Kentucky Commission on
Military Affairs

Military and Veteran Friendly Legislation

2024 Military-Veterans Legislation Bill Tracker FINAL.pdf (through session end, April 15, 2024)

2023 Military-Veterans Legislation Bill Tracker Kentucky General Assembly.pdf

POLICIES AND BENEFITS

Economic Development

Built-to-Suit Lease supporting Defense-Related Business Growth

Enhances defense-related business growth by allowing the KY Commissioner of the Dept for Facilities Management, on behalf of the Dept for Military Affairs, to award a built-to-suit lease. (KRS Chapter 45A)

Education (K-12)

Military Service Excused Absences

Allow any high school student participating in basic training required by a branch of United States Armed Forces to be considered present for all purposes for up to ten days. (KRS 159.035)

K-12 Students of Civilian-Military Employees Equal Education Rights

Provides students of civilian-military employees the same rights as students of military families if the parents are required to move to perform their job responsibilities, resulting in the students changing schools. (KRS Chapter 156; 156.730)

Pre-Enrollment for K-12 Students

Allows military children whose families are transferring to Kentucky on official orders to be pre-enrolled in a school district before obtaining a permanent address. Allows for remote enrollment. (KRS Chapter 159)

Students Excused Absences to Visit Military Parent on Leave Deployment

Permits excused absences for up to twelve days to visit a parent or legal guardian serving in the US military, stationed out of the country, and on leave granted by the military. (KRS 159.035)

Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children
Students of civilian-military employees shall be afforded the same rights as students of military families if the parents are required to move to perform their job responsibilities resulting in the students having to change schools. Includes the National Guard, Reserve and DOD employees. (KRS 156.730)

Awards High School Diploma to Veterans of World War II, Korean, or Vietnam Conflict

Requires the Kentucky Board of Education to promulgate an administrative regulation establishing the guidelines for use by local boards of education when awarding a high school diploma to any honorably discharged veteran who was enrolled in, but did not complete, high school prior to being inducted into the United States Armed Forces during World War II, as defined in KRS 40.010, or the Korean conflict as defined in KRS 40.010, or in Vietnam prior to 5 August 1964. This administrative regulation establishes the requirements for awarding a high school diploma to those World War II, Korean, Vietnam conflict veterans. Apply here!

Educational Excellence Scholarship Awards

Permits a student attending an out-of-state high school while parents are serving in US military, and who maintains KY as their home of record to qualify for KY educational excellence scholarship awards. (KRS 164.7879)

High Schools Must Grant Student Access and Information

Requires KY high schools to provide access to campuses and student directory information for official recruiting of US Armed Forces, KY Air National Guard, and KY Army National Guard. (KRS 160.725)

Kentucky Purple Star Schools Program

Voluntary program managed through the Commission on Military Affairs with the assistance of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services and the Department of Education to enable K-12 schools to train and support counseling capabilities and programs for military connected students. (KRS Chapter 160)

Family Support

Adoption Assistance

Establishes the KY National Guard Adoption Assistance Program to allow money in the military family assistance trust fund for adoption assistance. (KRS Chapter 36; KRS 36.474)

National Guard Life Insurance Program
Outstanding family benefits program operated by the National Guard Association of Kentucky; placed under the control and protection of the Adjutant General (KRS Chapter 38)

National Guard Youth Challenge Program

Aligns the Kentucky National Guard Youth Challenge Program for challenged teens with high school requirements in coordination with the Kentucky Department of Education. (KRS Chapter 36)

Uniform Deployed Parents Custody and Visitation Act
Adopted national standard for military parent protection during deployments. (KRS Chapter 43A)

Military Family Assistance Trust Fund
Grants eligibility to military personnel and their families through military family assistance trust funding 180 days after the end of deployment; administrative authority provided by KY Dept Veterans Affairs. (KRS 36.474; 106 KAR 2:020; Trust Fund established in 2006)

Military Spouse Unemployment Benefits

Prohibits disqualification for unemployment benefits for a worker who leaves the job to follow a military spouse who has been reassigned to another military base or duty location 100 miles or more from the worker's home. (KRS 341.370)

Kentucky National Guard Welcome Home Program

Creates a welcome home program to ensure a supportive community for returning National Guard on active duty.

Child Custody Decree Modifications Temporary While Deployed

Creates a court-ordered modification of a child custody decree based the active duty of a parent or custodian deployed outside the US temporary until the end of the deployment. (KRS 403.340)

Veteran's Personal Loan Program

Establishes a veteran loan program up to $10,000 & 10 years for honorable or general discharge. May be used by widow, spouse or Children. (KRS 40.650)

Death Benefits

Creates a death benefit of $80,000, paid by KY for the family of a member of the National Guard or Reserve who dies on federal active duty.

Veterans' Program Trust Fund

Established the Veterans Program Trust Fund to be managed by Ky Dept Veterans Affairs directing funding to projects and programs that help KY Veterans for which other funds are not available. (KRS 40.310(3); 40.450)

Flag

Flag to be manufactured in the US

Requires any POW/MIA flag purchased or displayed by a public institution be manufactured in the US. (See KRS Chapter 2)

US Flag, POW/MIA Flag at Highway Rest Areas

Requires KY Department of Highways to display the US flag, KY flag, POW/MIA flag at all highway rest areas. (See KRS Chapter 176)

Flag Program of Instruction Required

Requires KY Board of Education to develop flag programs of instruction to elementary and secondary schools. (See KRS 158.175)

Flag Next to Newspaper Obituary

Permits newspapers to publish a picture of US flag next to the obituary of a deceased active member or honorably discharged veteran of US military. (See KRS 2.050)

Government Operations

Uniform Military and Overseas Voting

Improves military access to voting by allowing military and overseas citizens to register to vote and update their registration online, ensuring that military and overseas voters have sufficient time to vote in special elections and extend existing protections to state and local elections and National Guard members. Allowing voting ballots to be transmitted to the military via the Internet, but not returned electronically; Creating a task force to consider other improvements to military and overseas voting procedures. (KRS Chapter 117A)

Kentucky a Purple Heart State

Declares a formal recognition and honor for those Kentuckians who have been wounded or killed in the service of our country be being engaged in combat with an enemy force while protecting our freedom.

Kentucky Code of Military Justice

Updates the KY National Guard's KCMJ- based on the national Model State Code of Military Justice that was developed by the National Guard Bureau, modified to comply with the Constitution of the Commonwealth of KY. (created 1954/updated 1986, 2016; KRS Chapter 35)

Child Abuse Case Reporting to Military Installations

Requires the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to determine the military status of any parent or guardian subject to an investigation and to notify a Department of Defense family advocacy program of an investigation involving a member of the U.S. Armed Forces (KRS Chapter 620)

Higher Education

Maintaining post-secondary education residency

Allows service members, spouses, and dependents who are accepted to or enrolled in a Kentucky public post-secondary institution to keep residency status if the service member is required to move on official orders

Tuition waivers for US Reserve Component

Allow public universities to offer in-state tuition to members of any United States Reserve Component. (KRS 164.2844)

In-State Tuition Waivers for Kentucky National Guard

Allows Kentucky public universities to charge in-state tuition to any active member of the Kentucky National Guard. (KRS 164.2844)

Tuition waivers for United States Military Reserve Component

Allows KY public universities to charge in-tuition to members of any United States Reserve component. (KRS 164.2844)

Protection for Earned KEES Funding

Allows students forced to transfer from a Kentucky school due to military service to return to Kentucky and use their earned KEES funding from prior years. (KRS 164.7844)

Tuition waivers for adopted children who serve in the military

Extends the five-year tuition waiver eligibility period for adopted children who serve in the military if military service proceeds attending higher education institution. (KRS 164.2847)

Tuition Benefit for Non-KY Residents on Post 9/11 GI Bill

Allows KY public universities to charge in-state tuition to veterans who are non-KY residents if that veteran qualifies under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. (KRS Chapter 164; 164.020(8))

Tuition Exemption Spouse & Children of Deceased, Disabled, POW/MIA

Allows a tuition and fee waiver to a spouse or student under the age of 26 of a permanently deceased KY veteran, disabled Guard member, war veteran, POW or MIA for state-supported colleges, universities or vocational training schools. (KRS 164.507; 164.515)

Tuition Waiver for Disabled Child of Veteran

Allows child of a veteran who acquired a disability as a direct result of veteran's service receive a tuition waiver at state-supported university, college, or vocational training institute. (KRS 164.512)

Exemption from Matriculation or Tuition Fee

Exempts dependents, widow, or widower of members of the Armed Forces or of members of the National Guard killed while in service or having died as a result of a service-connected disability or having died as a result of a service-connected disability. (KRS 164.505)

Students Called to State Active Duty

Requires a student called to federal military active duty shall not be discriminated against for absence and credit with academic work accomplished and given reasonable time to make up work. Expands (KRS 38.470)

KY National Guard Tuition Award Program

Allows Guard members in good standing pay tuition up to in-state, rather than full-time tuition rate. (KRS 164.5169; 10 6 KAR 3:010)

Housing

Property Valuation Exemption

Exempts Veterans of the US Armed Forces with a one hundred percent service-connected disability from having to file paperwork with Property Valuation Administrators annually. (KRS 132.810)

Housing Grants

Provides KY Housing Corporation grants to reduce principal and interest payments on a mortgage or rental payable by Guard or Reserve member with KY Home of Record during member's deployment on active duty outside of the country. Requires KY DMA to provide spouses with website tools such as educational, technical and ombudsman services to maintain mortgage during federal active duty. (KRS 198A.040; 36.480; 36.478)

Motor Vehicle Licensing

Exempt military in Kentucky from the state driver's license requirement
Exempts the KY operator's license requirement for a member of the Armed Forces of the United States, their spouse. and dependent child who hold a valid driver's license from another state when they are assigned to KY but maintain a permanent residence elsewhere. (KRS 186.430)

Veteran Designation on Operator Licenses and Personal Identification Cards
Adds a veteran designation on KY operator's licenses and identification cards; requiring an applicant to present an original or copy of his or her DD-214 form. (KRS 186.412; KRS 186.041)

Specialty License Plates
Kentucky specialty license plates include Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Air Force Cross, Silver Star, Bronze Star (with and without valor), Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, Combat Action Badge, Combat Infantry Badge (KRS 186.164)

Drivers Licensing for 17 Year-Olds Enlisted in Military

Exempts 17-year olds who have enlisted in the military from the requirement to obtain an intermediate license. (KRS 186.400 to 186.650, 186.412, 186.450, 186.452, 186.454)

Commercial Driver's License

Waiver of the commercial driver's skill test for military service members who have recent experience operating commercial-sized motor vehicles. (KRS 281A & 281A.130)

Professional Licensing

Reciprocity under the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact
DOD priority compact recognizing the rights and conditions of qualified school teachers. (KRS Chapter 161)

Reciprocity under the Cosmetology Licensure Compact
DOD priority compact recognizing the rights and conditions of licensed cosmetology professionals. (KRS Chapter 64)

Reciprocity under the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact
DOD priority compact recognizing the rights and conditions of a psychologist licensed in the compact to practice telepsychology. (KRS Chapter 319)

Reciprocity under the Licensed Professional Counseling Compact
DOD priority compact recognizing the a multistate licensure right to practice for Lincensed Professional counselors. (KRS Chapter 127)

Reciprocity under the Occupational Therapist Compact
DOD priority compact recognizing the rights and conditions of licensed occupational therapists. (KRS Chapter 164)

Reciprocity under the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact
DOD priority compact recognizing a multistate licensure privilege to practice for audiologists and speech-language pathologists. (KRS Chapter 334A.010)

Reciprocity under the Nurse Licensure Compact
DOD priority compact recognizing the rights and conditions of licensed nurses. (KRS Chapter 314)

Reciprocity under the Social Work Licensure Compact
DOD priority compact recognizing the rights and conditions of social workers. (KRS Chapter 335, passed March 2024)

Application of military service toward the licensing of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning professionals

Applies military experience toward obtaining a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning license and allows a 60-day grace period after the expiration of the license for the licensee to continue to practice and apply for renewal. (KRS 198B.664)

Provisional Teaching Certificate

Allows a veteran with a bachelor's degree in any area to be issued a provisional teaching certificate if other criteria are met. (KRS 161.010)

Occupational License Reciprocity

Service members, veterans, and their spouses can easily transfer their out-of-state professional licenses to Kentucky, in alignment with (and beyond) the federal Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. (KRS 12.245)

Certification for Military Training and Service to Firefighter

Develops procedures for accepting military training and service toward firefighter certification. (KRS Chapter 95A)

Reciprocity for Emergency Medical Technician

Directs the Board of Emergency Medical Services to allow direct reciprocity for initial KY certification as an emergency medical technician for members of the US military. (KRS Chapter 311A)

Automatic Extension of Professional Licensure and Certification

Grants any professional license or certificate renewal without payment of fees or obtaining continuing education to active duty military personnel. (KRS Chapter 12)

Military Spouse Professional Licensure and Certification

Grants any professionally licensed or certified spouse of active duty military personnel transferred to KY issued a six-month temporary license. (KRS Chapter 12)

Military Spouse Assistance

Assist spouse of military personnel obtaining professional and occupational licenses by posting information on KY DMA website. All state agencies and credentialing boards shall assist KY DMA. (KRS 36.480)

Continuing Education Requirements Exempted for Licensed Engineers

Grants waiver during Armed Forces deployments on continuing education requirements for engineer licenses. (KRS 322.160)

Alternative Teacher Certification

Creates an alternative teaching certification for veterans of Armed Forces to teach elementary, secondary and secondary vocational educational education levels. (KRS 161.048)

Public Employees

Veterans Preference for Position in Urban-County Governments

Requires employing urban-county governments to expand civil service hiring preference to include veterans who served during the Persian Gulf War, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom. (KRS 67A.240)

Veterans Preference for Positions in State Governments

Requires employing state agencies to offer an interview to all eligible veteran and spouse of veteran finalists (no more than 5) entitled to preference pts (KRS 18A.150)

Interview Preference for Spouses

Extends interview preference for state employment opportunities to spouses and dependants of service members and veterans if they meet the minimum requirements

TRICARE supplement insurance for public employees

Requires the Personnel Cabinet to offer TRICARE supplement insurance to eligible TRICARE insurance beneficiaries in 2009 if not preempted by federal law or regulation. (NOW PROHIBITED BY FEDERAL LAW)

State Employees Excused One Day for Deployments & One Day for Returned Spouses

Authorizes spouse of an active service member, including the National Guard or Reserve members on active duty orders, (1) day off paid leave upon deployment and (1) day off upon returns from deployment. (KRS 18A.190)

Military Leave for State Employees

Grants 21 days annually to include employees of state, counties, cities, school districts. (KRS 61.394; 61.396 Personnel Memo 06-16)

Teachers, Principals etc. Benefits during Deployment

Permits a Board of Education to provide a leave of absence to a member of a state National Guard or a Reserve component ordered to active duty. (KRS 161.168; 161.507 (4) (b))

Purchase Service Credit for Military Time in Retirement Systems

Permits vested employee may purchase one month of credit for every six months served in the National Guard or Reserves. Similar provisions for teachers’ retirement system. (KERS, CERS KRS 61.555; KRS 6.515 (2) Judicial KRS 21.370(4) (A) (2) Teachers KRS 161.507)

Hunting and Weapons Licensing

Concealed Deadly Weapon Licensing Training Requirements Waived

Allows honorably discharged veterans to waive training requirements for a concealed deadly weapons license with proper documentation.

Concealed Carry License

Allows military firearms training to meet the firearms training requirement to obtain a concealed carry license. (KRS 237.110)

Hunting & Fishing License Exemption on any Military Property

Exempts any member of the US Armed Forces based in KY from having to obtain a hunting or fishing license on any military property belonging to KY. (KRS 150.170)

Concealed Deadly Weapon Licensing Extension

Extends concealed deadly weapon licensing without late fees or other penalties for military personnel within 90 days after the end of a deployment. (KRS 36.450; 237.110)

Tax and Financial

Veterans Service Organization’s (VSO) Property Tax Exemption
Passed in the 2021 Kentucky General Assembly, applies to qualifying VSOs. (See KRS 132.010)

Prohibition of patriot penalties in insurance
Prohibits insurers from refusing to issue a policy of motor vehicle liability insurance, or imposing an additional premium, solely because the person is uninsured if, during the period the person was without insurance, the person was on military service and absent from the Commonwealth; require insurers to inquire about military service upon application for insurance; provide penalties for insurers who demonstrate a willful pattern of noncompliance. (KRS Chapter 304, Subtitle 20)

Discharge Papers Recorded with County Clerk
Requires discharge papers recorded with the county clerk shall not be public records subject to public disclosure. (See KRS 422.090)

Notaries Public Fee Exemption

Remove fee exemptions for members of the National Guard, Reserve, Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard. (KRS 64.300)

Probate Fee Exemption

Exempts estate probate fees for any regular member of the Armed Forces. (KRS 61.315)

Tax Increment Financing Provisions for Project Developments Surround Military Base

Provides tax increment financing for mixed-use development located within three miles of a military base that houses, deploys, or employs any combination of at least twenty-five thousand military personnel, their families, military retirees or civilian employees. (KRS 65.7051 & 65.7053)

Property Tax Exemption for Service-Connected Total Disabled Veteran

Provides homestead exemption on an annual basis for a service-connected totally disabled veteran. (KRS 132.810)

Kentucky State Park Overnight Accommodations Rate Exempted

Exempts overnight accommodations rate at any KY State Park for KY veteran residents who are permanently and totally disabled (KRS Chapter 148)

Guard Member Injured on State Active Duty

Requires Guard Members temporary or permanently disabled as a direct result of an injury or disease arising out of the performance of an act in the line of duty as a result of state active duty, at the discretion of the Governor, remain on paid state active duty status until a competent medical authority releases them to return to their normal activities or the Governor deems it appropriate to relieve the individual from state active duty status. (KRS 38.030)

Military Pay Exempt from State Income Tax

Provides a military pay exemption from KY income tax received by active duty, reserve components of Armed Forces and member of National Guard, including compensation for state active duty. (KRS 141.010 (10) (u))

Tax Credit for Membership in Guard

Approves an additional $20 credit if a member of KY National Guard on the last day of the calendar year. (KRS 141.020 (3) (L))

Military Retirements Partially Exempt Kentucky Income tax

Excludes up to $41,110 of total distributions from pensions, annuities, profit sharing, retirement or employee savings plans. (KRS 141.021)

Auto Insurance Discount Military Defense Driving Course

Approves insurance reduction for military members who take a defensive driving class from US Armed Forces.

Motorcycle Endorsement for Operator's License

Allows military personnel stationed outside Kentucky to submit documentation to obtain a motorcycle endorsement on an existing operator's license through mail or electronically (KRS 186.416)

State Income Tax Exemption Death on Line of Duty

Excludes all income from all sources for active duty and reserve members killed in the line of duty, for the year during occurred and the year prior. Specifically exempts all federal and state death benefits payable to the estate or any beneficiaries from state income tax. (KRS 141.010)

Birth & Death Certificate Copies Fees Waived for Within 60 Days of Deployment

Require state registrar to furnish birth and death certificates for free under certain circumstances for current and past members of Armed Forces and Kentucky NG (KRS 213.141)

Income Tax Return Extension for Service in Combat Zone

Extends state income tax filing for service in a combat zone without penalty. (KRS Chapter 141.175)

Compensation for State Active Duty

Receives pay at the same rate as active duty Armed Forces. (KRS 383.205)

Veterans

Bowling Green Veterans Center funding

Allocated $16,630,000 in State Fiscal Years 2022-2023 to the construction of the Bowling Green Veterans Center nursing home

No State Residency Requirement for Veterans Cemeteries

Intent is to support veterans from surrounding states and with Kentucky ties (KRS 40.315)

Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day

Designates March 30 of each year as Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day in KY. (KRS Chapter 2)

Disabled Veteran-Owned Business

Provides for a disabled veteran-owned business certification program and requires the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity and Contract Compliance to establish guidelines for the certification program and application process. (KRS Chapter 42)

Veteran at Risk Alert

Adds a veteran at risk to those included in a "Golden Alert"; allowing any agency searching for a veteran at risk to refer to the "Golden Alert" as a "Green Alert"

Disposition of the Military Descendant’s Remains

Allows the person designation by the descendant on the US DoD Record of Emergency Data, DD Form 93, or its successor form, to have authority and responsibility for the disposition of the military decedent's remains. (KRS Chapter 36)

Congressional Medal of Honor Recipients

Creation of plaque honoring KY Congressional Medal of Honor recipients. (KRS Chapter 42)

Protection of Medal of Honor Recipients

Requires the Department of Kentucky State Police to provide personal protection to Medal of Honor recipients who are Kentucky residents attending any public event or ceremony to which they have received an invitation Creation of plaque honoring KY Congressional Medal of Honor recipients. (KRS Chapter 42)

Pretrial Screening Combat Veterans

Requires pretrial investigations and services to ask whether an individual has been in combat and, if so, provide contact information to services available for combat veterans; and an opportunity to connect with Kentucky NG Family Services program. (KRS 431.515)

Kentucky National Guard Benefit Program for Returned Deployment, Physical & Mental

Institutes a program to assist KY National Guard members returning from deployment overseas with physical and mental conditions. Costs shared by Kentucky NG and KDVA. (KRS Chapter 40)

Kentucky Medal for Freedom

Establishes the KY Medal for Freedom award for soldiers killed on or after 7 October 2001, who had ties to KY. Per amendment Year 2013, eligibility criteria was broadened to allow members of the US Armed Forces Active Duty, a state National Guard, or a Reserve Component who were buried in KY on or after July 15, 2008, and have a surviving spouse, parent, or next available family member who is a KY resident. The KY Dept Veterans Affairs manages the program and receives funds from the Veterans' Program Trust Fund. (KRS 40.353)

Kentucky Wounded or Disabled Veterans Program

Establishes the KY Wounded or Disabled Veterans Program within the KY Dept Veterans Affairs to ease the transition from active service for wounded or disabled veterans and ensure they receive federal, state, and private benefits to which they are entitled. (KRS Chapter 40)

Criminalize Disorderly Conduct at Funeral

Requires military burial rights to be distributed and criminalizes disorderly conduct at a funeral. (KRS 213.076; 525.055)

Military Burial Honors

Establishes a burial honor guard program for veteran's funerals. (KRS Chapter 40)

Indigent Veteran's Burial Program

Establishes an Indigent Veteran's Burial Program. (KRS Chapter 40)

State Veteran Cemeteries

Requires the KY Department of Veterans Affairs to establish and maintain state veteran cemeteries. (KRS Chapter 36)

Kentucky Retired Veterans Day

Designates July 1 of each year as KY Retired Veteran's Day (KRS Chapter 2)

Miscellaneous

Kentucky Urban Search & Rescue Program

Established in 2023 under the Department of Military Affairs' Division of Emergency Management, creating a state capability to ensure rapid response versus reaching out to neighboring states for support (KRS Chapter 39A)

Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses

Requires the Finance and Administration Cabinet to set aside a minimum of 3% of the value of all state contracts for good and services for service-disabled-veteran-owned small businesses. (KRS Chapter 45A)

Employment at Veterans' Nursing Homes

Permit the Executive Director of the Office of Kentucky Veterans' Centers to contract to hire licensed nursing staff at the state veterans' nursing homes and exempt nursing contracts from the definition of "personal service contracts". (KRS Chapter 45A)

Student Loan Repayment for Nurses

Creates a student loan repayment program for registered nurses and licensed practical nurses who will be employed by the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs

Death-in-the-Line-of-Duty Benefits

Requires the Department of Military Affairs to promulgate administrative regulations establishing the criteria and procedures applicable to the administration of death-in-the-line-of-duty benefits, including but not limited to defining which National Guard or Reserve Component administration of death-in-the-line-of-duty benefits, including but not limited to defining which National Guard or Reserve Component members qualify for coverage and which circumstances constitute death in the line of duty. (KRS 61.315)

Military Spouse Unemployment Benefits

Prohibits disqualification for unemployment benefits for a worker who leaves a job to follow a military spouse who has been reassigned to another military base or duty location that is 100 miles or more from the worker's home.

Termination or suspension of select services without fees

Allows service members who receive orders requiring relocation (for a minimum of 90 days) to terminate or suspend select services without penalty fees or proper notice

Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day

Designate March 30 as Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day in the Commonwealth. (KRS Chapter 2)

World War One Centennial Day

Designate April 6, 2017, as the World War One Centennial Day throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Federal Peace Officers

Grants Kentucky peace officer powers to the United States Mint Police under specified conditions. (KRS 61.365)

Right to Drill or Parade with Arms

Permits veteran service organizations and reenactment participants to drill or parade with arms. (KRS 38.440)

Stolen Valor

Establishes the offense of misuse of military status and makes it a Class A misdemeanor when used for the purpose of direct or indirect monetary gain, and with intent to defraud, obtain employment, or be elected or appointed to public office. (KRS 434.444)

Armed Forces Protected from Dishonest Insurance Marketing and Sales Practices

Authorizes regulations to protect service members of the US Armed Forces from dishonest insurance marketing and sales practices. (See KRS Chap 304)

Korean War Armistice Day July 27 each year. (KRS Chapter 2)

Kentucky National Guard Day June 24th each year. (KRS 2.155)

Liability Insurance on State Active Duty

Authorizes The Adjutant General to purchase liability insurance for members called to state active duty. (See KRS 38.490)

Employer Must Grant Military Leave

Requires employer must grant leave for National Guard active duty or training. Re-employment rights. (See KRS 38.238)

Legal Representation against Guard Members or Businesses

Grants Attorney General representation for Guard member on duty who does any act in line of duty causing civil court action. (KRS 38.240)

Peace Officer Powers

Entitles Guard members on state active duty deemed peace officers if Governor specifies in executive order. (KRS 38.480 (1)

Guard Members Exempted From Tolls

Permits going to or returning from authorized duty in uniform or written order. (KRS 38.430; 600 KAR 2:020)

Immunity from Arrest on State Active Duty

Immunity from Guard member arrested, except in case of a felony, going to, at, or returning from state active duty. (KRS 38.480 (2)

No Discrimination against Guard Members or Businesses

Prohibits depriving a Guard member employment or obstruct business or profession based on Guard membership or prevent from enlisting by threatening job action. (See KRS 38.460)

Need more information?

Visit our Resources page or browse the Kentucky Legislative Research Committee's KRS database.

​​​​​​​​Military and Veteran Friendly Legislation

Kentucky General Assembly Military and Veterans Legislation

2024 Military-Veterans Legislation Bill Tracker FINAL.pdf (through session end, April 15, 2024)

POLICIES AND BENEFITS

​Economic Development

Need more information?

Military and Veteran Friendly Legislation

Economic Development