summary
Introduced
01/15/2026
01/15/2026
In Committee
01/23/2026
01/23/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Amend KRS 342.610 to remove the presumption that the use of an illegal substance prior to an accident caused the injury; provide that the use of an illegal substance shall be the proximate cause of the injury.
AI Summary
This bill amends Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS) 342.610, which deals with workers' compensation. Specifically, it changes the rules regarding injuries that occur after an employee has used an illegal substance. Previously, there was a presumption that if an employee used an illegal substance before an accident, that substance caused the injury. This bill removes that presumption and instead requires that the use of an illegal substance must be proven to be the direct cause, or "proximate cause," of the injury for workers' compensation benefits to be denied. This means the burden of proof shifts to demonstrate a direct causal link between the substance use and the injury, rather than automatically assuming it.
Committee Categories
Business and Industry
Sponsors (12)
Al Gentry (D)*,
Chad Aull (D),
Tina Bojanowski (D),
Adrielle Camuel (D),
Beverly Chester-Burton (D),
Anne Donworth (D),
Daniel Grossberg (D),
Erika Hancock (D),
Nima Kulkarni (D),
Matthew Lehman (D),
Rachel Roarx (D),
Joshua Watkins (D),
Last Action
to Economic Development & Workforce Investment (H) (on 01/23/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/hb402.html |
| BillText | https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/recorddocuments/bill/26RS/hb402/orig_bill.pdf |
| Local Mandate Fiscal Impact | https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/recorddocuments/note/26RS/hb402/LM.pdf |
Loading...