AN ACT relating to the criminal justice system.

Amend KRS 31.010 and 31.020 to make technical corrections; amend KRS 31.030 to require the annual report filed by the Department of Public Advocacy to inform the LRC and the public of the work of all divisions of the department; amend KRS 31.110 to provide that the Department shall provide legal representation to a person who is accused of being in contempt of court for noncompliance with a court-ordered obligation only when the obligation arises out of a criminal prosecution or conviction or an action or adjudication for a public or status offense; create a new section of KRS Chapter 31 to provide that the Department of Public Advocacy shall not be appointed by a court to provide legal representation unless specifically authorized by KRS 31.110; amend KRS 31.211 to provide that any attorney providing legal representation under KRS Chapter 31 shall forward all information that indicates payment or reimbursement for services to the public advocate; amend KRS 31.215 to provide that any attorney providing legal representation under KRS Chapter 31 shall not accept fees for legal representation; create an exception for unsolicited gifts of de minimis value; amend KRS 31.219 to provide that any attorney providing legal representation under KRS Chapter 31 shall file a notice of appeal after trial if requested by his or her client; amend KRS 202A.121 to provide that an attorney appointed under KRS Chapter 202A shall be paid a fee fixed by the court not to exceed $500; direct the secretary of the Personnel Cabinet to work with the Department of Public Advocacy to develop and implement a new classification series for Department of Public Advocacy Trial Attorneys; make technical corrections.

Status

Passed

Signed or otherwise enacted

Status date

Apr 13, 2026

213 days ago

Current chamber

House of Representatives

Session

2026 Regular Session