Kentucky · 2026 Regular Session · Bill
SB 72: AN ACT relating to the recruitment and retention of health care professionals and declaring an emergency.
Passed one chamber Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
SB 72 is a bill introduced in the Kentucky Senate on January 12, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: AN ACT relating to the recruitment and retention of health care professionals and declaring an emergency. Primary sponsor: Don Douglas (Republican), Gary Boswell (Republican), Greg Elkins (Republican), Robby Mills (Republican), Matt Nunn (Republican), Steve Rawlings (Republican), Gex Williams (Republican), Max Wise (Republican). Most recent recorded action (February 17, 2026): to Committee on Committees (H).
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 344 to ensure federal law relating to emergency medical treatment and the collection of evidence is not overridden; define terms; prohibit discrimination against health care professionals who decline to perform procedures that violate their conscience; grant health care professionals the right not to participate in services that violate their conscience; exempt health care professionals from liability for exercising these rights; prohibit hiring or licensing authorities from reprimanding health care professionals; require hiring or licensing authorities to provide complaints it has received to health care professionals; establish a civil cause of action for persons injured by violations; provide that the Act may be cited as the Health Care Heroes Recruitment and Retention Act; EMERGENCY.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Republican 8
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Don Douglas | Primary sponsor | Republican | Senate | 22 |
| Gary Boswell | Primary sponsor | Republican | Senate | 8 |
| Greg Elkins | Primary sponsor | Republican | Senate | 28 |
| Robby Mills | Primary sponsor | Republican | Senate | 4 |
| Matt Nunn | Primary sponsor | Republican | Senate | 17 |
| Steve Rawlings | Primary sponsor | Republican | Senate | 11 |
| Gex Williams | Primary sponsor | Republican | Senate | 20 |
| Max Wise | Primary sponsor | Republican | Senate | 16 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- to Committee on Committees (H)
- received in House
- 3rd reading, passed 28-5
- posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Friday, February 13 2026
- 2nd reading, to Rules
- reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar
- to Health Services (S)
- to Committee on Committees (S)
- introduced in Senate