AN ACT relating to vacant and abandoned property.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Rachel Roarx

Allows law enforcement to enter and secure vacant or abandoned properties without notice and remove or arrest unlawful occupants.

to Judiciary (H)

#criminalprocedure #localgovernment #peaceofficersandlawenforcement #police #cityandcounty #property #sheriffs

Summary of HB 624 (2026 Regular Session, Kentucky)

Purpose

HB 624 seeks to address vacant and abandoned property by granting law enforcement officers the authority to enter such properties without delay or notice to secure the premises and remove or arrest occupants who are unlawfully occupying them. The bill also sets a definition and criteria for determining when property is presumed vacant and abandoned.

Key Provisions

Authority to enter and secure: Law enforcement officers (including city, county, urban-county, consolidated local, and charter county police, as well as sheriffs and sworn deputy sheriffs) may enter vacant or abandoned properties without delay or advance notice. They may secure the property and remove or arrest any person unlawfully occupying it.

Presumption of vacancy/abandonment: A property is presumed vacant and abandoned if:

There has been no residency for 45 consecutive days by a legally entitled occupant, and
Two or more of the following indicators are present:
Overgrown or dead vegetation
Accumulation of flyers, mail, or trash
Disconnected utilities
Absence of window coverings or furniture
Uncorrected hazardous conditions or vandalism
Statements from neighbors, delivery personnel, or government employees indicating the property is vacant

Good-faith immunity: Law enforcement officers acting in good faith under this section are immune from criminal and civil liability for actions taken under the provisions.

Who/What is Affected

Property context: Vacant or abandoned real property, as defined by the 45-day occupancy threshold plus two qualifying indicators.

Law enforcement: Officers across applicable Kentucky jurisdictions are authorized to enter and take action to secure properties and remove unlawful occupants.

Occupants/Individuals: People unlawfully occupying these properties may be removed or arrested if found on the premises under this authority.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

No notice required: Entry to secure properties can occur without delay or advance notice.

Presumption standard: The 45-day occupancy period combined with at least two indicators activates the vacancy/abandonment presumption.

Liability protection: Officers acting in good faith are shielded from criminal and civil liability for actions taken under this authority.

Practical Implications

The bill formalizes police-led intervention in cases of suspected vacancy/abandonment to address property maintenance, safety, and potential unlawful occupying activity.

It creates a clear, defensible standard for determining vacancy, which can streamline enforcement decisions.

The immunity provision aims to protect officers from liability when acting within the statute’s framework.

Notable Considerations

The definition relies on observable indicators and a specific occupancy window, which may affect how properties are classified in practice.

The measure does not appear to create additional post-entry remedies (e.g., eviction processes) beyond removal/arrest of unlawful occupants; subsequent procedures would likely be governed by existing laws.

If you’d like, I can compare this proposal to current Kentucky statutes on vacant properties or provide a brief impact assessment for municipalities.