Kentucky Military Legislation & Policies

Latest Status

State Exemption for Military-Certified Family Child Care Homes: Kentucky Governor Signed Final Legislation

Demographic Data

State residents include:

15,639 active-duty service members
6,390 active-duty spouses
13,675 active-duty children
- 8,007 children in K-12
18,627 National Guard and reserve members
6,750 National Guard and reserve spouses
10,969 National Guard and reserve children
- 7,048 children in K-12

Data source: DMDC, Dec. 31, 2025

Samantha Sliney

Southeast Regional Liaison

Southeast Region

AL, FL, GA, KY, NC, SC, TN

EMAIL

Ms. Sliney became Southeastern region liaison in 2024. Prior to joining the DSLO, she served as an attorney advisor for the Joint Special Operations Command and, for 10 years prior to that, as an active-duty judge advocate in the Air Force. Ms. Sliney currently serves as a JAG in the New Jersey Air National Guard. She is an Army military spouse and graduate of the North Carolina Central University School of Law.

State-Specific Progress on State Policy Priorities and Sub-Priorities

See the latest status on legislation and policies being advanced in this state on state policy priorities important to military families. Find quick access to this state’s regional liaison, along with demographic data for the military community in this state.

Occupational Licensure Interstate Compacts12/19 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Compact

Athletic Trainer Compact

03/03/2026HB 36

03/31/2026HB 36

04/06/2026

Athletic Trainer Compact Final Legislation

This bill enacts the Athletic Trainer Compact, the Dietician Licensure Compact and the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Audiology/Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact

03/04/2021HB 39

02/22/2021SB 47

03/18/2021

Audiology/Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact Final Legislation

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 334A.010 to enact and enter into the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Cosmetology Licensure Compact

03/14/2023S 57

03/03/2023S 57

03/22/2023

Cosmetology Licensure Compact Final Legislation

Cosmetology Interstate Licensure Compact

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Dental and Dental Hygienist Compact

Dietitian Licensure Compact

03/03/2026HB 36

03/31/2026HB 36

04/06/2026

Dietitian Licensure Compact Final Legislation

This bill enacts the Athletic Trainer Compact, the Dietician Licensure Compact and the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Emergency Medical Services Licensure Compact

Esthetics Licensure Compact

Interstate Compact for School Psychologists

Interstate Massage Therapy Compact

Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact

03/30/2023H 319

03/08/2023H 319

03/31/2023

Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact Final Legislation

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 161 to implement the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Licensed Professional Counseling Compact

02/14/2022HB 65

03/29/2022HB 65

04/08/2022

Licensed Professional Counseling Compact Final Legislation

Establishes membership in the Licensed Professional Counselor Interstate Compact.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Nurse Licensure Compact

03/21/2017

Nurse Licensure Compact Final Legislation

Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact

03/23/2022HB 213

03/30/2022HB 213

04/08/2022

Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact Final Legislation

Establishes membership in the Occupational Therapist Licensure Interstate Compact.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Physical Therapy Licensure Compact

03/21/2017

Physical Therapy Licensure Compact Final Legislation

Kentucky becomes a member state in the Physical Therapy Licensing Compact

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Physician Associates Compact

Respiratory Care Interstate Compact

03/03/2026HB 36

03/31/2026HB 36

04/06/2026

Respiratory Care Interstate Compact Final Legislation

This bill enacts the Athletic Trainer Compact, the Dietician Licensure Compact and the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact

02/09/2021HB 38

03/05/2021HB 38

03/18/2021

Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact Final Legislation

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 319 to enact and enter into the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Social Work Licensure Compact

03/28/2024HB 56

02/27/2024HB 56

04/05/2024

Social Work Licensure Compact Final Legislation

Create a new section within KRS Chapter 335.010 to 335.170 to declare the purpose of the Social Work Licensure Compact; define terms; and set requirements

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Military Spouse Employment Preference1/3 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Employment Preference - Private Sector

Employment Preference - Public Sector

03/26/2019

Employment Preference - Public Sector Final Legislation

HB338 expanded existing hiring preferences to include current service members, veterans, and their spouses, surviving spouses and dependent parents.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Employment Preference - Procurement

Military Clause in State Family Leave Laws0/2 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Military Exigency in Paid Family Leave

Military Exigency in Unpaid Family Leave

License Issuance and Reporting Uniformity

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Solutions for Military Homeschoolers1/3 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Streamline Requirements

07/13/1990

Streamline Requirements Final Legislation

In Kentucky, homeschools are legally treated as private schools and must comply with state reporting requirements. Within the first two weeks of the school year, a home school family must report the names, ages, and places of residence of all children in the homeschool to the superintendent of the local school district. This annual report ensures you are compliant with Kentucky's compulsory attendance laws.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Ensure Extracurricular Access

Clarify JROTC Eligibility

State Exemption for Military-Certified Family Child Care Homes

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

02/17/2026HB 6

03/31/2026HB 6

04/14/2026

State Exemption for Military-Certified Family Child Care Homes Final Legislation

Kentucky HB 6 establishes a 2-year military childcare pilot program that exempts Department of War-certified family childcare providers that reside off-base from redundant state licensing requirements. The pilot begins 1 July 2026.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

State Support of Military Families with Special Education Needs

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Education Policy Implementation Enhancements0/4 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Advance Enrollment Enhancements

Military Student Identifier Enhancements

Education Compact Enhancements

Purple Star Schools Program Enhancements

Open Enrollment Flexibility

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

03/24/2020

Open Enrollment Flexibility Final Legislation

Amend KRS 159.075 to include parents or guardians who are transferring to a reserve component or separating from the military under honorable conditions; include a home under contract to be built as a qualifying residence; allow qualifying students to temporarily reside outside of district if the housing is unavailable and be included in the attending district's average daily attendance.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Concurrent Juvenile Jurisdiction

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

State Response to Military Interpersonal Violence0/2 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Enhance Information-Sharing

Allow Military Protective Orders as Evidence

Status and Demographic Content

State Details

Regional Liaison

Other Content

Map Legend

State Policy Priorities 2027

Status and Demographic Content

State Details

Regional Liaison

Other Content

Map Legend

State Policy Priorities 2027

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