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KY HB637

Bill

Status

Introduced

2/12/2026

Primary Sponsor

Rachel Roarx

Click for details

Origin

House of Representatives

2026 Regular Session

AI Summary

  • Kentucky State Police must develop and operate a publicly accessible animal abuse offender registry by January 1, 2027, listing offenders' names, ages, counties of residence, photographs, and crime descriptions
  • Offenders convicted of animal abuse must register for 2 years for a first offense and 5 years for each subsequent offense, with registration periods running consecutively
  • Registration requires a $100 fee at initial registration plus $100 annually, with fees waived for indigent persons; fees fund the registry operations
  • Cabinet for Health and Family Services employees must report suspected animal abuse or neglect observed during job duties to law enforcement
  • Veterinarians are now required (changed from optional) to report animal abuse to the State Veterinarian for livestock/poultry or law enforcement for other animals

Legislative Description

AN ACT relating to animal welfare.

Courts

Last Action

to Judiciary (H)

2/20/2026

Committee Referrals

Judiciary2/20/2026
Committee On Committees2/12/2026

Full Bill Text

No bill text available