Kentucky 2024 Regular Session Status: Enacted 16 R cosponsors

SB 20 — AN ACT relating to crimes and punishments.

Last action — became law without Governor's Signature (Acts Ch. 160)

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed Senate
  4. ✓
    Passed House
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 02, 2024. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Andy Beshear (Democratic) on April 10, 2024.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 66% · 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.

  • 17 sponsors

    17 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (16 R).

  • Mixed recorded votes

    3 passed, 1 failed in 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

Amend KRS 439.3401 to include in the definition of "violent offender" a person who has been convicted of burglary in the first degree as described in KRS 511.020(1)(a), assault in the second degree as described in KRS 508.020(1)(b) or (c), and wanton endangerment in the first degree as described in KRS 508.060 involving the discharge of a firearm; remove the requirement that the victim of a Class B felony involving criminal attempt to commit murder shall be a clearly identifiable peace officer, firefighter, or emergency medical services provider acting in the line of duty; provide that a violent offender who is convicted of a Class C felony violation of wanton endangerment in the first degree and assault in the second degree as described in KRS 508.020(1)(b) or (c) shall not be released on probation, shock probation, parole, conditional discharge, or other form of early release until he or she has served at least 65 percent of the sentence imposed; amend KRS 508.060 to enhance wanton endangerment in the first degree if the person discharges a firearm in the commission of the offense; amend KRS 635.020 to provide that if a child is 15 years of age or older and is charged with a felony involving the use of a firearm then he or she shall be transferred to Circuit Court to be tried as an adult; provide that a child who has been convicted of a felony involving the use of a firearm shall not be eligible for probation or conditional discharge in a proceeding consistent with KRS 640.030.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

72 added · 99 removed

72 line(s) added, 99 removed.

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Previous
Latest
UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS SB 20/EN AN ACT relating to crimes and punishments.
CHAPTER 160 1 CHAPTER 160 ( SB 20 ) AN ACT relating to crimes and punishments.
(4) (a) If a child charged with a felony[ in which a firearm, whether functional or not, was used by the child in the commission of the offense] had attained the age of fourteen (14) years at the time of the commission of the alleged offense in which a firearm, whether functional or not, was used by the child in the commission of the offense, the court shall, upon motion of the county attorney made prior to adjudication, and after the county attorney has consulted with the Commonwealth's attorney, that the child be proceeded Page 1 of 4 SB002020.100 - 60 - XXXX 3/27/2024 8:39 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS SB 20/EN against as a youthful offender, proceed in accordance with KRS 640.010.
(4) (a) If a child charged with a felony[ in which a firearm, whether functional or not, was used by the child in the commission of the offense] had attained the age of fourteen (14) years at the time of the commission of the alleged offense in which a firearm, whether functional or not, was used by the child in the commission of the offense, the court shall, upon motion of the county attorney made prior to adjudication, and after the county attorney has consulted with the Commonwealth's attorney, that the child be proceeded against as a youthful offender, proceed in accordance with KRS 640.010.
If convicted in the Circuit Court, he or she shall be subject to the same Page 2 of 4 SB002020.100 - 60 - XXXX 3/27/2024 8:39 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS SB 20/EN penalties as an adult offender, except that until he or she reaches the age of eighteen (18) years, he or she shall be confined in a facility for juveniles or for youthful offenders, unless the provisions of KRS 635.025 apply or unless he or she is released pursuant to expiration of sentence or parole, and at age eighteen (18) he or she shall be returned to the sentencing Circuit Court for proceedings consistent with KRS 640.030(2).
If convicted in the Circuit Court, he or she shall be subject to the same penalties as an adult offender, except that until he or she reaches the age of eighteen (18) years, he or she shall be confined in a facility for juveniles or for youthful offenders, unless the provisions of KRS 635.025 apply or unless he or she is released pursuant to expiration of sentence or parole, and at age eighteen (18) he or she shall be returned to the sentencing Circuit Court for proceedings consistent with KRS 640.030(2).
5.
Legislative Research Commission PDF Version ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY 5.
(7) If a person who is eighteen (18) or older and before the court is charged with a felony that occurred prior to his or her eighteenth birthday, the court shall, upon motion of the county attorney made prior to adjudication, and after the county Page 3 of 4 SB002020.100 - 60 - XXXX 3/27/2024 8:39 PM Engrossed UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS SB 20/EN attorney has consulted with the Commonwealth's attorney, that the child be proceeded against as a youthful offender, proceed in accordance with the provisions of KRS 640.010.
(7) If a person who is eighteen (18) or older and before the court is charged with a felony that occurred prior to his or her eighteenth birthday, the court shall, upon motion of the county attorney made prior to adjudication, and after the county attorney has consulted with the Commonwealth's attorney, that the child be proceeded against as a youthful offender, proceed in accordance with the provisions of KRS 640.010.
Page 4 of 4 SB002020.100 - 60 - XXXX 3/27/2024 8:39 PM Engrossed
Became law without Governor's signature April 10, 2024.
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View plain text versions (3)

How this bill changes current law

3 changes Share ↗

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

The bill expands the criteria for how children charged with felonies are treated in the court system, particularly regarding the treatment of those who turn eighteen and the inclusion of all offenses from the same conduct in proceedings.

  • KRS 635.020(4)(a)

    charged with a felony in which a firearm, whether functional or not, was used by the child in the commission of the offense → charged with a felony had attained the age of fourteen (14) years at the time of the commission of the alleged offense in which a firearm, whether functional or not, was used by the child in the commission of the offense

    This change clarifies the circumstances under which the youthful offender provisions apply, specifying that age is considered at the time of the offense.

  • KRS 635.020(7)

    If a person who is eighteen (18) or older and before the court is charged with a felony that occurred prior to his or her eighteenth birthday, the court shall, upon motion of the county attorney made prior to adjudication, and after the county attorney has consulted with the Commonwealth's attorney, that the child be proceeded against as a youthful offender, proceed in accordance with the provisions of KRS 640.010.

    This addition allows courts to treat individuals who are charged with felonies committed when they were under eighteen as youthful offenders, even after turning eighteen.

  • KRS 635.020(8)

    All offenses arising out of the same course of conduct shall be tried with the felony arising from that course of conduct, whether the charges are adjudicated under this chapter or under KRS Chapter 640 and transferred to Circuit Court.

    This provision mandates that all related offenses be tried together, ensuring comprehensive legal treatment for all charges connected to a single incident.

Action History

  1. became law without Governor's Signature (Acts Ch. 160)

  2. filed without Governor's signature with the Secretary of State

  3. delivered to Governor

  4. enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House

  5. enrolled, signed by President of the Senate

  6. passed 24-10 with Committee Substitute (1)

  7. Senate concurred in House Committee Substitute (1)

  8. posted for passage for concurrence in House Committee Substitute (1)

  9. to Rules (S)

  10. received in Senate

  11. passed 68-19 with Committee Substitute (1)

  12. Floor Amendment (1) defeated

  13. 3rd reading

  14. posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Monday, March 25, 2024

  15. 2nd reading, to Rules

  16. floor amendment (1) filed to Committee Substitute

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

  18. to Judiciary (H)

  19. to Committee on Committees (H)

  20. received in House

  21. passed 25-9-1 with Committee Substitute (1) and Floor Amendment (6)

  22. floor amendment withdrawn Floor Amendments (4) and (5)

  23. floor amendment withdrawn Floor Amendments (1), (2) and (3)

  24. 3rd reading

  25. posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Wednesday, February 14, 2024

  26. floor amendment (6) filed to Committee Substitute

  27. 2nd reading, to Rules

  28. Floor Amendments (1), (2), (3), (4) and (5) filed to Committee Substitute

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

  30. to Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection (S)

  31. to Committee on Committees (S)

  32. introduced in Senate

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

17 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 121 not signed on · 71 voted No

Sponsors (17)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (121)

121 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 121 →

"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

FINAL PASS SB 20 W/ hcs1

Passed 24 Yea · 10 Nay · 4 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 21304
Unaffiliated 3400
Democrat 0300
Total 241004
% of votes cast 63%26%0%11%
How each member voted (38)
Member Party Vote
Schickel — Yea
Turner — Yea
Thayer — Yea
Westerfield — Nay
Yates — Nay
Southworth — Nay
Harper Angel — Nay
Cassie Chambers Armstrong Democrat Nay
Gerald A. Neal Democrat Nay
Karen Berg Democrat Nay
Amanda Mays Bledsoe Republican Not Voting
Brandon J. Storm Republican Yea
Christian McDaniel Republican Not Voting
Danny Carroll Republican Nay
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 Not Voting
Julie Raque Adams Republican Not Voting
Lindsey Tichenor 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 Nay
Shelley Funke Frommeyer Republican Yea
Stephen West Republican Yea
Tom Smith Republican Yea
Wade Williams Republican Yea
Walker Thomas Republican Nay

Official roll call →

Adopt

Failed 20 Yea · 51 Nay · 31 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 14001
Unaffiliated 5405
Republican 147025
Total 2051031
% of votes cast 20%50%0%30%
How each member voted (102)
Member Party Vote
Graham — Yea
Palumbo — Yea
Raymond — Yea
Gilbert — Yea
Justice — Nay
Dixon — Nay
Heath — Nay
Bentley — Not Voting
Pratt — Not Voting
Timoney — Not Voting
Commonwealth of Kentucky — Not Voting
House of Representatives — Not Voting
Bratcher K. — Nay
Stevenson C — Yea
Adrielle Camuel Democrat Yea
Al Gentry Democrat Yea
Ashley Tackett Laferty Democrat Not Voting
Beverly Chester-Burton Democrat Yea
Chad Aull Democrat Yea
Daniel Grossberg Democrat Yea
George Brown Jr. Democrat Yea
Keturah J. Herron Democrat Yea
Lindsey Burke Democrat Yea
Lisa Willner Democrat Yea
Nima Kulkarni Democrat Yea
Pamela Stevenson Democrat Yea
Rachel Roarx Democrat Yea
Sarah Stalker Democrat Yea
Tina Bojanowski Democrat Yea
Adam Bowling Republican Not Voting
Amy Neighbors Republican Nay
Bill Wesley Republican Nay
Bobby McCool Republican Not Voting
Candy Massaroni Republican Not Voting
Chris Freeland Republican Not Voting
Chris Fugate Republican Nay
DJ Johnson Republican Not Voting
Daniel Elliott Republican Not Voting
Daniel Fister Republican Nay
David Hale Republican Nay
David Meade Republican Nay
David W. Osborne Republican Nay
Deanna Gordon Republican Nay
Derek Lewis Republican Nay
Emily Callaway Republican Nay
Felicia Rabourn Republican Nay
James Tipton Republican Nay
Jared Bauman Republican Nay
Jason Nemes Republican Nay
Jason Petrie Republican Nay
Jennifer Decker Republican Nay
Jim Gooch Jr. Republican Nay
John Blanton Republican Not Voting
John Hodgson Republican Nay
Josh Branscum Republican Nay
Josh Bray Republican Nay
Josh Calloway Republican Not Voting
Ken Fleming Republican Not Voting
Ken Upchurch Republican Nay
Kevin Jackson Republican Not Voting
Kim Banta Republican Not Voting
Kim King Republican Nay
Kimberly Poore Moser Republican Not Voting
Marianne Proctor Republican Not Voting
Mark Hart Republican Nay
Mary Beth Imes Republican Nay
Matt Lockett Republican Nay
Matthew Koch Republican Nay
Michael Meredith Republican Nay
Michael Sarge Pollock Republican Nay
Mike Clines Republican Not Voting
Myron Dossett Republican Nay
Nancy Tate Republican Nay
Nick Wilson Republican Nay
Patrick Flannery Republican Nay
Peyton Griffee Republican Nay
Randy Bridges Republican Nay
Rebecca Raymer Republican Nay
Richard White Republican Nay
Robert Duvall Republican Nay
Ryan Dotson Republican Nay
Samara Heavrin Republican Not Voting
Savannah Maddox Republican Not Voting
Scott Lewis Republican Not Voting
Scott Sharp Republican Not Voting
Shane Baker Republican Not Voting
Shawn McPherson Republican Nay
Stephanie Dietz Republican Not Voting
Steve Bratcher Republican Not Voting
Steve Rawlings Republican Not Voting
Steve Riley Republican Nay
Steven Doan Republican Not Voting
Steven Rudy Republican Nay
Susan Witten Republican Nay
Suzanne Miles Republican Nay
T.J. Roberts Republican Yea
Thomas Huff Republican Nay
Timmy Truett Republican Not Voting
Tom Smith Republican Nay
Wade Williams Republican Nay
Walker Thomas Republican Not Voting
William Lawrence Republican Nay

Official roll call →

Pass

Passed 68 Yea · 19 Nay · 14 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 621010
Unaffiliated 6403
Democrat 01401
Total 6819014
% of votes cast 67%19%0%14%
How each member voted (101)
Member Party Vote
Dixon — Yea
Bentley — Yea
Heath — Yea
Timoney — Yea
Justice — Yea
Raymond — Nay
Graham — Nay
Palumbo — Nay
Gilbert — Not Voting
Pratt — Not Voting
COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY SENATE — Not Voting
Bratcher K. — Yea
Stevenson C — Nay
Adrielle Camuel Democrat Nay
Al Gentry Democrat Nay
Ashley Tackett Laferty Democrat Not Voting
Beverly Chester-Burton Democrat Nay
Chad Aull Democrat Nay
Daniel Grossberg Democrat Nay
George Brown Jr. Democrat Nay
Keturah J. Herron Democrat Nay
Lindsey Burke Democrat Nay
Lisa Willner Democrat Nay
Nima Kulkarni Democrat Nay
Pamela Stevenson Democrat Nay
Rachel Roarx Democrat Nay
Sarah Stalker Democrat Nay
Tina Bojanowski Democrat Nay
Adam Bowling Republican Yea
Amy Neighbors Republican Yea
Bill Wesley Republican Yea
Bobby McCool Republican Not Voting
Candy Massaroni Republican Not Voting
Chris Freeland Republican Yea
Chris Fugate Republican Yea
DJ Johnson Republican Yea
Daniel Elliott Republican Not Voting
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
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 Yea
Ken Fleming Republican Yea
Ken Upchurch Republican Yea
Kevin Jackson Republican Yea
Kim Banta Republican Not Voting
Kim King Republican Yea
Kimberly Poore Moser Republican Yea
Marianne Proctor Republican Not Voting
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
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 Dotson Republican Yea
Samara Heavrin Republican Not Voting
Savannah Maddox Republican Not Voting
Scott Lewis Republican Not Voting
Scott Sharp Republican Yea
Shane Baker Republican Yea
Shawn McPherson Republican Yea
Stephanie Dietz Republican Yea
Steve Bratcher Republican Yea
Steve Rawlings Republican Not Voting
Steve Riley Republican Yea
Steven Doan Republican Yea
Steven Rudy Republican Yea
Susan Witten Republican Yea
Suzanne Miles Republican Yea
T.J. Roberts Republican Nay
Thomas Huff Republican Yea
Timmy Truett Republican Yea
Tom Smith Republican Yea
Wade Williams Republican Yea
Walker Thomas Republican Yea
William Lawrence Republican Yea

Official roll call →

PASS SB 20 W/ scs1 sfa6

Passed 25 Yea · 9 Nay · 5 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 22303
Unaffiliated 3302
Democrat 0300
Total 25905
% of votes cast 64%23%0%13%
How each member voted (39)
Member Party Vote
Turner — Yea
Schickel — Yea
Thayer — Yea
Westerfield — Nay
Yates — Nay
Southworth — Not Voting
Southworth — Not Voting
Harper Angel — Nay
Cassie Chambers Armstrong Democrat Nay
Gerald A. Neal Democrat Nay
Karen Berg Democrat Nay
Amanda Mays Bledsoe Republican Not Voting
Brandon J. Storm Republican Not Voting
Christian McDaniel Republican Yea
Danny Carroll Republican Nay
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 Not Voting
Lindsey Tichenor 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 Nay
Shelley Funke Frommeyer Republican Yea
Stephen West Republican Yea
Tom Smith Republican Yea
Wade Williams Republican Yea
Walker Thomas Republican Nay

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 SB 20 do?
Amend KRS 439.3401 to include in the definition of "violent offender" a person who has been convicted of burglary in the first degree as described in KRS 511.020(1)(a), assault in the second degree as described in KRS 508.020(1)(b) or (c), and wanton endangerment in the first degree as described in KRS 508.060 involving the discharge of a firearm; remove the requirement that the victim of a Class B felony involving criminal attempt to commit murder shall be a clearly identifiable peace officer, firefighter, or emergency medical services provider acting in the line of duty; provide that a violent offender who is convicted of a Class C felony violation of wanton endangerment in the first degree and assault in the second degree as described in KRS 508.020(1)(b) or (c) shall not be released on probation, shock probation, parole, conditional discharge, or other form of early release until he or she has served at least 65 percent of the sentence imposed; amend KRS 508.060 to enhance wanton endangerment in the first degree if the person discharges a firearm in the commission of the offense; amend KRS 635.020 to provide that if a child is 15 years of age or older and is charged with a felony involving the use of a firearm then he or she shall be transferred to Circuit Court to be tried as an adult; provide that a child who has been convicted of a felony involving the use of a firearm shall not be eligible for probation or conditional discharge in a proceeding consistent with KRS 640.030.
Who sponsors SB 20?
SB 20 is sponsored by Matthew Deneen (Republican), Gary Boswell (Republican), Donald Douglas (Republican), Greg Elkins (Republican), Shelley Funke Frommeyer (Republican), Rick Girdler (Republican), Amanda Mays Bledsoe (Republican), Christian McDaniel (Republican), Stephen Meredith (Republican), Robby Mills (Republican), Michael J. Nemes (Republican), D. Thayer, Lindsey Tichenor (Republican), Stephen West (Republican), Phillip Wheeler (Republican), Gex Williams (Republican), and Max Wise (Republican).
What is the current status of SB 20?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 02, 2024. Enacted.
Where can I track SB 20?
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