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HB 22KENTUCKYSession 2026RSState Billdead
Did Not Advance

Kentucky House Bill 22 Establishes Fundamental Right to Reproductive Privacy and Repeals Multiple Abortion Restrictions

Original title: AN ACT relating to reproductive privacy.

Last action · January 13, 2026: to Judiciary (H)Sponsors: Lindsey Burke and 4 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓
Introduced
Committee
Floor Vote
Passed
Law

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What This Bill Proposed

Kentucky House Bill 22 establishes a statutory right to choose or refuse contraception, sterilization, and abortion prior to fetal , while repealing numerous existing state restrictions, criminal penalties, and reporting requirements related to abortion procedures.

Why it matters

Residents gain explicit legal protections to access or refuse reproductive healthcare services without state interference, and physicians, medical facilities, and state agencies are released from prior licensing penalties, mandatory waiting periods, and reporting obligations associated with abortion restrictions.

Background
  • House Bill 22 was introduced in the Kentucky General Assembly during the 2026 Regular Session under the primary sponsorship of Representative L. Burke. context
  • Kentucky has experienced extensive litigation and legislative activity concerning abortion access and statutory restrictions following federal judicial developments. context

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

Individuals seeking reproductive healthcare

Individuals receive explicit statutory protection for fundamental rights to choose or refuse contraception, sterilization, and pre-viability abortion.

Directly affected

Physicians and medical providers

Medical providers are relieved of specific criminal penalties and licensing sanctions previously tied to abortion restrictions while remaining subject to viability limits and reporting rules.

Directly affected

Cabinet for Health and Family Services

The cabinet retains duties to inspect medical records for reporting compliance and maintain public statistical reports.

Directly affected

State and local officials

Officials become subject to potential civil liability in state or federal court if they violate the established reproductive privacy rights.

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 fundamental rights does House Bill 22 establish for individuals?
The bill establishes a fundamental right for every individual to choose or refuse contraception, sterilization, or to bear a child or obtain an abortion prior to fetal , or to protect the life or health of the pregnant person.
Can state or local officials be sued for violating these reproductive rights?
Yes. Any state or local official charged with violating these provisions is subject to an action in federal or state court for injunctive relief and damages brought by any aggrieved person or entity.
Does the bill permit abortions after fetal viability?
Abortions are prohibited after an unborn child has reached , except when necessary to preserve the life or health of the pregnant person.
Which existing laws are affected by this legislation?
The bill repeals numerous specific KRS sections relating to abortion restrictions, criminal penalties for physicians performing certain abortion procedures, and funding limitations for abortion services.

What else do you want to know?

News Coverage

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Where This Stands

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

Procedural history

2 actions
  1. Jan 13, 2026HouseCommittee
    to Judiciary (H)
  2. Jan 6, 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.

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

Lindsey BurkeHouse · District 75DemocraticPrimary sponsor
George BrownHouse · District 77DemocraticCosponsor
Adrielle CamuelHouse · District 93DemocraticCosponsor
Anne DonworthHouse · District 76DemocraticCosponsor
Sarah StalkerHouse · District 34DemocraticCosponsor

Discoveries

1 pattern noticed across the record

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift98% confidence

Comprehensive Repeal of Prior Abortion Restrictions

The bill systematically repeals dozens of interlocking statutory sections enacted over prior legislative sessions, replacing them with a framework affirming fundamental rights to contraception and pre-viability abortion.

General Assembly of the Commonwealth of KentuckyCabinet for Health and Family Services

Connected Entities

Adrielle Camuel, Crime Victims Compensation Board, State Board of Medical Licensure and 7 more
PersonAdrielle Camuel“Co-sponsor of House Bill 22.”Map →
OrganizationCrime Victims Compensation Board“Board providing reimbursement for sexual assault examinations.”Map →
OrganizationState Board of Medical Licensure“Board responsible for licensing physicians and enforcing medical practice standa”Map →
PersonAnne Donworth“Co-sponsor of House Bill 22.”Map →
OrganizationVital Statistics Branch“Branch receiving vital statistics reports.”Map →
PersonLindsey Burke“Primary sponsor of House Bill 22.”Map →
PersonSarah Stalker“Co-sponsor of House Bill 22.”Map →
OrganizationCabinet for Health and Family Services“State agency tasked with inspecting medical records and administering health pro”Map →
OrganizationGeneral Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky“Legislative body enacting the measure.”Map →
PersonGeorge Brown“Co-sponsor of House Bill 22.”Map →

Sources

Open source document

apps.legislature.ky.gov

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance20
    Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 90)
  • Controversy95
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment10
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz85
    Current news / social attention level

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