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Read. Follow. Verify.Kentucky HB 762 reorganizes public advocacy duties, sets attorney salary floors, and adjusts probation terms
Last action · April 13, 2026: signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 136)Sponsors: Stephanie Dietz and 2 others
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What This Bill Does
Kentucky HB 762 restructures the Department of Public Advocacy's responsibilities, mandates a minimum starting salary of $67,500 for its attorneys by September 16, 2026, and establishes new reporting and supervision rules for criminal justice and alternative sentencing. The measure amends various statutes related to public defense, court costs, and probation revocations.
defendants, individuals with disabilities, and court-involved juveniles face modified rights to legal representation, while state public defenders receive guaranteed pay increases and new job classifications.
- The Department of Public Advocacy operates as Kentucky's state-sponsored public defender system, providing legal representation to indigent persons accused of crimes. context
- The Kentucky General Assembly enacts statutory changes governing criminal procedure, court costs, and state agency administration. context
Who It Affects
Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Department of Public Advocacy Attorneys
Attorneys receive a new classification series, guaranteed minimum starting salaries of at least $67,500, and a 10% compensation increase or salary floor adjustment upon reallocation.
Indigent Defendants
Eligible individuals accused of serious crimes or status offenses are entitled to state-provided representation, investigative services, and court cost waivers.
Probationers
Individuals placed on probation or conditional discharge are subject to clarified supervision caps, tolling rules for active warrants, and restrictions on court-ordered incarceration costs.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum starting salary for Department of Public Advocacy attorneys under HB 762?
What are the maximum supervision periods for probation under the updated law?
Are public defenders allowed to accept outside fees from clients?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Current status: Signed into law.
Procedural history
12 actions- Apr 13, 2026HouseEnrolledsigned by Governor (Acts Ch. 136)
- Apr 1, 2026HouseEnrolledHouse concurred in Committee Substitute (1), Floor Amendment (1) and Floor Amendment (2-title) passed 86-0 enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House enrolled, signed by President of the Senate delivered to Governor
- Mar 31, 2026HouseFloorposted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Tuesday, March 31 2026 3rd reading, passed 37-0 with Committee Substitute (1), Floor Amendment (1) and Floor Amendment (2-title) received in House to Rules (H) posted for passage for concurrence in Senate Committee Substitute (1), Floor Amendment (1) and Floor Amendment (2-title)
- Mar 27, 2026HouseFloor2nd reading, to Rules
- Mar 26, 2026Housereported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute (1) floor amendment (1) filed to Committee Substitute , floor amendment (2-title) filed to bill
- Mar 24, 2026SenateCommitteeto Judiciary (S)
Show 6 earlier actions
- Mar 9, 2026SenateIntroducedreceived in Senate to Committee on Committees (S)
- Mar 6, 2026HouseFloor3rd reading, passed 91-0 with Floor Amendment (1)
- Mar 5, 2026HouseFloor2nd reading, to Rules posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Friday, March 06 2026
- Mar 4, 2026Housereported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar floor amendment (1) filed
- Mar 2, 2026HouseCommitteeto Judiciary (H)
- Feb 26, 2026HouseIntroducedintroduced in House to Committee on Committees (H)
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Public Defender Compensation Overhaul
HB 762 establishes specific pay floors and mandatory classification upgrades for Department of Public Advocacy attorneys effective September 16, 2026.
Connected Entities
Sources
apps.legislature.ky.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance85How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy20Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz40Current news / social attention level
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