Kentucky 2026 Regular Session Status: Enacted 3 R cosponsors

HB 448 — AN ACT relating to background checks.

Last action — signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 42)

  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 January 21, 2026. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Andy Beshear (Democratic) on April 07, 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 76% · moderate confidence

  • Enacted

    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 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 a new section of KRS Chapter 17 to define terms and require criminal justice agencies to provide criminal history records information to requesting agencies when they are conducting a basic suitability or fitness assessment for federal or contractor employees under 5 U.S.C. sec. 9101; authorize the agency to request a fee of $25 for reimbursement of expenses related to the check from entities other than the Commonwealth; amend KRS 610.340, relating to juvenile justice records, to conform.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

126 added · 167 removed

126 line(s) added, 167 removed.

→
Previous
Latest
UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 448/GA AN ACT relating to background checks.
CHAPTER 42 1 CHAPTER 42 ( HB 448 ) AN ACT relating to background checks.
Page 1 of 6 HB044810.100 - 1187 - XXXX 2/13/2026 9:59 AM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 448/GA 8.
8.
or b.
or Legislative Research Commission PDF Version ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY b.
(2) A criminal justice agency shall provide criminal history records information to a requesting agency when that requesting agency is conducting a basic suitability Page 2 of 6 HB044810.100 - 1187 - XXXX 2/13/2026 9:59 AM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 448/GA or fitness assessment for federal or contractor employees under 5 U.S.C.
(2) A criminal justice agency shall provide criminal history records information to a requesting agency when that requesting agency is conducting a basic suitability or fitness assessment for federal or contractor employees under 5 U.S.C.
Any records resulting from the child's prior abuse and neglect under Title IV-E or Title IV- B of the Federal Social Security Act shall not be disclosed to victims or other persons authorized to attend a juvenile court hearing pursuant to KRS 610.070.
Any records resulting from the child's prior abuse and neglect under Title IV-E or Title IV-B of the Federal Social Security Act shall not be disclosed to victims or other persons authorized to attend a juvenile court hearing pursuant to KRS 610.070.
(2) The provisions of this section shall not apply to public officers or employees engaged in the investigation of and in the prosecution of cases under KRS Chapters Page 3 of 6 HB044810.100 - 1187 - XXXX 2/13/2026 9:59 AM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 448/GA 600 to 645 or other portions of the Kentucky Revised Statutes.
(2) The provisions of this section shall not apply to public officers or employees engaged in the investigation of and in the prosecution of cases under KRS Chapters 600 to 645 or other portions of the Kentucky Revised Statutes.
12001(a) of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, Page 4 of 6 HB044810.100 - 1187 - XXXX 2/13/2026 9:59 AM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 448/GA Pub.
12001(a) of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, Pub.
Any public offense record obtained pursuant to this subsection shall be used for official use only, not be disclosed publicly, and be exempt from disclosure under the Open Records Act, KRS 61.870 to 61.884.
Any public CHAPTER 42 3 offense record obtained pursuant to this subsection shall be used for official use only, not be disclosed publicly, and be exempt from disclosure under the Open Records Act, KRS 61.870 to 61.884.
9101 in accordance with Section 1 of this Act.
9101 in accordance with Section of this Act.
(11)[(10)] A[No] person, including school personnel, not authorized to obtain records Page 5 of 6 HB044810.100 - 1187 - XXXX 2/13/2026 9:59 AM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 448/GA pursuant to KRS Chapters 600 to 645 shall not obtain or attempt to obtain records which are made confidential pursuant to KRS Chapters 600 to 645 except upon proper motion to a court of competent jurisdiction.
(11)[(10)] A[No] person, including school personnel, not authorized to obtain records pursuant to KRS Chapters to 645 shall not obtain or attempt to obtain records which are made confidential pursuant to KRS Chapters to 645 except upon proper motion to a court of competent jurisdiction.
Page 6 of 6 HB044810.100 - 1187 - XXXX 2/13/2026 9:59 AM GA
Signed by Governor April 7, 2026.
Legislative Research Commission PDF Version
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View plain text versions (3)

How this bill changes current law

1 change Share ↗

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

The bill amends the confidentiality provisions for juvenile court records by explicitly allowing criminal justice agencies to access such records for background checks related to federal or contractor employees.

  • KRS 610.340

    The provisions of this section shall not apply to criminal justice agencies conducting a basic suitability or fitness assessment for federal or contractor employees under 5 U.S.C. sec. 9101. → The provisions of this section shall not apply to criminal justice agencies conducting a basic suitability or fitness assessment for federal or contractor employees under 5 U.S.C. sec. 9101 in accordance with Section 1 of this Act.

    This change clarifies that criminal justice agencies can access juvenile records for federal employment background checks.

Action History

  1. signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 42)

  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. passed over and retained in the Consent Orders of the Day

  8. posted for passage in the Consent Orders of the Day for Tuesday, March 24 2026

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

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

  11. to State & Local Government (S)

  12. to Committee on Committees (S)

  13. received in Senate

  14. 3rd reading, passed 81-8

  15. posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Thursday, February 12 2026

  16. 2nd reading, to Rules

  17. reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar

  18. to Local Government (H)

  19. to Committee on Committees (H)

  20. introduced in House

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

3 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 135 not signed on · 8 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

CONSENT PASSAGE OF HB 448

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 81 Yea · 8 Nay · 11 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 12503
Republican 68308
Unaffiliated 1000
Total 818011
% of votes cast 81%8%0%11%
How each member voted (100)
Member Party Vote
Lewis C — Yea
Adam Moore Democrat Yea
Adrielle Camuel Democrat Nay
Al Gentry Democrat Yea
Anne Gay Donworth Democrat Not Voting
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 Nay
Lisa Willner Democrat Not Voting
Mary Lou Marzian Democrat Nay
Matthew Lehman Democrat Yea
Nima Kulkarni Democrat Yea
Pamela Stevenson Democrat Nay
Rachel Roarx Democrat Not Voting
Sarah Stalker Democrat Nay
Tina Bojanowski Democrat Yea
Aaron Thompson Republican Yea
Adam Bowling Republican Yea
Amy Neighbors Republican Yea
Bill Wesley Republican Yea
Bobby McCool Republican Not Voting
Candy Massaroni Republican Nay
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 Nay
Ken Fleming Republican Yea
Ken Upchurch Republican Yea
Kevin Jackson Republican Yea
Kim Banta Republican Yea
Kim Holloway Republican Not Voting
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 Not Voting
Samara Heavrin Republican Yea
Savannah Maddox Republican Not Voting
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 Not Voting
Steven Doan Republican Nay
Steven Rudy Republican Yea
Susan Witten Republican Yea
Suzanne Miles Republican Yea
T.J. Roberts Republican Not Voting
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 Not Voting

Official roll call →

Subjects

public-safety 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 448 do?
Create a new section of KRS Chapter 17 to define terms and require criminal justice agencies to provide criminal history records information to requesting agencies when they are conducting a basic suitability or fitness assessment for federal or contractor employees under 5 U.S.C. sec. 9101; authorize the agency to request a fee of $25 for reimbursement of expenses related to the check from entities other than the Commonwealth; amend KRS 610.340, relating to juvenile justice records, to conform.
Who sponsors HB 448?
HB 448 is sponsored by Wade Williams (Republican), Vanessa Grossl (Republican), and Tony Hampton (Republican).
What is the current status of HB 448?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 21, 2026. Enacted.
Where can I track HB 448?
Track HB 448 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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