HB 727 — AN ACT relating to education and declaring an emergency.

A particular political affiliation shall not be a prerequisite to appointment Page 27 of 79 HB072720.100 - 2254 - XXXX 4/15/2026 5:00 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 727/EN to the board generally;

Pursuant to KRS 63.080, a member shall not be removed except for cause or, beginning with voting members appointed on or after June CHAPTER 196 13 29, 2021, in accordance with KRS 63.080(3).

Page 28 of 79 HB072720.100 - 2254 - XXXX 4/15/2026 5:00 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 727/EN (8) The commissioner of education shall serve as the executive secretary to the board.

Every public middle and high school's curriculum shall include instruction on the Holocaust and other cases of genocide, as defined by Page 29 of 79 HB072720.100 - 2254 - XXXX 4/15/2026 5:00 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 727/EN the United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, that a court of competent jurisdiction, whether a court in the United States or the International Court of Justice, has determined to have been committed by applying rigorous standards of due process;

Legislative Research Commission PDF Version ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY (d) The minimum requirements for high school graduation in light of the expected outcomes for students and schools set forth in KRS 158.6451.

(e) The requirements for an alternative high school diploma for students with disabilities whose individualized education program indicates that, in Page 30 of 79 HB072720.100 - 2254 - XXXX 4/15/2026 5:00 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 727/EN accordance with 20 U.S.C.

The administrative regulations shall permit a student who received a physical examination no more than six (6) months prior to his or her initial admission to Head Start to substitute that physical examination for the physical examination required by the Kentucky Board of Education of all Page 31 of 79 HB072720.100 - 2254 - XXXX 4/15/2026 5:00 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 727/EN students upon initial admission to the public schools, if the physical examination given in the Head Start program meets all the requirements of the physical examinations prescribed by the Kentucky Board of Education;

(m) The preparation of budgets and salary schedules for the several school Page 32 of 79 HB072720.100 - 2254 - XXXX 4/15/2026 5:00 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 727/EN districts under the management and control of the Kentucky Board of Education;

CHAPTER 196 15 (n) A uniform series of forms and blanks, educational and financial, including forms of contracts, for use in the several school districts;

Exempting the student from all coursework and other requirements imposed by the local board of education that are in addition to the minimum requirements for high school graduation established by the Kentucky Board of Education pursuant to paragraph (d) of this subsection in the district to which the student transfers, if the student Page 33 of 79 HB072720.100 - 2254 - XXXX 4/15/2026 5:00 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 727/EN transfers schools at any time after the completion of the student's second year of high school and the student is ineligible to graduate both from the district to which the student transfers and the district from which the student transferred.

(a) Improve learning and teaching and the ability to meet individual students' Page 34 of 79 HB072720.100 - 2254 - XXXX 4/15/2026 5:00 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 727/EN needs to increase student achievement;

Legislative Research Commission PDF Version ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY (2) The five (5) year plan shall cover all aspects of education technology, including but not limited to[,] its use in educational instruction and administration, video and computer systems, software and hardware, multiple delivery systems for satellite, microwave, cable, instructional television fixed service, fiber optic, and computer connections products, the preparation of school buildings for technological readiness, and the development of staff necessary to implement the plan.

Page 35 of 79 HB072720.100 - 2254 - XXXX 4/15/2026 5:00 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 727/EN (7) [The council shall update as necessary the plan developed under subsection (2) of this section and report to the Legislative Research Commission at the completion of each implementation phase of the master plan.

(5) "District technology plan" means the plan developed by the local district and the Department of Education and approved by the Kentucky Board of Education upon the recommendation of the Kentucky Department of Education[Council for Page 36 of 79 HB072720.100 - 2254 - XXXX 4/15/2026 5:00 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 727/EN Education Technology];

CHAPTER 196 17 (11) "Project" means a defined item of need to construct new facilities or to provide major renovation of existing facilities which is identified on the priority schedule of the approved school facilities plan;

(13) "Technology master plan" means the long-range plan for the implementation of the Kentucky Education Technology System as developed by the Kentucky Page 37 of 79 HB072720.100 - 2254 - XXXX 4/15/2026 5:00 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 727/EN Department of Education[Council for Education Technology] and approved by the Kentucky Board of Education and the Legislative Research Commission;

(3) ]If a local board of education determines that for any reason the district's approved Page 38 of 79 HB072720.100 - 2254 - XXXX 4/15/2026 5:00 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 727/EN technology plan is grossly inconsistent with the administrative regulations governing the development of the plan, the local board may certify, by official action, the reason for the inconsistency and may request that the Department of Education reevaluate the technology plan of the district.

PageLegislative 39Research ofCommission 79PDF HB072720.100Version -ACTS 2254OF -THE XXXXGENERAL 4/15/2026ASSEMBLY 5:00 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 727/EN (4) The commissioner of education shall have the authority to enter into agreements or contracts with other government or education agencies, including local school districts, in order to carry out services under the office's jurisdiction.

Page 40 of 79 HB072720.100 - 2254 - XXXX 4/15/2026 5:00 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 727/EN 2344 to be conducted in accordance with the required and permissible uses of funds specified in the Carl D.

Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 and subsequent amendments thereto.

Page 41 of 79 HB072720.100 - 2254 - XXXX 4/15/2026 5:00 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 727/EN (a) Relating to health and safety, including required criminal background checks for staff and volunteers specified in KRS 160.380 and 161.148;

CHAPTER 196 19 (f) Requiring students' participation in state assessment of student performance as required under KRS 158.6453;

(c) Explain how the waiver for the schools or programs of each specific statute or Page 42 of 79 HB072720.100 - 2254 - XXXX 4/15/2026 5:00 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 727/EN administrative regulation will improve operations or student academic achievement;

A local board Page 43 of 79 HB072720.100 - 2254 - XXXX 4/15/2026 5:00 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 727/EN may request assistance from the Kentucky Department of Education in the development of the local board's waiver request or an amendment.

Legislative Research Commission PDF Version ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY (9) If the state board at any time finds by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote that a specific waiver previously granted has hindered school or program operations, endangered students, impeded student academic achievement, or supported financial malfeasance or criminal activity, then the waiver shall be rescinded.

Page 44 of 79 HB072720.100 - 2254 - XXXX 4/15/2026 5:00 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 727/EN (10) The state board shall promulgate administrative regulations in accordance with KRS Chapter 13A to adopt a standardized waiver request form and establish any procedures for processing waiver requests in compliance with this section.

Page 45 of 79 HB072720.100 - 2254 - XXXX 4/15/2026 5:00 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 727/EN (b) The number and types of exceptional children in the district as defined by KRS 157.200.

CHAPTER 196 21 (b) Except for those schools which have implemented school-based decision Page 46 of 79 HB072720.100 - 2254 - XXXX 4/15/2026 5:00 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 727/EN making, class size loads for middle and secondary school:

A superintendent or school-based decision making council may request an exemption pursuant to paragraph (c) of this subsection.[ A local school council may request a waiver relating to maximum class size pursuant to KRS 156.161 in the same manner as a local board of education.] An exemption[ or waiver] shall not be granted if the increased class size will impede any exceptional child from achieving his or her Page 47 of 79 HB072720.100 - 2254 - XXXX 4/15/2026 5:00 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 727/EN individual education program in the least restrictive environment.

The program funds allotted the district shall be increased by the Page 48 of 79 HB072720.100 - 2254 - XXXX 4/15/2026 5:00 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 727/EN percent of increase.

Legislative Research Commission PDF Version ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY (11) If the percentage of attendance of any school district shall have been reduced more than two percent (2%) during the previous school year, the program funding allotted the district for the current school year shall be increased by the difference in the percentage of attendance for the two (2) years immediately prior to the current school year less two percent (2%).

During extended employment, no vocational agriculture teacher shall receive salary on a day that the teacher is scheduled to attend an institution of higher education class Page 49 of 79 HB072720.100 - 2254 - XXXX 4/15/2026 5:00 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 727/EN which could be credited toward meeting any certification requirement.

A reimbursement formula shall be established by administrative regulations to include such factors as a reasonable per hour, per child allotment for teacher instructional time, with a maximum number of funded hours per week, a reasonable allotment for teaching supplies and equipment, Page 50 of 79 HB072720.100 - 2254 - XXXX 4/15/2026 5:00 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 727/EN and a reasonable allotment for travel expenses to and from instructional assignments, but the formula shall not include an allotment for capital outlay.

(14) Except for those schools which have implemented school-based decision making and the school council has voted to waive this subsection and for virtual programs, kindergarten aides shall be provided for each twenty-fourtwenty- four (24) full-time equivalent kindergarten students enrolled.

The calculation under this subsection shall Page 51 of 79 HB072720.100 - 2254 - XXXX 4/15/2026 5:00 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 727/EN be subject to available funds.

CHAPTER 196 23 (18) Notwithstanding any other statute or budget of the Commonwealth language to the contrary, time missed due to shortening days for emergencies may be made up by lengthening school days in the school calendar without any loss of funds under the program to support education excellence in Kentucky.

and Page 52 of 79 HB072720.100 - 2254 - XXXX 4/15/2026 5:00 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 727/EN (g) Does not have a relative employed by the school district, in the case of a person elected after July 13, 1990.

Page 53 of 79 HB072720.100 - 2254 - XXXX 4/15/2026 5:00 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 727/EN 1.[(a)] Twelve (12) hours for members with zero to three (3) years of experience;

2.[(b)]2.[(b)]Eight Eight (8) hours for members with four (4) to seven (7) years of experience;

and Legislative Research Commission PDF Version ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY 3.[(c)] Four (4) hours for members with eight (8) or more years of experience.

(a)[1.](a)[1.]Twelve Twelve (12) hours for members with zero to eight (8) years of experience each year, which shall include a minimum of:

1.[a.]One1.[a.] One (1) hour of ethics training each year;[ and] 2.[b.]One2.[b.] One (1) hour of open meetings and open records training within the first twelve (12) months of initial service and at least once every four (4) years thereafter;[ and ] 3.

and Page(b)[2.]Eight 54 of 79 HB072720.100 - 2254 - XXXX 4/15/2026 5:00 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 727/EN (b)[2.] Eight (8) hours for members with more than eight (8) years of experience each year, which shall include a minimum of:

1.[a.]One1.[a.] One (1) hour of ethics training each year;[ and] 2.[b.]One2.[b.] One (1) hour of open meetings and open records training at least once every four (4) years;

Each board of education shall elect a Page 55 of 79 HB072720.100 - 2254 - XXXX 4/15/2026 5:00 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 727/EN chair[chairman] and vice chair[chairman] from its membership in a manner and for a term prescribed by the board not to exceed two (2) years.

and CHAPTER 196 25 (b) Establishing the cost of financing in advance of the sale of any bonds, certificates of participation in any leases, or other evidences of financial commitments issued by or on behalf of such board.

(4) Without the approval of the Department of Education, no board may lease, as lessee, a building or public facility that has been or is to be financed at the request of the board or on its behalf through the issuance of bonds by another public body Page 56 of 79 HB072720.100 - 2254 - XXXX 4/15/2026 5:00 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 727/EN or by a nonprofit corporation serving as an agency and instrumentality of the board, or by a leasing corporation.

Page 57 of 79 HB072720.100 - 2254 - XXXX 4/15/2026 5:00 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 727/EN (8) Notwithstanding any requirements of public advertising, competitive bidding, or approval by the Department of Education, or any administrative regulation promulgated pursuant to KRS 156.160(1)(o), a local board may authorize the transfer or sale of the district's real or personal property to another governmental or quasi-governmentalquasi- governmental agency in exchange for money or a similar type of property that equals or exceeds the fair market value of the district property as determined by an independent appraisal conducted by:

Legislative Research Commission PDF Version ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY (3) The Kentucky Board of Education shall promulgate administrative regulations for full-time and part-time certified and equivalent staff governing:

Page 58 of 79 HB072720.100 - 2254 - XXXX 4/15/2026 5:00 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 727/EN (a) Establishment and abolishment of positions, including a prohibition against eliminating funding for or abolishment of a teaching position at a state-state-operated operated secondary area vocational education and technology center during a school year in which students are enrolled in the program;

Page 59 of 79 HB072720.100 - 2254 - XXXX 4/15/2026 5:00 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 727/EN (r) Transfer;

(6) The Kentucky Board of Education shall promulgate other administrative regulations to govern proceedings which relate to certified and equivalent employees and which Page 60 of 79 HB072720.100 - 2254 - XXXX 4/15/2026 5:00 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 727/EN shall provide for:

CHAPTER 196 27 (a) The procedures to be utilized by the Kentucky Technical Education Personnel Board in the conduct of hearings, consistent with KRS Chapter 13B;

and (h) Any other administrative regulations not inconsistent with this chapter and Page 61 of 79 HB072720.100 - 2254 - XXXX 4/15/2026 5:00 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 727/EN KRS Chapter 13A proper and necessary for its enforcement.

provided, however, that the full board as Page 62 of 79 HB072720.100 - 2254 - XXXX 4/15/2026 5:00 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 727/EN provided by statute, makes the final order, based upon the evidence submitted.

Employees who are transferred, effective July 1, 1998, to the Kentucky Community and Technical College System under KRS Chapter 164 shall have the Legislative Research Commission PDF Version ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY same benefits and rights as they had under KRS Chapter 18A and have under KRS 164.5805;

Page 63 of 79 HB072720.100 - 2254 - XXXX 4/15/2026 5:00 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 727/EN (a) It is determined that the total assessed valuation of real property or personal property as defined in KRS 132.010 for the school district is amended;

(b) "Alternative education program" means a program that exists to meet the needs of students that cannot be addressed in a traditional classroom setting but through the assignment of students to alternative classrooms, centers, or campuses that are designed to remediate academic performance, improve Page 64 of 79 HB072720.100 - 2254 - XXXX 4/15/2026 5:00 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 727/EN behavior, or provide an enhanced learning experience.

All employees of the local district shall have the qualifications prescribed by law and by the CHAPTER 196 29 administrative regulations of the Kentucky Board of Education and of the employing board.

No superintendent of schools shall appoint or transfer himself or herself to Page 65 of 79 HB072720.100 - 2254 - XXXX 4/15/2026 5:00 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 727/EN another position within the school district;

A superintendent's spouse who is employed under this provision shall not hold Page 66 of 79 HB072720.100 - 2254 - XXXX 4/15/2026 5:00 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 727/EN a position in which the spouse supervises certified or classified employees.

or (d) Has an administrative finding of child abuse or neglect in records maintained Page 67 of 79 HB072720.100 - 2254 - XXXX 4/15/2026 5:00 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 727/EN by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services.

Legislative Research Commission PDF Version ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY (a) A superintendent shall require the following individuals to submit to a national and state criminal background check by the Department of Kentucky State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation and have a clear CA/N check, provided by the individual:

Student teachers who have submitted to and provide a copy of a national and state criminal background check by the Department of Kentucky State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation through an accredited teacher education institution in which the Page 68 of 79 HB072720.100 - 2254 - XXXX 4/15/2026 5:00 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 727/EN student teacher is enrolled and who have a clear CA/N check.

Page 69 of 79 HB072720.100 - 2254 - XXXX 4/15/2026 5:00 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 727/EN 40;

(7) (a) If a certified or classified position remains unfilled after July 31 or if a vacancy occurs during a school term, a superintendent may employ an individual, who will have supervisory or disciplinary authority over minors, on probationary status pending receipt of the criminal history background check and a CHAPTER 196 31 clear CA/N check, provided by the individual.

(c) Notwithstanding KRS 161.720 to 161.800 or any other statute to the contrary, probationary employment under this section shall terminate on receipt by the Page 70 of 79 HB072720.100 - 2254 - XXXX 4/15/2026 5:00 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 727/EN school district of a criminal history background check documenting a record of a sex crime or as a violent offender as defined in KRS 17.165 and no further procedures shall be required.

"FOR THIS TYPE OF EMPLOYMENT, STATE LAW REQUIRES A NATIONAL AND STATE CRIMINAL HISTORY BACKGROUND CHECK AND A LETTER, PROVIDED BY THE INDIVIDUAL, FROM THE CABINET FOR HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES STATING THE APPLICANT HAS NO ADMINISTRATIVE FINDINGS OF CHILD ABUSE OR NEGLECT FOUND THROUGH A BACKGROUND CHECK OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT RECORDS MAINTAINED BY THE CABINET FOR HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES." Page 71 of 79 HB072720.100 - 2254 - XXXX 4/15/2026 5:00 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 727/EN (c) Each application form for a district position shall require the applicant to:

Legislative Research Commission PDF Version ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY (1) [Beginning with the 2019-2020 school year, ]Each school district shall implement Page 72 of 79 HB072720.100 - 2254 - XXXX 4/15/2026 5:00 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 727/EN essential workplace ethics programs that promote characteristics that are critical to success in the workplace.

(e) Reliability, including showing up on time, wearing appropriate attire, self-self-control, control, motivation, and ethical behavior;

(b) Each school district's local workforce investment board, in conjunction with local economic development organizations from its state regional sector, and other economic, workforce, or industry organizations the workforce Page 73 of 79 HB072720.100 - 2254 - XXXX 4/15/2026 5:00 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 727/EN investment board deems necessary, shall recommend to the school district best practices which may be used by schools to implement an essential workplace ethics program.

(1) A permanent subcommittee of the Legislative Research Commission to be known as the Education Assessment and Accountability Review Subcommittee is hereby Page 74 of 79 HB072720.100 - 2254 - XXXX 4/15/2026 5:00 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 727/EN created.

Any vacancy that may occur in the CHAPTER 196 33 membership of the subcommittee shall be filled by the same appointing authority who made the original appointment.

Page 75 of 79 HB072720.100 - 2254 - XXXX 4/15/2026 5:00 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 727/EN (5)[(4)] On an alternating basis, each co-chair shall have the first option to set the monthly meeting date.

Any vacancy that may occur in the membership of the subcommittee shall be filled within thirty (30) days of the occurrence, in the same manner as the original appointment, and for the balance of Page 76 of 79 HB072720.100 - 2254 - XXXX 4/15/2026 5:00 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 727/EN the vacated member's term.

Legislative Research Commission PDF Version ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY 158.865 Legislative findings -- Development of summer learning program encouraged --- - Purposes of program.

158.867 Minimum requirements for summer learning camps at schools with certain Title I programs -- Mandatory reports -- Student participation guidelines -- Teacher Page 77 of 79 HB072720.100 - 2254 - XXXX 4/15/2026 5:00 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 727/EN compensation -- Summary annual reports.

Page 78 of 79 HB072720.100 - 2254 - XXXX 4/15/2026 5:00 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 727/EN (9) Professional staff data report;

The nonvoting student and teacher members of the Kentucky Board of Education selected prior to the effective date of this Act shall remain unaffected and serve the remainder of their terms until June 30, CHAPTER 196 35 2027.

PageSigned 79by ofGovernor 79April HB072720.10023, -2026. 2254 - XXXX 4/15/2026 5:00 PM Engrossed

Legislative Research Commission PDF Version