Kentucky Revised Statutes
Includes enactments through the 2024 Regular Session
Chapter titles, centered headings, section catchlines, and explanatory notes are for informational purposes only and do not constitute any part of the law. For general laws governing construction of statutes, see KRS Chapter 446.
The KRS database was last updated on 11/21/2024
.005 Definition of "character education."
.007 Definitions for chapter.
.010 Uniform school system to be maintained -- Variations.
.020 Repealed, 1966.
.021 Repealed, 1966.
.025 Repealed, 1966.
.030 "Common school" defined -- Attendance at public school and primary school program -- Advancement without regard to age -- Local boards to adopt policy establishing petition and evaluation process for students who do not meet age requirements.
.031 Primary school program -- Authority for administrative regulations -- Attributes -- Part time attendance -- Grouping -- Advancement -- Reporting requirements.
.032 Flagging record of missing child -- Procedure upon recovery -- Documents required upon enrollment or transfer.
.033 Instruction in student's home or hospital -- Signed statement of diagnosed condition -- Calculation of instructional sessions for purposes of KRS 157.360 -- Students with disabilities -- Administrative regulations.
.035 Certificate of immunization.
.036 Repealed, 1988.
.037 Report of immunization results.
.038 Student identification badges must contain hotline number contact information relating to domestic violence, sexual assault, and suicide prevention -- Recommendation required of Cabinet for Health and Family Services.
.040 Repealed, 1946.
.050 School year.
.060 School month and school day -- Duty-free lunch period -- Nonteaching time for teachers.
.065 Repealed, 1974.
.070 School district calendar committee -- School calendar adoption procedures -- Variable student instructional year -- Professional development -- Holidays and days closed -- Waivers -- Scheduling of athletic competitions -- Continuing education for students -- Student attendance days and their equivalents in instructional year -- Nontraditional instruction program -- Administrative regulations -- Breakfast program -- Calculation of service credit and equivalent time for days missed by employees due to emergencies.
.072 Eligible students -- Change of residence within district -- Option to remain enrolled in original school -- Transportation.
.075 Veterans Day observance in public schools.
.080 Private and parochial schools -- Courses -- School calendar.
.090 Repealed, 1990.
.100 Program required to be provided by school district -- Additional programs permitted -- Refugee or legal alien students -- Virtual high school completion program.
.102 Requirement for library media center -- Employment of librarian.
.105 War veterans may complete high school course without tuition.
.107 Repealed, 1982.
.108 Effect of failure to pay for or rent school supplies.
.110 Transportation of pupils.
.115 Supplementation of school bus transportation system by county out of general funds -- Annual report to Interim Joint Committee on Appropriations and Revenue.
.120 Nonresident pupils -- Nonresident pupil policy -- Tuition.
.130 Repealed, 1990.
.135 Reimbursement for school services for state agency children in state institution or day treatment center or in custody of Department of Juvenile Justice.
.137 Educational passports for state agency children.
.140 Admission to high school -- Promotion -- Classification -- High school diploma -- Alternative high school diploma -- Academy diploma -- Posthumous diploma -- Diploma for certain honorably discharged veterans -- Vocational certificate of completion.
.141 Passing grade on civics test or course in civic literacy required for high school graduation -- Testing procedures -- Department to submit testing data to the Legislative Research Commission -- Instruction areas for civic literacy course -- Administrative regulations.
.1411 Successful completion of course or program on financial literacy required for high school graduation -- Establishment of academic standards, curricula, and guidelines for financial literacy.
.1413 Essential workplace ethics instruction program -- Required characteristics -- Required biennial collaboration -- Symbol of attainment of essential workplace ethics indicators -- Biennial reporting on program.
.1415 Curriculum for instruction on human sexuality or sexually transmitted diseases -- Written consent of parents -- Notification to parents -- Provision of alternative curriculum.
.142 Early high school graduation program -- Requirements -- Early Graduation Scholarship Certificate -- Award from early graduation scholarship trust fund.
.143 High school equivalency diploma -- Eligibility -- State agency child -- Student enrolled in district-operated alternative education program.
.144 Adult caregiver with whom minor student resides may, by affidavit, establish authority to make school-related decisions for minor student -- Conditions -- Caretaker's decision may be superseded -- Obligations and liability of person relying on affidavit of authority -- Revocation of affidavit -- Statute subordinate to federal law -- Penalty.
.145 Legislative findings and declarations on school dropout rate.
.146 Establishment of strategy to address school dropout problem -- Department to provide technical assistance, award grants, and disseminate information to school districts and school level personnel.
.148 Definitions of "bullying" and "parent or guardian" -- Discipline guidelines, transportation services policy, and model policies -- Local code of acceptable behavior and discipline -- Required contents of code.
.149 Use of tobacco products, alternative nicotine products, and vapor products on school property and during school activities -- Written policies -- Penalties -- Department to post nicotine awareness information on website -- Annual reports.
.150 Suspension or expulsion of students -- Placement into alternative program option.
.153 Punishment based on child's records -- Disclosure of records -- Cause of action -- Districtwide standards of behavior for students participating in extracurricular activities.
.154 Repealed, 2024.
.155 Reporting of specified incidents of student conduct -- Notation on school records -- Report to law enforcement of certain student conduct -- Immunity -- Penalty.
.1559 Superintendent of each local school district shall require the principal of each school within the district to provide written notice to all students, parents, and guardians about the provisions of KRS 508.078, and the potential penalties for terroristic threatening -- Notice shall be given within ten days of the first instructional day of each school year.
.156 Reporting of commission of felony KRS Chapter 508 offense against a student -- Investigation -- Immunity from liability for reporting -- Privileges no bar to reporting.
.160 Notification to school by parent or guardian of child's medical condition threatening school safety -- Exclusion of child with communicable disease from school -- Closing of school during epidemic.
.162 Mandatory adoption of emergency management response plan in each school -- School to maintain portable automated external defibrillators -- Emergency response drills -- Consequence of schools failing to comply.
.1621 Reporting of number of portable automated external defibrillators.
.1622 School AED fund.
.163 Earthquake and tornado emergency procedure system.
.164 Building lockdown procedures -- Practice.
.165 Possession and use of personal telecommunications device by public school student.
.170 Bible to be read.
.175 Recitation of Lord's prayer and pledge of allegiance -- Instruction in proper respect for and display of the flag -- Observation of moment of silence or reflection.
.177 Teaching of evolution -- Right to include Bible theory of creation.
.178 Ten Commandments to be displayed.
.180 Repealed, 1978.
.181 Legislative findings.
.182 Definitions for KRS 158.181 to 158.187.
.183 Prohibited acts by students -- Rights of student -- Duties of local board of education -- Administrative remedies.
.184 Construction favoring establishment clause, religious liberty, and free speech.
.185 Construction prohibiting school employee from leading, directing, or encouraging religious or anti-religious activity in violation of establishment clause.
.186 Copies of law to local school board, school-based decision making council, and certified employees.
.187 Short title for KRS 158.181 to 158.187.
.188 Teaching activities permitted in the secular study of religion with the use of the Bible or other scripture.
.189 Legislative findings -- Policies for use of restrooms by students of the opposite biological sex -- Requirements -- Best available accommodation to be provided.
.190 Sectarian, infidel, or immoral books prohibited.
.191 Health and mental health services related to human sexuality, contraception, or family planning -- District to notify parents -- District prohibited from keeping student information confidential from a parent -- Prohibition on policies for use of pronouns that do not conform to a student's biological sex.
.192 Complaint alleging that material, program, or event is harmful to minors -- Complaint resolution policy -- Determination by principal -- Appeal -- Final disposition by board -- Request by parent or guardian to preclude student access -- Parent's or guardian's access -- Model policy.
.193 Private religious expression by school employees -- Activities permitted while employees are on duty -- Construction.
.194 Bill of Rights to be displayed.
.195 Display of national motto in public elementary and secondary schools -- Reading and posting in public schools of texts and documents on American history and heritage.
.196 Instructional materials standards and concepts -- Documents and speeches to be included.
.197 Elective course on religious scripture -- Purpose -- Restrictions -- School council or governing body authorized to display historic religious and nonreligious artifacts, monuments, symbols, and texts in conjunction with course of study.
.200 Moral instruction.
.210 Survey of desire for moral instruction may be made.
.220 Time allowed for moral instruction in suitable place.
.230 Arrangements with persons in charge.
.240 Credit for moral instruction.
.250 Activities for nonparticipants in moral instruction classes.
.260 Cost of moral instruction.
.270 Repealed, 1974.
.280 Repealed, 1984.
.281 Definitions for KRS 156.476, 158.281, 158.282, and 161.051.
.282 Instruction of all blind students in the use of braille -- Assessment for blind students in program -- Exceptions.
.285 Repealed, 1990.
.286 Repealed, 1990.
.290 School fundraising activities.
.292 Excused absences for students who serve as election officers.
.293 Excused absences for secondary school students who participate in Military Burial Honor Guard Program -- Inclusion in instructional program.
.294 Excused absences for students who participate in Veterans' Service Organization Burial Honor Guard -- Inclusion in instructional program.
.295 Repealed, 1990.
.297 Meningococcal meningitis disease and vaccine information.
.300 Repealed, 1982.
.301 Legislative findings on skin cancer risks -- Schools encouraged to educate students on risks of exposure to ultraviolet rays.
.302 Cardiopulmonary resuscitation training required for high school students.
.303 Educational segment on prevention of pediatric abusive head trauma encouraged.
.305 Definitions for section -- Implementation of multitiered system of supports for kindergarten through grade three -- Evidence -- Assistance -- Universal screener and diagnostic assessment -- Comprehensive reading program -- Training -- Reading improvement plan and team -- Accelerated interventions -- Teacher academies or coaching models -- Web-based resource -- Collaboration -- Screening not to be considered evaluation for special education.
.307 Dyslexia toolkit to assist school districts in instructing students with dyslexia -- Professional development related to dyslexia -- Local board of education policy to identify and assist students in kindergarten through grade three with dyslexia -- Annual report -- Study project.
.310 Repealed, 1982.
.320 Repealed, 1982.
.330 Repealed, 1982.
.340 Repealed, 1982.
.350 Repealed, 1982.
.355 Repealed, 1990.
.360 Family literacy services.
.380 Repealed, 1990.
.385 Repealed, 1990.
.390 Repealed, 1990.
.395 Repealed, 1990.
.405 Repealed, 1990.
.410 Repealed, 1990.
.415 Repealed, 1990.
.420 Repealed, 1990.
.425 Repealed, 1990.
.430 Repealed, 1990.
.440 Legislative findings on school safety and order.
.441 Definitions for chapter.
.4410 State school security marshal, duties and responsibilities -- Marshal appointed by and reporting to the commissioner of the Department of Criminal Justice Training -- Annual report to the Center for School Safety, the Legislative Research Commission, and the Kentucky Board of Education -- School security risk assessment tool, purpose -- Areas considered when evaluating school security -- Annual verification of completion of state security risk assessment -- Additional mandatory training, when required.
.4412 Appointment of district's school safety coordinator -- School safety coordinator's functions and duties -- Policies and procedures excluded from application of KRS 61.870 to 61.884 -- Limitation of civil and criminal liability for school district, school safety coordinator, and school employees acting in good faith.
.4414 Cooperation of school personnel with local and state law enforcement agencies in efforts to assign certified school resource officers to each campus as funds and personnel become available -- Employment of guardians -- Memorandum of understanding between local boards of education and law enforcement agencies or the Kentucky State Police -- Policies and procedures stating the purpose of the school resource officer program and defining roles and expectations -- School resource officer to be armed with firearm -- Promulgation of administrative regulations establishing levels of training for certification of school resource officers -- Course curriculum, specifications for training requirements, and consequences for deficiencies in required training -- Officers to regain certification status upon completion of training deficiency -- Local school district superintendents to report annually to the Center for School Safety upon the number and placement of school resource officers in the district, source of funding, and methods of employment for each position.
.4415 Kentucky State Police school resource officer (KSPSRO), specifications for employment as a school resource officer by a school district -- When officer considered an employee of the school district and when an employee of the Kentucky State Police -- Duties and prohibited activities -- Funding of position -- Rights, privileges, immunities, and matters of defense protected.
.4416 Trauma-informed approach to education -- Definitions for section -- Goals for employment of school-based counselors -- School counselor or school-based mental health services provider to facilitate trauma-informed team -- Duties of team -- Training and guidance of school personnel to assist in recognizing and dealing with issues of student trauma -- Collaboration for provision of services between two or more school districts or between school districts and educational cooperatives, or other public or private entities -- Annual report to department of number and placement of school-based mental health service providers in each district, source of funding, summary of job duties, and percentage of time devoted to each duty -- Report required to Interim Joint Committee on Education -- Department of Education to make available toolkits to develop trauma-informed approach in schools -- Plan and strategies for implementing trauma-informed approach.
.4418 Annual report on trauma-informed approach plans and school-based mental health services -- Model interagency agreements.
.442 Center for School Safety -- Duties -- School safety coordinator training program -- Members of board -- Center for School Safety and its board of directors not subject to reorganization by the Governor.
.443 Terms of board members -- Meetings -- Selection of administrator for the center -- Duties of board of directors.
.4431 Employment of Kentucky guardians by local boards of education -- Qualifications -- Contents of required policies -- Civil and criminal immunity.
.4433 School Mapping Data Program -- Administration by Center for School Safety -- Required capabilities.
.444 Administrative regulations relating to school safety -- Role of Department of Education to maintain statewide data collection system -- Reportable incidents -- Annual statistical reports -- Confidentiality.
.445 Local assessment of school safety and school discipline -- District assessment -- Local plans.
.4451 Kentucky Office of Homeland Security shall make available an anonymous reporting tool to allow students, parents, and community members to supply information about potentially harmful, dangerous, or criminal activities to public safety agencies and school officials -- Required use of reporting tool or alternative by local school districts.
.446 Use of appropriated funds.
.4461 The General Assembly finds that private financial and philanthropic support of public school districts by all members of the community fosters student success, safety, and well-being -- The General Assembly encourages the organization of foundations under KRS Chapter 273 to support public school districts in any district for which no such foundation exists.
.447 Required review of CPTED principles prior to school construction or renovation.
.448 Protocols for student records within student information system.
.449 Annual report of assessment of disruptive behavior school incidents resulting in a complaint.
.450 Repealed, 1984.
.455 Repealed, 1984.
.460 Repealed, 1984.
.465 Repealed, 1984.
.470 Repealed, 1984.
.471 Local board of education authorized to establish police department for local school districts.
.473 Police officers appointed by local board of education -- Powers.
.475 Appointed police officers to comply with KRS 61.300 and other requirements set by the local board of education.
.477 Appointment or promotion to ranks, grades, and positions – Compensation -- Employment contract permitted.
.479 Emergency vehicles -- Radio systems -- Reporting.
.481 Authority of local board to regulate traffic and parking -- Fees -- Violations.
.483 Prohibition against false representation as police officer, agent, or employee of a police department of a local school district.
.505 Repealed, 1984.
.510 Repealed, 1984.
.515 Repealed, 1984.
.520 Repealed, 1984.
.525 Repealed, 1984.
.530 Repealed, 1984.
.535 Repealed, 1984.
.540 Repealed, 1984.
.545 Repealed, 1984.
.550 Repealed, 1984.
.600 Repealed, 1990.
.605 Repealed, 1990.
.607 Repealed, 1990.
.610 Repealed, 1990.
.615 Repealed, 1988.
.617 Repealed, 1988.
.618 Repealed, 1990.
.620 Repealed, 1990.
.622 Administrative regulations of Kentucky Board of Education relating to advanced placement courses -- Duties of Department of Education relating to advanced placement and dual enrollment programs -- Credit for Virtual High School and advanced placement courses.
.625 Deadline for training required under KRS 161.166.
.640 Repealed, 1990.
.6401 Repealed, 1990.
.6402 Repealed, 1990.
.6403 Repealed, 1990.
.645 Capacities required of students in public education system.
.6450 Instruction in voter registration and election procedures.
.6451 Legislative declaration on goals for Commonwealth's schools -- Model curriculum framework.
.6452 School Curriculum, Assessment, and Accountability Council.
.6453 Definitions -- Review of academic standards and assessments -- Revisions to content standards -- Review committees -- Advisory panels -- Standards and assessments process review committee -- Administrative regulations -- Information and training -- Statewide assessment program -- Academic components -- Student assessments -- College admissions examination -- School report card -- Individual student report -- Reviewing and revising academic standards -- Writing program -- School profile report.
.6454 Repealed, 2021.
.6455 School accountability system -- List of certifications, licensures, and credentials -- Reimbursement for assessment -- Consequences for schools that fail to exit support status -- Components of accountability system -- Appeals of performance judgments -- Report.
.6457 Definitions for KRS 158.6452, 158.6453, 158.6455, and 158.6457.
.6458 Plan for implementation of state assessment and accountability system -- Report.
.6459 Intervention strategies for accelerated learning -- Individualized learning plan -- Support and technical assistance.
.646 Kentucky Institute for Education Research Board.
.647 Education Assessment and Accountability Review Subcommittee -- Members -- Duties -- Vote required to act.
.6471 Meetings -- Education Assessment and Accountability Review Subcommittee, powers, process, and procedures when reviewing -- Assignment of regulation to committee -- Education committees, powers, process, and procedures when reviewing.
.6472 Review of administrative regulations.
.648 State Advisory Council for Gifted and Talented Education -- Purpose -- Duties.
.6485 Governor's School for Entrepreneurs Program -- Entrepreneurship education organization -- Advisory board -- Appropriations -- Accounting practices and program reports -- Restricted use of funds.
.649 Achievement gaps -- Data on student performance -- Policy for reviewing academic performance -- Student achievement targets -- Reporting requirements -- Review and revision of improvement plan.
.650 Repealed, 2017.
.660 Repealed, 1990.
.665 Repealed, 1990.
.670 Repealed, 1990.
.680 Repealed, 2017.
.683 Renumbered as KRS 158.646.
.685 Repealed, 2017.
.690 Repealed, 1990.
.700 Repealed, 1990.
.710 Repealed, 2017.
.720 Repealed, 1990.
.730 Repealed, 1990.
.740 Repealed, 1990.
.750 Repealed, 1990.
.760 School-to-Careers System -- Legislative intent -- Goals.
.7603 School-to-Careers Grant Program -- Authority for administrative regulations -- Advisory committee.
.770 Advisory committee on writing program.
.775 Writing program pilot project.
.780 Management improvement programs.
.782 Monitoring and review of turnaround plan -- Skilled assistance.
.785 Collection and review of management data -- Management audit -- Conditions for designation as state assisted or state managed district -- Actions required.
.790 Renumbered as KRS 151B.135.
.791 Legislative findings and intent regarding reading and mathematics.
.792 Definitions for KRS 158.792 and 164.0207 -- Reading diagnostic and intervention fund -- Grants for reading intervention programs -- Administrative regulations -- Use of grant funds -- Information and reports provided by Department of Education.
.794 Reading Diagnostic and Intervention Grant Steering Committee -- Membership -- Duties.
.795 Renumbered as KRS 151B.140.
.796 Governor's Scholars Program -- Purpose -- Governor's Scholars Program, Inc. -- Board of directors -- Funding -- Reports.
.797 Repealed, 1990.
.798 Program to encourage studies in mathematics, science, and related technologies -- Role of Kentucky Science and Technology Council, Inc.
.799 Name for program created by KRS 158.798.
.7991 Legislative findings and declarations.
.7992 Program to promote instruction in the arts and foreign languages.
.800 Repealed, 1990.
.801 Definitions for KRS 158.801 and 158.803.
.803 Early mathematics testing program -- Purposes -- Development and requirements of program -- Annual reports.
.805 Commonwealth school improvement fund -- Purposes -- Criteria for grants to schools needing assistance.
.806 Read to succeed fund -- Teacher professional learning academies -- Literacy coaching program.
.807 Data research initiative -- Purposes -- Implementation.
.808 Energy technology career track program.
.809 Virtual computer science career academy -- Development and requirements -- Annual reports.
.810 Definitions for KRS 158.810 to 158.816.
.812 Legislative intent, findings, and declarations.
.814 Comprehensive plan on secondary career and technical education programs -- Consultation with Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee.
.816 Annual statewide analysis and report of academic achievement of technical education students -- Assistance plan -- Occupation skill standards and assessments.
.818 Evidence-based instructional models to address needs of at-risk students -- Focus -- Components -- Training for high school teachers -- Incorporation into existing programs.
.830 Legislative findings -- Construction of KRS 158.830 to 158.836.
.832 Definitions for KRS 158.830 to 158.838.
.834 Self-administration of medications by students with asthma or anaphylaxis - Authorization -- Written statement -- Acknowledgment of liability limitation -- Duration of permission.
.836 Possession and use of asthma or anaphylaxis medications -- Students with documented life-threatening allergies -- Schools electing to keep epinephrine injectable epinephrine devices and bronchodilator rescue inhalers on premises -- Limitation of liability.
.838 Emergency administration and self-administration of diabetes and seizure disorder medications -- Required training -- Required written statements and seizure action plan -- Limitation on liability -- Renewal of permission -- Expiration dates of medication -- Self-performance of diabetes care tasks -- Diabetes or seizure disorder not to prevent attendance at school the student would ordinarily attend.
.840 Legislative findings and intent -- Importance of students' reading and mathematics skills in achieving scholastic goals -- Roles of statewide entities in improving student achievement.
.8401 Definitions for KRS 158.840 to 158.844.
.8402 Administrative regulations -- Multitiered system of supports for mathematics -- Implementation status report -- Technical assistance and training to local districts -- Requirements for superintendent of public charter school board of directors -- Mathematics diagnostic assessment -- Improvement plan and accelerated interventions -- Resources.
.842 Committee for Mathematics Achievement -- Membership, purposes, organization, staffing, and duties of committee -- Report to Interim Joint Committee on Education.
.843 Kentucky numeracy counts fund -- Uses -- Eligibility.
.844 Mathematics achievement fund -- Creation -- Use and disposition of moneys -- Administrative regulations -- Requirements for grant applicants -- Department to provide information to schools and to make annual report to Interim Joint Committee on Education.
.845 Definitions for KRS 158.845 to 158.849.
.846 Legislative findings concerning academic achievement in STEM disciplines.
.847 Science and mathematics advancement fund -- Purposes -- Administrative regulations.
.848 Grant programs concerning STEM disciplines and AP and IB courses.
.849 Long-term statewide goals concerning STEM disciplines and AP and IB course participation.
.850 Limitation on sale of retail fast foods in school cafeteria.
.852 School food service director or menu planner -- Credentials and certificates -- Continuing education.
.854 Administrative regulation specifying minimum nutritional standards for foods sold outside school lunch programs -- Restrictions upon sale of certain foods and beverages -- Waiver -- Definitions -- Exceptions.
.856 Annual assessment and evaluation of school nutrition in district -- Special board meeting and public forum to discuss nutrition and physical activity in the schools -- School district to prepare and submit findings and recommendations to Board of Education.
.860 Examination upon completion of core content course.
.865 Legislative findings -- Development of summer learning program encouraged -- Purposes of program.
.866 Definitions for KRS 158.865 to 158.867.
.867 Minimum requirements for summer learning camps at schools with certain Title I programs -- Mandatory reports -- Student participation guidelines -- Teacher compensation -- Summary annual reports.
.990 Penalties.