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Bill Summary · SB 159

Summary of SB 159 (2026 Regular Session, Kentucky)

Purpose and Intent

  • The bill relates to missing and unidentified persons and aligns Kentucky’s reporting requirements with the federal NamUs system.
  • It builds on Billy’s Law (2022 federal act) which requires local law enforcement to report missing children information to NamUs.
  • Kentucky intends to require local law enforcement agencies to report missing/unidentified persons information to NamUs and to adopt related policies.

Key Provisions

NamUs Reporting (Primary Change)

  • Requires a newly added provision to KRS 15.440: local law enforcement agencies must submit missing and unidentified persons case information to NamUs.
  • This submission must occur after the information has already been entered into NCIC (National Crime Information Center).
  • The policy must be documented in a written NamUs submission policy and procedures manual at the local agency level.
  • The manual must specify:
    • A requirement to enter missing/unidentified cases into NamUs.
    • Timing criteria for NamUs entry relative to NCIC:
    • Within 72 hours: if there is a reasonable indication of abduction or a life-threatening missing scenario for a person under 21 (based on NCIC Missing Person codes: Child Abduction or AMBER Alert).
    • Within 30 days: for other cases where a missing person alert (non-AMBER) is activated, or when safety concerns are indicated by Endangered or Involuntary keys.
    • Within 60 days: for all other active, noncanceled missing/unidentified cases not covered by the above criteria.
  • The NamUs entry policy is supplementary; it does not replace existing duties related to missing persons.

Administrative and Training Requirements (Existing Section 15.440 framework)

  • The bill interacts with other standards for law enforcement agencies (training hours, basic and in-service training, data transmission requirements, etc.) as part of the broader section governing the Law Enforcement Foundation Program fund eligibility. Agencies must already meet various qualifications (education, training hours, data transmission, policy standards, etc.) to participate in state funding.

Compliance and Fiscal Implications

  • Agencies must maintain the NamUs policy and ensure NamUs submissions occur per the timelines above.
  • The Kentucky Legislative Research Commission’s Local Government Mandate Statement indicates:
    • The fiscal impact is indeterminable but expected to be negative (costs associated with implementing the policy), though described as minimal.
    • Agencies already perform similar administrative duties; the new duties are not expected to be unduly burdensome.

Who Is Affected

  • Local law enforcement agencies in Kentucky that participate in the Law Enforcement Foundation Program fund.
  • Specifically, police departments, sheriffs’ offices, and related local government law enforcement entities required to adhere to KRS 15.440 for funding eligibility.

Timeline and Procedural Details

  • Timing requirements for NamUs entry align with NCIC entry:
    • 72 hours for certain high-risk abduction/amber cases involving those under 21.
    • 30 days for other alerts or high-risk indicators.
    • 60 days for all other active cases.
  • The NamUs policy must be in place and the NamUs entries must be made accordingly.
  • The bill was introduced in February 2026 and followed a standard legislative process, including committee referrals and floor actions; it passed the Senate on Feb 18, 2026 (3rd reading, 36-0) and has been moving through the House.

Practical Implications

  • Improves interagency information sharing and national coordination for missing/unidentified persons by ensuring NamUs is used alongside NCIC.
  • Aims to expedite and standardize the reporting process to support identification, case management, and potential safe recovery of missing individuals.
  • Likely modest fiscal impact for local agencies due to administrative workload and recordkeeping, but provides a structured framework and potential long-term benefits in case resolutions.

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

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