Kentucky · 2026 Regular Session · Bill
HB 657: AN ACT relating to professional licensing background checks.
Enacted Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
HB 657 is a bill introduced in the Kentucky House on February 18, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: AN ACT relating to professional licensing background checks. Most recent recorded action (March 27, 2026): signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 6).
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 319, 319A, 334A, 335.010 to 335.160, and 335.500 to 335.599, relating to psychologists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists and audiologists, social workers, and professional counselors, to require a national and state background check for applicants seeking an initial license, reinstatement of a license, or authorization to practice in another state in accordance with a compact; provide that the results of a national and state criminal background check shall not be distributed by the board except to any applicant upon request or as evidence in a legal proceeding; provide that the fee charged by the Department of Kentucky State Police shall be an amount no greater than the actual cost of processing the request and conducting the background check; require the boards to review criminal background checks for every Kentucky licensee seeking to practice in another state before the board makes a determination on whether the person is eligible to apply for compact privileges; provide that boards shall not require a criminal background check solely for the purpose of renewing a license; and require boards to promulgate administrative regulations to implement this Act.
Sponsors
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No sponsor recorded in source data. | ||||
“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. 6)
- delivered to Governor
- enrolled, signed by President of the Senate
- enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House
- received in House
- 3rd reading, passed 36-1
- posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Tuesday, March 24 2026
- 2nd reading, to Rules
- reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar
- to Licensing & Occupations (S)
- to Committee on Committees (S)
- received in Senate
Showing 12 most recent of 19 actions. Full history