Kentucky SB122 Family Preservation Act - Alternative Sentencing for Caretaker Defendants
Summary
Kentucky enacted the Family Preservation and Accountability Act, creating alternative sentencing procedures for defendants who are caretakers of dependent children. Courts must consider a defendant's caretaker status upon conviction and allow presentation of alternative sentencing plans and family impact statements. The court may require participation in programs supporting the parent-child relationship and may modify or revoke alternative sentences for non-compliance.
What changed
Kentucky enacted the Family Preservation and Accountability Act (SB122), creating new alternative sentencing provisions under KRS Chapter 533 for defendants who are caretakers of dependent children. The Act grants defendants the right to present alternative sentencing plans and family impact statements to the court. Courts may require participation in programs supporting the parent-child relationship and retain authority to modify or revoke alternative sentences if defendants fail to adhere to conditions.
Affected parties include criminal defendants who are caretakers of dependent children, Kentucky courts, and the state Department of Corrections. Courts must now access records under KRS Chapters 600-645 when determining alternative sentences. Legal professionals should familiarize themselves with these new procedural rights and the court's modified authority over alternative sentence enforcement.
What to do next
- Courts must consider defendant caretaker status upon conviction
- Defendants may present alternative sentencing plans and family impact statements
- Courts may require participation in parent-child relationship programs
Archived snapshot
Apr 11, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
ChangeBridge / Kentucky / SB122 Signed by Governor SB122 Senate Bill Signed by Governor 2026-04-10
AN ACT relating to judicial proceedings.
Create a new section of KRS Chapter 533 to define terms; require the court, upon conviction of the defendant, to consider the defendant's status as a caretaker of a dependent child; provide that a court's determination of a defendant's status as a caretaker of a dependent child shall not be admissible as evidence or be determinative in any subsequent proceeding; provide that the defendant shall have the right to present an alternative sentencing plan and a family impact statement to the court; provide that in issuing an alternative sentence, the court may require the defendant to participate in programs and services that support the parent-child relationship; provide that the court may modify or revoke the alternative sentence and commit the defendant to an institution if the defendant fails to adhere to or complete the conditions of an alternative sentence; amend KRS 610.340 to provide that a court determining whether to impose an alternative sentence for a defendant who is a caretaker of a dependent child has access to court records under KRS Chapters 600 to 645; provide that the Act may be cited as the Family Preservation and Accountability Act.
Bill Details
State Kentucky
Session 2026 Regular Session
Chamber Senate
Official Source apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/sb122....
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Sponsors
Julie Raque Adams (Sen - R) Brandon Storm (Sen - R) Gerald Neal (Sen - D)
Action History
2026-04-10 S signed by Governor 2026-03-31 S delivered to Governor 2026-03-31 S enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House 2026-03-31 S enrolled, signed by President of the Senate 2026-03-31 S passed 37-0 2026-03-31 S Senate concurred in Floor Amendment (1) and Floor Amendment (2-title) 2026-03-31 S posted for passage for concurrence in House Floor Amendments (1) and (2-title) 2026-03-27 S to Rules (S) 2026-03-27 S received in Senate 2026-03-27 H 3rd reading, passed 83-7 with Floor Amendment (1) and Floor Amendment (2-title) 2026-03-24 H posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Wednesday, March 25 2026 2026-03-24 H floor amendments (1) and (2-title) filed 2026-03-20 H 2nd reading, to Rules 2026-03-19 H reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar 2026-03-17 H to Families & Children (H) 2026-02-26 H to Committee on Committees (H) 2026-02-26 H received in House 2026-02-25 S 3rd reading, passed 35-2 with Floor Amendment (1) 2026-02-23 S posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Wednesday, February 25 2026 2026-02-19 S floor amendment (1) filed 2026-01-30 S 2nd reading, to Rules 2026-01-29 S reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar 2026-01-27 S to Judiciary (S) 2026-01-23 S to Committee on Committees (S) 2026-01-23 S introduced in Senate
Votes
2026-02-25 Senate: Third Reading RSN# 3856 Yea: 35 Nay: 2 2026-03-27 House: Veto Override RCS# 354 Yea: 83 Nay: 7 2026-03-31 Senate: Third Reading RSN# 4081 Yea: 37 Nay: 0
Committee Referrals
2026-01-23 S Committee on Committees 2026-01-27 S Judiciary 2026-01-30 S Rules 2026-02-26 H Committee On Committees 2026-03-17 H Families & Children 2026-03-20 H Rules 2026-03-27 S Rules
Amendments
0000-00-00 Senate Floor Amendment 0000-00-00 House Floor Amendment 0000-00-00 House Floor Amendment
Bill Text Versions
0000-00-00 Introduced 0000-00-00 Engrossed 0000-00-00 Enrolled
Subjects
Crimes and Punishments Criminal Procedure Parental Rights Public Safety Short Titles and Popular Names Corrections Impact Local Mandate Children and Minors Courts Legislative data powered by LegiScan (CC BY 4.0)
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