Kentucky 2024 Regular Session Status: In Committee Bipartisan · 1 R · 1 D cosponsors

SB 144 — AN ACT relating to the abolition of the death penalty.

Last action — to Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection (S)

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

This bill died with 2024 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Summary

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 532 to abolish the death penalty and replace it with life imprisonment without parole for inmates presently sentenced to death; amend KRS 532.030 to remove the death penalty; amend KRS 640.040 to prohibit life imprisonment without benefit of parole for a juvenile offender convicted of a capital offense; amend KRS 640.010 to define "serious intellectual disability" and "significant subaverage general intellectual functioning"; amend KRS 422.285, 532.050, 532.100, and 533.010 to conform; repeal KRS 431.213, 431.2135, 431.218, 431.220, 431.223, 431.224, 431.240, 431.250, 431.260, 431.270, 507A.060, 532.025, 532.075, 532.130, 532.135, 532.140, 532.300, 532.305, and 532.309.

Bill Text

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 abolishes the death penalty, thus changing the treatment of individuals previously sentenced to death and affecting the conditions under which DNA testing can be requested.

  • KRS 422.285

    the offense after a trial or after entering an Alford plea; → the offense after a trial or after entering an Alford plea;

  • KRS 422.285

    a petitioner sentenced to death → a petitioner sentenced to death prior to the effective date of this Act

  • KRS 422.285

    a petitioner sentenced to death → a petitioner sentenced to death prior to the effective date of this Act

  • KRS 422.285

    If the results of the DNA testing and analysis are not favorable to the petitioner, the court shall dismiss the petition. → If the results of the DNA testing and analysis are not favorable to the petitioner, the court shall dismiss the petition.

Action History

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

  2. to Committee on Committees (S)

  3. introduced in Senate

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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4 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 134 not signed on

Sponsors (4)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (134)

134 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"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.

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Subjects

public-safety civil-rights
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Frequently asked questions

What does SB 144 do?
Create a new section of KRS Chapter 532 to abolish the death penalty and replace it with life imprisonment without parole for inmates presently sentenced to death; amend KRS 532.030 to remove the death penalty; amend KRS 640.040 to prohibit life imprisonment without benefit of parole for a juvenile offender convicted of a capital offense; amend KRS 640.010 to define "serious intellectual disability" and "significant subaverage general intellectual functioning"; amend KRS 422.285, 532.050, 532.100, and 533.010 to conform; repeal KRS 431.213, 431.2135, 431.218, 431.220, 431.223, 431.224, 431.240, 431.250, 431.260, 431.270, 507A.060, 532.025, 532.075, 532.130, 532.135, 532.140, 532.300, 532.305, and 532.309.
Who sponsors SB 144?
SB 144 is sponsored by Stephen Meredith (Republican), Karen Berg (Democrat), W. Westerfield, and Harper Angel.
What is the current status of SB 144?
This bill died with 2024 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track SB 144?
Track SB 144 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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Last checked for changes 2 months ago · updated continuously

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