FRANKFORT, Ky. — In one week, lawmakers will return to Frankfort for part two of their 30 legislative day session.


What You Need To Know

  • Hundreds of bills have been filed so far in the 2025 legislative session

  • State Rep. George Brown filed House Boll 121, which would prohibit slavery in the state’s constitution 

  • Section 25 of the state’s constitution says “slavery and involuntary servitude in this State are forbidden, except as a punishment for crime, whereof the party shall have been duly convicted” 

  • Lawmakers reconvene Tuesday, Feb. 4

Hundreds of bills have been filed this session, including House Bill 121. It would prohibit slavery and involuntary servitude in all circumstances in the state’s constitution.

“It’s a black eye for this country to say that we still accept slavery, indentured servitude for people who have been convicted of a criminal offense,” said State Representative George Brown, D-Lexington.

Brown’s constitutional amendment would change Section 25 of Kentucky’s constitution, which currently allows slavery and indentured servitude as punishment for a crime.

“It should be abolished and removed if we’re going to be a forward thinking and forward moving state in the United States of America,” Brown said.

Savvy Shabazz, a criminal justice advocate, was formerly incarcerated where he say he did jobs for less than 60 cents a day and sometimes only $12 a month.

“There are so many people across the state that do not know that this exists in their own constitution. There are so many people just like me, formerly incarcerated people, currently incarcerated people, people impacted by the justice system that have no clue this is inside of our constitution,” Shabazz said.

The majority party, GOP was also busy getting bills filed, including House Bill 1, which has already passed the House and passed committee in the Senate. It lowers the state’s income tax rate from 4% to 3.5%

“We have reduced income taxes on the average Kentucky taxpayer over $1,500. That is a mighty good thing,” said State Representative Jason Nemes, R-Middletown as HB 1 was being debated on the House floor in January.

Bills have also been filed allowing freestanding birthing centers, allowing the sale of raw milk and affordable housing, among other things.

Looking ahead, lawmakers are expected to introduce legislation outlawing diversity, equity and inclusion practices at state universities and colleges as well as legislation related to artificial intelligence.

Rep. Brown introduced the bill to abolish slavery last year as well. However, it was never assigned to a committee and could not move forward.