KY SB209

Creates the External Detainee Fatality Review Panel to review all deaths of individuals in custody of law enforcement agencies, county jails, regional detention centers, Department of Corrections, or Department of Juvenile Justice facilities

Panel consists of 16 nonvoting members (including legislative chairs, Attorney General, commissioners, and advocacy representatives) and 7 voting members (2 retired judges, 2 pathologists, 1 mental health professional, and 2 citizens) who serve 2-year terms

Law enforcement agencies, jailers, and corrections officials must submit coroner's reports, investigation reports, and extraordinary occurrence reports within 30 days of any detainee death; panel may request additional records including medical, behavioral health, autopsy, and video recordings

Panel must meet at least quarterly, post findings on the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet website after each meeting, and publish an annual report by December 1 with recommendations to prevent detainee fatalities

All panel members must be appointed by August 1, 2026, and the Legislative Oversight and Investigations Committee must conduct annual evaluations of the panel beginning in 2027