summary
Introduced
02/18/2025
02/18/2025
In Committee
02/20/2025
02/20/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
03/28/2025
03/28/2025
Introduced Session
2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Amend KRS 514.020 to include alteration, falsification, forgery, or misrepresentation of any instrument involving the conveyance or financing or real property as prima facie evidence of intent to commit theft by unlawful taking; amend KRS 514.030 to establish the penalty for theft of immovable property or real property; amend KRS 15.113 to direct the Attorney General to create notices and publications designed to inform and educate the public regarding the risks posed by deed fraud; amend KRS 15.231 to establish concurrent jurisdiction of the Attorney General with Commonwealth's attorneys and county attorneys for the prosecution of theft of unlawful taking involving real property; amend KRS 134.119 to require the sheriff of each county to include the publication prepared by the Attorney General in every notice to a taxpayer relating to the collection of property taxes; create a new section of KRS Chapter 67 to require each county clerk to establish a property owner notification service to notify owners of real property who register for the service when a document is recorded under the name of the property owner or the address of the property owner; establish that a county clerk shall not be liable for failure to provide notice.
AI Summary
This bill addresses property theft, particularly deed fraud, by introducing several key provisions to protect real property owners. The bill amends existing Kentucky law to establish that altering, falsifying, forging, or misrepresenting documents related to real property conveyance or financing is prima facie evidence of intent to commit theft. It increases penalties for theft of immovable property by charging offenders one level higher than standard theft charges. The Attorney General is now required to create educational materials about deed fraud risks and make these available to the public. The bill also establishes a new free property owner notification service through county clerks, where property owners can register to be automatically notified if any documents are recorded under their name or property address. Additionally, the Attorney General is granted concurrent jurisdiction with local prosecutors to prosecute certain property-related offenses. County sheriffs must now include the Attorney General's deed fraud informational materials with property tax notices, aiming to raise public awareness about the risks of property fraud and provide resources to potential victims.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
to Judiciary (S) (on 02/20/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/25RS/sb194.html |
| Fiscal Note for SB194 | https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/recorddocuments/note/25RS/sb194/FN.pdf |
| BillText | https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/recorddocuments/bill/25RS/sb194/orig_bill.pdf |
| Corrections Impact | https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/recorddocuments/note/25RS/sb194/CI.pdf |
| Local Mandate Fiscal Impact | https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/recorddocuments/note/25RS/sb194/LM.pdf |
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