New laws that take effect tomorrow

During the 2025 Legislative Session, over 1,100 bills were filed, and approximately 140 of them were enacted into law. Most of these new laws will take effect tomorrow, Friday, June 27. Some of these measures received unanimous support or had broad bipartisan backing, while others sparked intense debate and division both within the legislature and among the public. Here is a comprehensive breakdown of these key laws grouped by topic:  EDUCATION SB 19 – Moment of Silence & Moral Instruction Requires K-12 schools to begin each day with a moment of silence. Students must remain seated and silent during this time. School districts may also allow students to leave for up to one hour per week for “moral instruction” held off-campus. SB 181 – Communication Accountability in Schools Requires traceable communication systems for all school-related messaging between educators, students, and parents. It intends to protect student safety and confidentiality and help manage misconduct concerns. HB 208 – Cell Phone Use in Classrooms Directs all school boards to adopt policies prohibiting personal cell phone use during class unless for approved educational purposes or emergencies. HB 132 – Instruction in Inpatient Facilities Ensures students admitted to inpatient facilities for mental or physical health begin receiving educational services on day one. SB 73 – Sextortion Awareness in Schools Requires schools and colleges to create prevention education about sexual extortion. Part of a broader effort to address rising concerns about digital abuse and coercion. SB 120 – Coach Training and Child Abuse Awareness Requires school administrators and coaches to be trained on how to recognize and report child abuse and neglect. Adds information on abuse reporting to sports consent forms, reminding students of their rights and Kentucky’s mandatory reporting laws. Grants the Kentucky Board of Education control over who manages high school sports, with final approval of rules. HIGHER EDUCATION & FREE EXPRESSION HB 4 – Prohibition on DEI Funding in Colleges Bans public colleges and universities from using state funds for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Requires the elimination of DEI offices and staff and bars mandatory DEI training. Colleges must adopt viewpoint neutrality policies and be fully compliant by June 30, 2025. WORKPLACE, LICENSING & PROFESSIONAL REGULATIONS  HB 398 – State Workforce Rules Cannot Exceed Federal OSHA Prohibits the state from adopting or enforcing workplace safety regulations that are stricter than federal standards. Rolls back longstanding state-specific protections, including fall protection at 10 feet. SB 22 – Mobile Barbershops and Licensing Changes  Legalizes mobile salons and barbershops, regulated by the Kentucky Board of Barbering. Allows unlimited retakes of licensing exams for barbers, nail techs, estheticians, and cosmetologists. HB 233 – Contract Cancellation for Home Repairs Allows homeowners to cancel service contracts within five business days if insurance claims are denied or not fully covered. Requires service providers to disclose cancellation rights and contact information. HB 157 – “Friends of Kentucky Agriculture” License Plate Establishes a new specialty license plate that raises funds for agricultural programs across the commonwealth.PUBLIC SAFETY & LAW ENFORCEMENT  HB 399 – Interfering with a Legislative Proceeding Creates a Class A misdemeanor for disrupting legislative proceedings. A third or subsequent offense becomes a Class D felony. It is worth noting that it does not prohibit peaceful assembly in public forums like the Capitol Rotunda. SB 73 – Increased Penalties for Sextortion Elevates sextortion involving minors, weapons, or prior sexual offenses to a Class D felony (1–5 years in prison). Includes educational awareness mandates for schools and colleges. HB 520 – Law Enforcement Record Discretion Changes the standard for denying open records requests from “would harm” to “could pose a risk.” Allows greater discretion for law enforcement to withhold investigatory records. HB 390 – Real-Time Insurance Verification Establishes an online system for law enforcement and courts to verify vehicle insurance coverage electronically. It intends to reduce fraud and administrative delays.  VETERANS & MILITARY FAMILIES  HB 305 – Healthcare Workforce Investment Fund Creates a fund to expand training and scholarships for healthcare professionals, with emphasis on underserved communities. HB 303 – Bridge Programs for Military Medical Personnel Allows Kentucky colleges to create accelerated programs for veterans with medical training to transition into civilian healthcare careers. HOUSING & PROPERTY RIGHTS  HB 27 – Political Yard Signs and HOAs Prevents Homeowners’ Associations from banning political yard signs. Residents can display signs 30 days before and 7 days after an election. HOAs may still regulate size and placement. GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY & TRANSPARENCY HB 242 – Access to Child Welfare Data for Research Allows approved researchers to access confidential child welfare records for policy evaluation, with privacy safeguards. HB 423 – Prior Authorization Exemptions for Healthcare Providers Allows providers with strong track records to qualify for exemptions from prior authorization, reducing administrative delays in patient care.  INFRASTRUCTURE & UTILITIES  HJR 30 – Release of $65M+ for Water Infrastructure Authorizes the use of $65.6 million from the Budget Reserve Trust Fund to support water and wastewater infrastructure projects statewide. HJR 32 – School Construction Assistance Releases funds to assist local districts with high-priority school construction projects where local revenue is insufficient.  BILLS WITH DIFFERENT EFFECTIVE DATES  HB 15 (Already effective): Lowers age for driver’s permits to 15. HB 495 (Already effective): Voids prior executive order banning conversion therapy using public funds. SB 1 (July 1): Establishes Kentucky Film Office. HB 136 (January 1, 2026): Criminal justice contracting reform. HB 191 (January 1, 2026): Veterans’ cemetery eligibility.