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Bill Summary · SB 184

Overview

SB 184 (2026 Regular Session, Kentucky) establishes a statewide Title IX oversight and reporting system for K-12 educational institutions and certain Kentucky Department of Education subdivisions. The bill also contains related provisions affecting interscholastic athletics governance, coaching qualifications, transfers, and imagery/telecommunications leasing authority for the Board of Education. It emphasizes reporting, training, and compliance with Title IX, and restricts new reporting requirements after June 27, 2025 unless authorized by statute or federal law.

Purpose and intent

  • Create a centralized, regulatory framework to monitor and enforce Title IX compliance across all K-12 educational institutions and relevant subdivisions/programs.
  • Improve accountability by requiring timely reporting of Title IX complaints, federal investigations, investigation outcomes, and certain nondisclosure agreements.
  • Identify institutions needing additional training or intervention to reduce Title IX violations.
  • Establish penalties for noncompliance with the reporting system and require reporting to the Kentucky Board of Education.

Key provisions

  • Section 1: Creation of a new section under KRS Chapter 156 to establish the Title IX oversight and monitoring system.

    • Definitions:
    • K-12 educational institution includes school districts, public charter schools, the Kentucky Department of Education, interlocal cooperatives, and related agencies.
    • Title IX refers to the federal Education Amendments of 1972.
    • Requirements for reporting to the commissioner of education or designee:
    • Complaints alleging Title IX violations.
    • Federal notices of Title IX investigations.
    • Outcomes of Title IX investigations.
    • Any contract with an employee or former employee containing a nondisclosure agreement.
    • Annual identification of institutions/programs needing additional training or intervention.
    • Establishment of penalties for noncompliance with reporting.
    • Reporting of identified or penalized institutions to the Kentucky Board of Education.

  • Section 2: Amendments to KRS 156.070 (governing structure of the Kentucky Board of Education and interscholastic athletics).

    • Management and control of interscholastic athletics may be designated to an organization/agency, with board-approved rules and hearings under KRS Chapter 13B.
    • Regulations to ensure scholarship-related sports align with NCAA offerings.
    • Requirements for by-laws to include nonpublic school representatives on the managing organization’s board of control (regions 1–8 and 9–16, with staggered terms; nonpublic reps not from A1 or D1 classifications).
    • Restrictions on participation for 7th–8th graders in certain high school sports and limits on multi-team participation.
    • Allowability of competition against nonmember at-home private schools under specified conditions; prohibitions on advancing to official state tournaments or recognition.
    • Annual medical examinations and required consent forms for student-athlete eligibility, including child dependency/neglect/abuse reporting obligations and training requirements for administrators/coaches.
    • Age-based eligibility: 19th birthday cutoff for high school athletics, with an exception for certain ARC-recommended exceptional children cases.
    • Categories for teams (Boys, Girls, Coed) and determination of a student’s sex via birth certificate or sworn physician affidavit; protections against gender-based challenges to separate teams.
    • Provisions for coaching personnel: certification status, age, background checks, post-hire requirements, and professional development options in lieu of postsecondary credits.
    • Transfer rules affecting varsity eligibility and ineligibility periods; governing rules and by-laws to carry out transfer-related requirements.
    • Name, image, and likeness restrictions tied to school property or trademarks; regulatory enforcement by the Board or designated agency.
    • Oversight system to report misconduct by agency employees, with quarterly summaries to the Board.

  • Additional statutory clarifications:

    • The Board may lease state property for educational television facilities, with renewal procedures tied to appropriations and biennial terms.
    • The Board may publish administrative regulations and materials for public expenditure and informational purposes.
    • Prohibition on new reporting requirements after June 27, 2025 unless authorized by statute or federal law.

Potential impact

  • Increased transparency and accountability for Title IX compliance across Kentucky K-12 education.
  • Greater emphasis on training and intervention to reduce Title IX violations.
  • Expanded governance and compliance requirements for interscholastic athletics, including gender category definitions, safety measures, and coercive NDA involvement.
  • Administrative and reporting burdens on districts and the Department of Education but with clear penalties for noncompliance.
  • Strategic use of leased broadcast facilities to support education while preventing political or commercial misuse.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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