Kentucky · 2026 Regular Session · Bill
SB 138: AN ACT relating to the protection of children.
In committee Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
SB 138 is a bill introduced in the Kentucky Senate on January 29, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: AN ACT relating to the protection of children. Primary sponsor: Brandon Smith (Republican), Scott Madon (Republican), Matt Nunn (Republican), Lindsey Tichenor (Republican). Most recent recorded action (March 13, 2026): 2nd reading, to Rules.
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 a new section of KRS Chapter 507 to establish the offense of child abuse homicide as a capital offense; amend KRS 199.896 to require licensed child-care centers to maintain video surveillance of all public areas within the facility and retain video footage for 90 days; amend KRS 507.030 to increase the age of a child victim of manslaughter in the first degree from 12 or under to under 18; amend KRS 507.040 to increase the penalty of manslaughter in the second degree from a Class C to a Class B felony if the victim is under the age of 18; amend KRS 508.100 to add knowingly as a mental state of a person guilty of criminal abuse in the first degree; increase the age of a victim from under age 12 to under age 18; increase the penalty of criminal abuse in the first degree from a Class C to a Class B felony and from a Class B to a Class A felony if the victim is under the age of 18; amend KRS 508.110 to increase the age of a victim of criminal abuse in the second degree from age 12 or less to under 18; increase the penalty from a Class D to a Class C felony; amend KRS 508.120 to increase the age of a victim of criminal abuse in the third degree from age 12 or less to under 18; increase the penalty from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class D felony; amend KRS 532.025, relating to aggravating circumstances in death penalty eligible cases, to increase the age of a victim of an intentional killing from under 12 to under 18; amend KRS 625.090 to create a rebuttable presumption that parental rights must be terminated if a parent has been convicted of a felony involving serious physical injury to any child or convicted of causing or contributing to the death of a child as a result of abuse; provide that the Act may be cited as Jayden's Law.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Republican 4
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon Smith | Primary sponsor | Republican | Senate | 30 |
| Scott Madon | Primary sponsor | Republican | Senate | 29 |
| Matt Nunn | Primary sponsor | Republican | Senate | 17 |
| Lindsey Tichenor | Primary sponsor | Republican | Senate | 6 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- 2nd reading, to Rules
- reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute (1) and Committee Amendment (1-title)
- to Judiciary (S)
- to Committee on Committees (S)
- introduced in Senate