LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Kentucky State Rep. Attica Scott (D-Louisville) announced a new bill she pre-filed for the 2021 legislative session that would ban no-knock warrants in Kentucky. The bill, announced at Sunday's Kentucky Alliance against Racism and Political Repression press conference, would be known as Breonna's Law if passed.


What You Need To Know

  • Attica Scott introduces pre-filed bill that would ban no-knock warrants in Kentucky

  • Bill would be known as "Breonna's Law"

  • Breonna's Law would also mandate use of body cameras by police

  • General Assembly will vote on bill for 2021 legislative session

Breonna's Law would also mandate agencies to carry out drug and alcohol testing for officers involved in a deadly incident and require officers to wear and activate body cameras while engaged in law enforcement activity, including the serving of a search warrant.

“Five minutes before serving the warrant and five minutes after, those body cameras better be on,” Scott told those gathered for the announcement at Jefferson Square Park, a major hub for protests in Louisville.

Failure to comply with the body camera measures would come with consequences of varying degrees.

For example, if an incident results in a civilian death, the police officer's certification would be revoked permanently. It could only be reversed a court exonerates the police officer.

“I mean we the taxpayers are paying for them [body cameras] anyways so at least use them right. So Breonna‘s Law for Kentucky will answer that call to action,” Scott said.

Scott originally pre-filed Bill Request 22 last week on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2020, which marked the five-month anniversary of Taylor's death. Taylor was killed when LMPD officers executed a no-knock warrant at her apartment.

Scott was joined by co-sponsors like Kentucky State Rep. Charles Booker (D-Louisville).

Sam Aguiar, one of the lawyers for Taylor’s family, said he had a team that helped draft the newly-filed legislation.

“These police officers are getting away with murder, and there’s no accountability,” Aguiar said. “And she [Scott] immediately stepped up and said, ‘Well, what can we do about it?’ We’ve been working on it for the last couple of years but everything just stalls in committee. Never gets out. Now, we finally have a chance," Aguiar added.

Louisville already passed Breonna's Law in June, but this new legislation would go into effect across Kentucky. 

Scott said she has traveled across the state, and one thing is clear from Kentuckians she has spoken to. No-knock warrants are outdated and antiquated, she said.

“People know this is not something that they are going to have to feel as anti-police,” Scott told Spectrum News 1. She added, “What they are going to know is clear; it’s clear that it’s pro-protecting our aunts, and uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.”

The Kentucky State Fraternal Order of Police responded to the bill on Facebook, saying it is "based on an incomplete investigation and no facts." 

"The unintended consequences will be so severe, likely a mass exodus of great cops all across this Commonwealth," read the post. "Yet again, cops have been made out to be the enemy of the people and used as no more than #PoliticalPawns."

The Kentucky General Assembly will consider the pre-filed bill when legislators return to Frankfort in January 2021.