FRANKFORT, Ky. — Public safety is at the forefront of House Republicans’ minds in this legislative session. Their broad-reaching crime bill — known as the Safer Kentucky Act — is now moving forward after easily clearing through the House. 

What You Need To Know

  • House Bill 5 is now heading to the State Senate

  • The bill, known as the Safer Kentucky Act, passed in the House 74-22

  • It is a broad-reaching public safety bill drafted by Louisville Republicans

  • Opponents fear new laws won’t reduce crime

The bill received 74 yea votes, and 22 no votes. The votes were split nearly along party lines. State Representatives Steven Doan, R- Erlanger, Savannah Maddox, R-Dry Ridge, and Felicia Rabourn, R- Pendleton voted no. A lone eastern Kentucky Democrat, Ashley Tackett Laferty, D-Martin, voted yes.

“I saw firsthand effects of the prior decriminalization efforts from this general assembly in days past. I understand their intentions was to reduce costs and incarceration, but it had a negative effect on crime fighting,” State Rep. Wade Williams, R-Earlington, said as he spoke in favor of House Bill 5.

The bill addresses primarily violent crime. It harshens penalties for many things and would create a three-strikes law where repeat violent criminals would receive a life sentence.   

“it’s unimaginable to me that someone could continuously get away with violent crimes, and we repeatedly released them with a pat on the wrist and no real personal accountability,” Williams said.

Kentucky already has a law to enact stiffer sentences for persistent felony offenders. It’s been around since the 70s. 

Opponents of the bill say the proposal could lead to jail overcrowding and does not address the root causes of crime.

“All I see here in the Suffer Kentucky Act is more problems,” State Rep. Josie Raymond, D-Louisville, said.

The version of the bill that passed on Thursday, Jan. 25 differs from previous versions.

On homelessness, people sleeping in cars would not fall under its street camping ordinance. So long as they are not parked for over 12 hours. HB 5 would ban street camping in public spaces, and would allow cities to designate a spot where it would be permitted.

And the crime of selling someone fentanyl who ends up dying because of it has been lowered from murder to manslaughter. It also carves out protections for someone acting in good faith who attempts to save a person’s life who’s overdosed. 

“To reduce violent crime, what would it take to create real solutions? It would take looking at the perpetrators, the root causes, evidence-based prevention and deterrence. Where do these crimes take place? When and why,” Raymond said. “This bill, rather than acknowledge the difficult work required to actually make Kentuckians safer, has one solution to a host of different problems. Increase penalties, lock them up.”

The bill also expands what classifies as a violent offense. Now including arson, strangulation and second-degree robbery. 

People found guilty of those crimes must serve nearly their entire sentence before parole can be granted. 

House Bill 5 now heads to the Senate for further action.

Related Stories