Kentucky · 2026 Regular Session · Bill
HB 185: AN ACT relating to employment and declaring an emergency.
Enacted Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
HB 185 is a bill introduced in the Kentucky House on January 7, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: AN ACT relating to employment and declaring an emergency. Primary sponsor: Emily Callaway (Republican), Jared Bauman (Republican), Robert Duvall (Republican), Matt Koch (Republican), T.J. Roberts (Republican), Walker Thomas (Republican). Most recent recorded action (April 10, 2026): signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 72).
Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written
Official summary
Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.
Create new sections of KRS Chapter 335B.010 to 335B.070 to require hiring or licensing authorities to establish an application process that gives persons convicted of a crime an opportunity to obtain a determination about whether the crime will disqualify the individual from a position of public employment or occupational license before pursuing employment or training; require hiring or licensing authorities to formulate policies and procedures for the application process by promulgating regulations no later than January 1, 2027; provide an annual report to the Legislative Research Commission by November 1, 2027; provide that certain entities are exempted from the requirements of the application process; amend KRS 335B.020 to add criteria for hiring and licensing authorities to consider when determining if a conviction directly relates to the position of public employment or occupational license sought; amend KRS 335B.030 to require hiring or licensing authorities to evaluate information and provide written findings of fact to the applicant upon determination.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Republican 6
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emily Callaway | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 37 |
| Jared Bauman | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 28 |
| Robert Duvall | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 17 |
| Matt Koch | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 72 |
| T.J. Roberts | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 66 |
| Walker Thomas | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 8 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 72)
- delivered to Governor
- enrolled, signed by President of the Senate
- enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House
- passed 91-0
- House concurred in Committee Substitute (1) and Committee Amendment (1-title)
- posted for passage for concurrence in Senate Committee Substitute (1) and Committee Amendment (1-title)
- to Rules (H)
- received in House
- 3rd reading, passed 37-0 with Committee Substitute (1) and Committee Amendment (1-title)
- posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Friday, March 20 2026
- 2nd reading, to Rules
Showing 12 most recent of 23 actions. Full history