:27 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 418/GA (b) A person shall not be a de facto custodian until a court determines by clear and convincing evidence that the person meets the definition of de facto custodian established in paragraph (a) of this subsection.
Page 2 of 10 XXXX 1/12/2026 3:30 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1124 committed by one (1) party against another party or a child of the parties;
committed by one (1) party against another party or a child of the parties;
(a) The wishes of the child's parent or parents, and any de facto custodian, as to his or her custody;
Page 2 of 9 HB041810.100 - 1124 - XXXX 3/4/2026 2:27 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 418/GA (a) The wishes of the child's parent or parents, and any de facto custodian, as to his or her custody;
(h) A finding by the court that a party has maliciously made an intentionally false allegation of child abuse which has no basis in fact and which the Page 3 of 10 XXXX 1/12/2026 3:30 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1124 party knew had no basis in fact against another party;
(h) A finding by the court that a party has maliciously made an intentionally false allegation of child abuse which has no basis in fact and which the party knew had no basis in fact against another party;
(k)[(j)] The circumstances under which the child was placed or allowed to remain in the custody of a de facto custodian, including whether the parent now seeking custody was previously prevented from doing so as a result of domestic violence as defined in KRS 403.720 and whether the child was placed with a de facto custodian to allow the parent now seeking custody to seek employment, work, or attend school;
(k)[(j)] The circumstances under which the child was placed or allowed to Page 3 of 9 HB041810.100 - 1124 - XXXX 3/4/2026 2:27 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 418/GA remain in the custody of a de facto custodian, including whether the parent now seeking custody was previously prevented from doing so as a result of domestic violence as defined in KRS 403.720 and whether the child was placed with a de facto custodian to allow the parent now seeking custody to seek employment, work, or attend school;
The court may permit counsel to be present Page 4 of 10 XXXX 1/12/2026 3:30 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1124 at the interview.
The court may permit counsel to be present at the interview.
(3) (a) Paid visitation supervisors and parenting coordinators in a custody proceeding under this chapter, whether appointed by the court or engaged by one (1) or more parties, shall document participation training focused on the following:
Page 4 of 9 HB041810.100 - 1124 - XXXX 3/4/2026 2:27 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 418/GA (3) (a) Paid visitation supervisors and parenting coordinators in a custody proceeding under this chapter, whether appointed by the court or engaged by one (1) or more parties, shall document participation training focused on the following:
If a domestic violence order is being or has been Page 5 of 10 XXXX 1/12/2026 3:30 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1124 entered against a party by another party or on behalf of a child at issue in the custody hearing, the presumption that joint custody and equally shared parenting time is in the best interests[interest] of the child shall not apply as to the party against whom the domestic violence order is being or has been entered.
If a domestic violence order is being or has been entered against a party by another party or on behalf of a child at issue in the custody hearing, the presumption that joint custody and equally shared parenting time is in the best interests[interest] of the child shall not apply as to the party against whom the domestic violence order is being or has been entered.
(2) There shall be a presumption, rebuttable by a preponderance of the evidence, that joint custody and equally shared parenting time is not in the best interests of the child if the court finds that a party has committed two (2) or more acts of domestic violence and abuse as defined in KRS 403.720 against another party.
Page 5 of 9 HB041810.100 - 1124 - XXXX 3/4/2026 2:27 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 418/GA (2) There shall be a presumption, rebuttable by a preponderance of the evidence, that joint custody and equally shared parenting time is not in the best interests of the child if the court finds that a party has committed two (2) or more acts of domestic violence and abuse as defined in KRS 403.720 against another party.
(1) Any petition filed under KRS 403.725 on behalf of a minor who is alleged to be a Page 6 of 10 XXXX 1/12/2026 3:30 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1124 victim of domestic violence and abuse, or in which a minor is named as a respondent or petitioner, shall comply with the requirements in that section and shall:
(1) Any petition filed under KRS 403.725 on behalf of a minor who is alleged to be a victim of domestic violence and abuse, or in which a minor is named as a respondent or petitioner, shall comply with the requirements in that section and shall:
(2) (a) If the court orders an evidentiary hearing under KRS 403.730(1)(a), a guardian ad litem shall be appointed for any unrepresented minor who is a respondent to the action or a petitioner who is an alleged victim of domestic violence and abuse.
Page 6 of 9 HB041810.100 - 1124 - XXXX 3/4/2026 2:27 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 418/GA (2) (a) If the court orders an evidentiary hearing under KRS 403.730(1)(a), a guardian ad litem shall be appointed for any unrepresented minor who is a respondent to the action or a petitioner who is an alleged victim of domestic violence and abuse.
(c) The guardian ad litem shall document participation in training on the role of counsel that includes information on the following:
1.
Early childhood, child, and adolescent development;
2.
Dynamics of domestic violence;
3.
Effects of domestic violence on adult and child victims;
4.
Lethality and risk issues;
5.
Model protocols for addressing domestic violence;
and 6.
Available community resources and victims' services.
Minor petitioner or adult who has filed the petition on behalf of the Page 7 of 10 XXXX 1/12/2026 3:30 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1124 minor declines the services offered;
Minor petitioner or adult who has filed the petition on behalf of the minor declines the services offered;
Proceedings against a minor respondent for offenses other than a violation of an order of protection shall proceed:
Proceedings against a minor respondent for offenses other than a violation of an Page 7 of 9 HB041810.100 - 1124 - XXXX 3/4/2026 2:27 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 418/GA order of protection shall proceed:
(2) (a) If the court orders an evidentiary hearing under KRS 456.040(1)(a), a Page 8 of 10 XXXX 1/12/2026 3:30 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1124 guardian ad litem shall be appointed for any unrepresented minor who is a respondent to the action or a petitioner who is an alleged victim of dating violence and abuse, sexual assault, or stalking.
(2) (a) If the court orders an evidentiary hearing under KRS 456.040(1)(a), a guardian ad litem shall be appointed for any unrepresented minor who is a respondent to the action or a petitioner who is an alleged victim of dating violence and abuse, sexual assault, or stalking.
(c) The guardian ad litem shall document participation in training on the role of counsel that includes information on the following:
1.
Early childhood, child, and adolescent development;
2.
Dynamics of domestic violence;
3.
Effects of domestic violence on adult and child victims;
Show all 49 changed rows (9 more)
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4.
Lethality and risk issues;
5.
Model protocols for addressing domestic violence;
and 6.
Available community resources and victims' services.
Court, upon motion and for good cause shown, determines that the exclusion is in the best interests of the minor petitioner.
Court, upon motion and for good cause shown, determines that the Page 8 of 9 HB041810.100 - 1124 - XXXX 3/4/2026 2:27 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 418/GA exclusion is in the best interests of the minor petitioner.
(4)[(3)] Violation of the terms or conditions of an order of protection issued under KRS 456.060 after the person has been served or given notice of the order shall constitute contempt of court and may constitute a criminal offense pursuant to KRS 456.180 if the offender is an adult or a public offense under KRS 600.020(51) if the Page 9 of 10 XXXX 1/12/2026 3:30 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1124 offender is a juvenile.
(4)[(3)] Violation of the terms or conditions of an order of protection issued under KRS 456.060 after the person has been served or given notice of the order shall constitute contempt of court and may constitute a criminal offense pursuant to KRS 456.180 if the offender is an adult or a public offense under KRS 600.020(51) if the offender is a juvenile.
Page 10 of 10 XXXX 1/12/2026 3:30 PM Jacketed
Page 9 of 9 HB041810.100 - 1124 - XXXX 3/4/2026 2:27 PM GA
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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 modifies child custody law to enhance protections for nonoffending parents in domestic violence cases.

  • KRS 403.270

    (2) Any order to remediate resistance of a child to contact with a violent or abusive parent shall primarily address the behavior of that parent.

    This provision mandates that any order to address a child's reluctance to engage with an abusive parent must focus on the abusive parent's conduct.

  • KRS 403.315

    the presumption that joint custody and equally shared parenting time is in the best interests of the child shall not apply as to the party against whom the domestic violence order is being or has been entered. → the presumption that joint custody and equally shared parenting time is not in the best interests of the child if the court finds that a party has committed two (2) or more acts of domestic violence and abuse as defined in KRS 403.720 against another party.

    This change clarifies that the presumption against joint custody applies when a party has committed multiple acts of domestic violence.

  • KRS 403.315

    the presumption that joint custody and equally shared parenting time is in the best interests[interest] of the child → the presumption that joint custody and equally shared parenting time is not in the best interests of the child

    This change specifies that joint custody is presumed not to be in the child's best interest under certain conditions of domestic violence.

  • KRS 403.270

    there shall be a presumption, rebuttable by a preponderance of evidence, that joint custody and equally shared parenting time is in the best interests of the child. → there shall be a presumption, rebuttable by a preponderance of evidence, that joint custody and equally shared parenting time is not in the best interests of the child.

    This amendment shifts the presumption to a negative one regarding joint custody when domestic violence is identified.

Action History

  1. returned to Committee on Committees (S)

  2. 1st reading

  3. taken from Committee on Committees (S)

  4. to Committee on Committees (S)

  5. received in Senate

  6. 3rd reading, passed 96-1 with Committee Substitute (1)

  7. posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Wednesday, March 04 2026

  8. 2nd reading, to Rules

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

  10. to Families & Children (H)

  11. to Committee on Committees (H)

  12. introduced in House

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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5 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 133 not signed on · 1 voted No

Sponsors (5)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (133)

133 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 133 →

"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 96 Yea · 1 Nay · 3 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 20000
Republican 75103
Unaffiliated 1000
Total 96103
% of votes cast 96%1%0%3%
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 Nay
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 Not Voting
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 Not Voting
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

public-safety civil-rights
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 418 do?
Create a new section of KRS Chapter 403 to prohibit the removal from custody or the reduction in parenting time of a party solely for improvement of relationship between the child and the other party where the court has made a finding of domestic violence or abuse; require the court to make considerations of scientific validity prior to ordering therapy for reunification; require orders remediating the resistance of a child to contact with a violent or abusive parent to primarily address the behavior of that parent; amend KRS 403.270 to require a court to consider allegations of domestic violence or abuse and make written findings on the record prior to consideration of other factors relevant to determination of custody; add malicious false allegations of child abuse as a factor to be considered in custody determinations; amend KRS 403.290 to require paid visitation supervisors and parenting coordinators in custody proceedings to receive specialized training; amend KRS 403.315 to provide for a rebuttable presumption that joint custody and shared equal parenting time are not in the best interests of the child where the court finds that a party has committed 2 or more acts of domestic violence or abuse against another party; require a parent found to have committed 2 or more acts of domestic violence or abuse against another party to undergo counseling or treatment prior to being awarded custody of a child; amend KRS 403.727 to require guardians ad litem to receive specialized training for proceedings involving petitions for orders of protection for minors; allow victim advocates to attend evidentiary hearings in orders of protection proceedings involving minors; amend KRS 456.035 to require guardians ad litem to receive specialized training for proceedings involving interpersonal orders of protection for minors; allow victim advocates to attend evidentiary hearings on interpersonal orders of protection proceedings involving minors.
Who sponsors HB 418?
HB 418 is sponsored by Kim Holloway (Republican), Vanessa Grossl (Republican), Beverly Chester-Burton (Democrat), George Brown Jr. (Democrat), and Jason Nemes (Republican).
What is the current status of HB 418?
This bill has passed the House. Introduced January 15, 2026. It now moves to the second chamber.
Where can I track HB 418?
Track HB 418 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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