Sextortion, anti-DEI and moments of silence: several new Kentucky laws take effect
FRANKFORT, Ky. (WNKY) – A batch of Kentucky laws are going into place, with most taking effect on this past Friday, June 27, following the constitutionally required 90-day post-session period.
An additional legislation, the creation of a film office, takes effect on Monday, July 1, the start of a new fiscal year.
Here’s a rundown of the major ones:
Sextortion Becomes a Felony (Senate Bill 73):
Creates a separate crime for sextortion with stiffer penalties if the victim is a minor or if a weapon is involved, and requires schools to educate students and post resources.
DEI Ban at Public Universities (House Bill 4):
Requires public universities to eliminate DEI programs, staff, and scholarships and to certify “viewpoint neutrality.”
Student Cellphone Ban (House Bill 208):
Mandates that local school boards prohibit students from using cellphones and social media during instructional time, with limited exceptions.
Legislative Interference Criminalized (House Bill 399):
Designates disruptive conduct in legislative buildings as a misdemeanor for first offenses and a felony for repeat offenses.
Rollback of Worker Safety Protections (House Bill 398):
Eliminates Kentucky-specific occupational-safety standards in favor of federal regulations and allows businesses to recover litigation costs from enforcement agencies.
Mandated Moment of Silence (Senate Bill 19):
Requires a daily moment of silence in public schools for reflection, meditation or prayer.
Ban on Inmate Hormone Therapy (Senate Bill 2):
Prohibits gender-affirming hormone treatments and surgeries for incarcerated individuals.
New Limits on Foreign Farm Land Purchases (House Bill 315):
Restricts certain foreign entities from purchasing agricultural land in Kentucky.
Regulated Birthing Centers (House Bill 90):
Establishes licensure and regulation for standalone birthing centers statewide. The law removes the certificate of need requirement and requires centers to be within 30 miles of a hospital with transfer agreements.
Free-standing Film Office (Senate Bill 1):
Creates the Kentucky Film Office and council to manage incentives and promote the state’s film industry. This is the lone bill within this rundown that takes effect on July 1.
