KY SB181

Prohibits school district employees and qualified school volunteers from engaging in private electronic communications with students outside designated traceable communication systems unless parents provide written consent, with exemptions for family members, emergencies, virtual instruction, and communications where parents are included

Requires mandatory age-appropriate child sexual abuse prevention instruction for all students regardless of grade level, following National Children's Alliance standards approved by Children's Advocacy Centers of Kentucky (cited as "Erin's Law")

Strengthens employment screening by requiring school districts to contact previous employers for reference checks on applicants, mandating disclosure of any disciplinary actions related to "abusive conduct" (sexual misconduct or conduct requiring mandatory reporting under KRS 620.030), and prohibiting nondisclosure agreements related to misconduct involving minors

Mandates that school districts complete investigations into allegations of abusive conduct against employees even if the employee transfers or leaves the district, and requires maintaining related records in personnel files until investigations conclude

Requires the Kentucky Department of Education to develop training on appropriate/inappropriate relationships with students, sexual grooming, and sexual misconduct by May 1, 2027, with all school district employees required to complete this training every five years beginning in the 2027-2028 school year