Several new Kentucky laws take effect Friday

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WKYT) - Several new laws will take effect on June 27th.

During the short session, about 140 bills were passed by lawmakers.

House Bill 4 prevents colleges and universities from spending money on Diversity Equity & Inclusion initiatives. The measure also states that schools must eliminate all DEI offices and positions.

Senate Bill 22 allows mobile barbershops and salons to operate in the state. They will be licensed and regulated by the Kentucky Board of Barbering. It also allows for retakes of exams and removes limits on how many times exams can be retaken. It applies to barbers, cosmetologists, estheticians and nail techs.

Senate Bill 19 requires K-12 Schools to observe a moment of silence at the start of each school day.

House Bill 398 prohibits the state from adopting or enforcing any workforce regulations that are stricter than federal standards.

House Bill 399- interfering with a legislative proceeding is now a Class A misdemeanor on first offense and a Class D Felony for third or subsequent offense. Includes rotunda or outdoor areas of the Capitol Ground.

Senate Bill 181 requires local school boards to establish a traceable communication system for messaging between educators/coaches with students and parents.

Senate Bill 73 creates tougher penalties for sextortion, more severe charges when it involves a minor. Schools will have to create education and awareness initiatives to help prevent sextortion.

House Bill 191 expands eligibility in Kentucky state veterans’ cemeteries. National Guard and reserve service members, along with their families, will be eligible for burial.

House Bill 520 gives law enforcement agencies the power to deny open records requests if the release “could harm the agency or investigation.” It strikes the word “would” from the law and replaces it with “could” pose a risk or harm.

House Bill 208 requires school boards to create policies that prohibit the use of cell phones in classrooms.

House Bill 10 aims to address squatting by providing a more concrete procedure for property owners and law enforcement to quickly remove unauthorized occupants from private property. It also spells out criminal penalties for squatters who damage property.

Senate Bill 130 says individuals who tamper with gift cards to steal the redemption information and drain the card balance could face a class D felony charge.

House Bill 315 prohibits certain hostile foreign entities from acquiring agricultural land in Kentucky.

House Bill 90 creates a regulatory framework for freestanding birthing centers to operate in Kentucky. It also calls for hospitals, birthing centers and other obstetric care centers to offer perinatal palliative care to women who receive a prenatal diagnosis of deadly fetal abnormalities. Other sections of the bill took effect in March. Those provisions seek to clarify Kentucky’s abortion law and ensure that women experiencing a miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy, or other life-threatening complications can receive care.