New state laws in Kentucky are set to go into effect on Thursday after passing the General Assembly in January this year.
In accordance with the Kentucky Constitution, new laws take effect 90 days after the legislature adjourns, making June 29 the effective date for most measures—and the General Assembly passed more than 170 bills during the 2023 session. Typically, the only exception to that rule are bills that have special effective dates, are general appropriation measures, or include emergency clauses.
Of the measures taking effect Thursday, it includes Sports Wagering—House Bill 551, which creates a structure to legalize, regulate and tax sports wagering in Kentucky under the auspices of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission. Only licensed tracks will be permitted to obtain a sports wagering license, and the bill sets up a fund to address problem gambling. There’s also the ‘gray machine’ ban, clarifying that those devices are illegal in Kentucky.
Controversial Senate Bill 150 is on the list, specifically the section of the bill that bans puberty blockers, hormones and gender-related surgeries for minors.
It also includes House Bill 249, which makes the intentional killing of a child under age 12 an aggravating circumstance and ensures that a person who is guilty of killing a child would either be subject to life in prison without parole or the death penalty.
Other bills include one looking to address the teacher shortage in Kentucky, a religious freedom in schools bill, a mental health bill to support law enforcement officers and a bill that allows courts to order restitution for children whose parents are killed or permanently disabled by an intoxicated driver.