KentuckyKentucky corrections officials can set execution procedures through internal policies
The law lets the Kentucky Department of Corrections set execution procedures through internal policies without adopting formal state rules and requires those policies to be public online.
What it does
The Kentucky Department of Corrections can set and carry out execution procedures through internal policies without following the formal process for adopting state rules.
The Kentucky Department of Corrections must publish the internal policies and other actions it adopts under the death penalty exemption on its website.
Argument forUsing internal policies could let corrections officials update execution procedures more quickly because they can skip the formal process for adopting state rules.
Argument againstSkipping the formal process for adopting state rules could reduce outside review of execution procedures, even though officials must publish their policies online.
More detail
The Kentucky Department of Corrections may set and carry out execution procedures through internal policies, memoranda, or other actions. The department does not have to issue formal state rules about the death penalty. The exemption applies despite other laws that would require the formal process for adopting state rules.
The Kentucky Department of Corrections must make these internal policies and other actions publicly available on its website. This requirement covers policies, memoranda, and other actions adopted under the exemption from formal state rules about the death penalty.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 14delivered to Secretary of State (Acts Ch. 181)Latest
- Vote recorded Veto Override. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded OVERRIDE VETO FINAL PASSAGE SB 251. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 14enrolled, signed by Speaker of the HouseTo Governor
- Apr 14enrolled, signed by President of the SenateMajor
- Apr 14received in Senate
- Apr 14passed 74-16Major
- Apr 14veto overriddenMajor
- Apr 14posted for consideration of Governor's veto
- Apr 14taken from Rules (H)
- Apr 14to Rules (H)Minor
- Apr 14received in House
- Apr 14passed 30-7Major
- Apr 14veto overriddenMajor
- Apr 14posted for passage for consideration of Governor's veto
- Apr 14to Rules (S)Minor
- Apr 14received in Senate
- Apr 13VetoedMajor
- Apr 1delivered to Governor
- Vote recorded FINAL PASSAGE OF SB 251 w/ HFA 2. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 1enrolled, signed by Speaker of the HouseMajor
- Apr 1enrolled, signed by President of the SenateMajor
- Apr 1posted for passage for concurrence in House Floor Amendment (2)
- Apr 1passed 27-9Major
- Apr 1Senate concurred in Floor Amendment (2)
- Apr 1to Rules (S)Minor
- Apr 1received in Senate
- Mar 313rd reading, passed 68-23 with Floor Amendment (2)Passed House
- Vote recorded Pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Adopt. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 31placed in the Orders of the Day
- Mar 31taken from Rules
- Mar 27floor amendment (2) filedMinor
- Mar 272nd reading, to RulesMinor
- Mar 26floor amendment (1) filedMinor
- Mar 26reported favorably, 1st reading, to CalendarMinor
- Mar 24to State Government (H)Minor
- Mar 17to Committee on Committees (H)Minor
- Mar 17received in House
- Mar 163rd reading, passed 24-11Passed Senate
- Vote recorded PASS SB 251. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 16floor amendment (1) filedMinor
- Mar 13posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Monday, March 16 2026
- Mar 132nd reading, to RulesMinor
- Mar 12reported favorably, 1st reading, to CalendarMinor
- Mar 9to Judiciary (S)Minor
- Feb 25to Committee on Committees (S)Minor
- Feb 25introduced in SenateIntroduced
- Apr 14delivered to Secretary of State (Acts Ch. 181)Latest
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