Kentucky House Bill 399 Increases Penalties for First-Degree Rape, Sodomy, and Sexual Abuse Against Children Under Twelve

Original title: AN ACT relating to sexual offenses against children.

Last action · January 23, 2026: to Judiciary (H)Sponsors: Candy Massaroni and 3 others

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What This Bill Proposed

Kentucky HB 399 elevates first-degree rape and sodomy of a victim under twelve years old from a to a . It also raises first-degree sexual abuse of a child under twelve from a Class C felony to a capital offense, while permitting the admissibility of certain felony juvenile court records in adult criminal trials.

Why it matters

The measure alters sentencing guidelines for specific sex crimes against children, establishing capital punishment as the penalty for first-degree rape, sodomy, and sexual abuse when the victim is under twelve years old. It also changes evidentiary rules by allowing felony-level juvenile adjudications to be used for impeachment and sentencing in subsequent adult criminal trials, excluding use for status.

Who It Would Have Affected

Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Defendants convicted of sexual offenses against children

Individuals convicted of first-degree rape, sodomy, or sexual abuse against victims under twelve face reclassification of their offenses to capital offenses, and certain juvenile records may be used during their sentencing.

Directly affected

Victims under twelve years old

The legal classification and statutory penalties for qualifying offenses committed against victims under twelve are modified.

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

Can juvenile court records be used in adult criminal trials under this bill?

Yes. Juvenile court records of adjudications for offenses that would be felonies if committed by an adult are admissible during adult criminal trials for impeachment and sentencing purposes, though they cannot be used to declare someone a .

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Where This Stands

This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · in House committee.

Procedural history

2 actions

Jan 23, 2026HouseCommittee
to Judiciary (H)
Jan 15, 2026HouseIntroduced
introduced 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.

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