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Bill Summary · HB 558

Summary of HB 558 (2026 Regular Session, Kentucky)

Purpose and Intent

HB 558 relates to protective orders, expanding and clarifying how interpersonal protective orders (IPOs) can be filed, processed, and recognized across Kentucky courts. The bill addresses both domestic/interpersonal protective orders issued within Kentucky and the handling of foreign (out-of-state) protective orders to ensure consistent protection and enforcement.

Key Provisions

1) Scope and Petitioners (KRS 456.030)

  • Defines who may file for an IPO:
    • A victim of dating violence and abuse
    • A victim of stalking
    • A victim of sexual assault
    • An adult filing on behalf of a minor who qualifies for relief
  • Permits filing in the victim’s county of residence or a county where the victim has fled to escape abuse.
  • Requires petitions to be verified and include:
    • petitioner’s personal details (name, age, address, occupation, residence, school/postsecondary)
    • respondent’s details (name, age, address, occupation, residence)
    • factual basis for the petition
    • minor children’s names, ages, and addresses if applicable
  • Petitions must be filed on AOC-prescribed forms and may be provided by clerks or authorized officials (e.g., law enforcement, prosecutors, rape crisis centers, shelters).
  • All petitions seeking protection shall be accepted and filed.

2) Court Jurisdiction and Access (KRS 456.030)

  • District Court has concurrent jurisdiction with Circuit Court over IPO petitions.
  • Court of Justice must provide a 24-hour access protocol to IPOs in each county, with Supreme Court oversight for initial protocol and amendments.
  • Protocols may allow petitions to be filed in or transferred to courts other than those specified.
  • The Court of Justice may authorize county-specific supplemental jurisdictional protocols.
  • In addition to 24-hour access protocols, the Court of Justice shall provide filing protocols (including electronic filing) at regional rape crisis centers or domestic violence shelters that opt into the county’s 24-hour access protocol.
  • Protocols for IPO access and filing are subject to Supreme Court review.

3) Hearing and Enforcement (KRS 456.030)

  • Any judge referred to under the protocol has full authority to review, hear, grant, and enforce IPOs.
  • If a judge handling enforcement/modification is unavailable, any judge in the county may proceed per court rules.

4) Foreign Protective Orders (KRS 456.140)

  • A foreign protective order may be filed in a Kentucky District Court clerk’s office and shall have the same effect as a Kentucky IPO.
  • Requires an affidavit detailing the issuing jurisdiction and certification status of the foreign order.
  • If a foreign order is current but uncertified, it is treated similarly to a Kentucky IPO but subject to verification; it is valid for 14 days and can be renewed once for another 14 days if certified copy is not yet received.
  • The clerk shall attempt to obtain a certified copy within 10 days; if received, the order is entered into the Law Information Network of Kentucky (LINK).
  • A facsimile copy of a certified foreign order can ground issuance of a Kentucky IPO.
  • If no certified copy is received within 28 days, the foreign order expires unless the applicant qualifies for a Kentucky IPO and applies for one.
  • The applicant may enforce either a foreign order under its own rules or pursue a Kentucky IPO.

Who Is Affected

  • Victims of dating violence, stalking, and sexual assault seeking protection.
  • Adults filing on behalf of qualifying minors.
  • Regional rape crisis centers and domestic violence shelters participating in IPO protocols.
  • Local and state courts (District and Circuit) handling IPO petitions, including those processing foreign protective orders.
  • Law enforcement and prosecutorial offices involved in filing, verification, and processing of orders.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Petition forms and filing processes standardized, with 24-hour access protocols across counties.
  • Cross-jurisdictional flexibility: petitions may be filed or transferred to different courts as per protocols.
  • Foreign orders receive expedited handling with timelines:
    • 14-day initial recognition if uncertified
    • Up to 28-day window to obtain certification
    • Potential renewal 14 days upon lack of certification
  • Ongoing enforcement remains available through existing channels if a separate foreign-order enforcement action is pursued.

This bill aims to streamline access to protective orders, enhance cross-jurisdictional enforcement, and clarify procedures for recognizing and integrating foreign protective orders into Kentucky’s system.

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

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