summary
Introduced
01/22/2026
01/22/2026
In Committee
02/25/2026
02/25/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Create a new section of KRS 344.010 to 344.025 to define terms; set standards for determinations of impairments; amend KRS 344.010 to define "major life activities," "regarded as having such an impairment," and "transitory impairment"; amend KRS 344.020 to provide for execution of the policies embodied in the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008; amend KRS 344.030 to provide that "qualified individual with a disability" is to be interpreted consistently with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 2008; amend KRS 344.190 to remove the adjudicative powers of the Human Rights Commission regarding matters related to employment and public accommodations; amend KRS 344.200 to provide that an aggrieved individual may file a civil action for a discriminatory practice other than a housing practice without first filing a complaint with the Human Rights Commission; require a probable cause determination on a complaint to be made within 30 days of the commission's receipt of the respondent's response or the expiry of the time for a response, whichever is later; require orders dismissing complaints with the commission to be made without prejudice; allow an aggrieved individual to file a civil action for the same grievance while a complaint is either pending with or has been dismissed by the Human Rights Commission; provide that the filing of a complaint before the commission does not toll the statute of limitations for the filing of a civil action; provide that the statute of limitations for an action filed by the commission on behalf of a private party who has not previously filed an action for that grievance is 3 years as provided under KRS 413.115; provide that a civil action for a grievance may only be filed by either the private party or the commission but not both; allow for a private party or the commission to intervene as a third party in a civil action filed by the other; bar the recovery of monetary damages by the commission; limit a private party's remedies to those set out in KRS 344.450; provide that all matters of fact are to be triable by jury; allow a private party with an complaint already filed with or pending before the commission to bring a civil action for the same grievance within 1 year of the effective date of this Act; amend KRS 344.320 to eliminate adjudicative functions of local commissions; amend KRS 344.635 to allow a party to a complaint for a discriminatory housing charge with the Human Rights Commission to demand a trial by jury if a civil action is elected in lieu of administrative hearing; repeal KRS 344.210, 344.230, 344.240, 344.270, and 344.340 related to adjudicative functions of the Human Rights Commission; amend KRS 344.660 and 344.675 to conform.
AI Summary
This bill modifies Kentucky's civil rights laws to align with federal standards, particularly the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA), and to streamline the process for individuals seeking redress for discrimination. Key provisions include redefining terms like "disability" and "major life activities" to be interpreted broadly, similar to federal law, and clarifying that impairments are considered disabilities even if episodic or in remission, and without regard to mitigating measures like medication or assistive devices, except for ordinary eyeglasses. The bill also shifts the primary enforcement mechanism for employment and public accommodation discrimination away from the Human Rights Commission's adjudicative powers, allowing individuals to file civil lawsuits directly in court without first going through the commission. It sets new timelines for probable cause determinations by the commission, allows for civil actions to be filed concurrently with or after commission proceedings, and clarifies that filing a complaint with the commission does not pause the statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit. Furthermore, the bill limits the commission's role in civil actions to seeking relief for private parties and bars the commission from recovering monetary damages, while private parties can pursue remedies outlined in KRS 344.450, with all factual matters to be decided by a jury. For housing discrimination cases, parties can now demand a jury trial if they opt for a civil action instead of an administrative hearing. The bill also repeals several sections of KRS Chapter 344 related to the commission's adjudicative functions and makes conforming changes to other sections.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
2nd reading, to Rules (on 02/26/2026)
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/26RS/hb468.html |
| BillText | https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/recorddocuments/bill/26RS/hb468/orig_bill.pdf |
| Local Mandate Fiscal Impact | https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/recorddocuments/note/26RS/hb468/LM.pdf |
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