More than 200 new Kentucky laws passed during the 2026 General Assembly will take effect July 15, bringing changes to education, criminal justice, public safety and gun laws.
Lawmakers passed 201 bills during the legislative session that concluded April 15. Unless an emergency clause was implemented or a specific date was stated, these laws take effect July 15.
Senate Bill 101 requires school districts to expel students in grades 6-12 for a minimum of one year if they assault or attempt to physically injure a school employee or another student on school property or at a school bus stop. School officials are required to update disciplinary procedures to comply with the new law.
Another significant measure, House Bill 422, known as Logan’s Law, changes parole eligibility for violent offenders. Under the law, offenders sentenced to life imprisonment for violent crimes must serve at least 30 years before becoming eligible for parole. The legislation also requires consecutive sentences in cases involving multiple victims of violent felonies.
Senate Bill 104, known as the Halo Law, creates a 25-foot buffer zone around first responders while they are performing official duties during emergency situations. The law applies to police officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel and other first responders. Individuals who threaten, harass or interfere with emergency personnel within the buffer zone can face penalties.
Kentucky’s firearm laws are expanding under House Bill 312 to allow individuals ages 18 to 20 to obtain a provisional license to carry concealed firearms and other deadly weapons.
House Bill 7 addresses school transportation safety, which allows school districts to install cameras on school buses to identify drivers who illegally pass buses displaying extended stop arms. Violators may be subject to civil penalties based on video evidence captured by the cameras.
Residents can review the full list of enacted legislation and bill summaries on the Kentucky Legislature’s website at legislature.ky.gov.
