Text of KY HB 565 (2025)

UNOFFICIAL COPY 25 RS BR 850 Page 1 of 48 XXXX 12/12/2024 2:48 PM Jacketed AN ACT relating to state benefits for veterans. 1 Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky: 2 Section 1. KRS 40.010 is amended to read as follows: 3 As used in this chapter: 4 (1) "Administrator" means the adjutant general of the Commonwealth; 5 (2) "Veteran" means a person who: 6 (a) Served in the active Armed Forces of the United States, during the Spanish- 7 American[Spanish American] War, World War I, World War II, or the 8 Korean conflict, for a period of ninety (90) days or more (exclusive of time 9 spent AWOL; or in penal confinement as a result of a sentence imposed by 10 court-martial; or in service for which no allowance is made according to KRS 11 40.040), with some portion of service within the respective hereinafter 12 prescribed dates; and[, who ] 13 (b) 1. Is still in the Armed Forces; 14 2. Was[, or was] released, separated, discharged, or retired therefrom under 15 honorable conditions; or 16 3. Was released, separated, discharged, or retired therefrom under 17 conditions other than bad conduct or dishonorable, unless that 18 release, separation, discharge, or retirement was solely related to 19 being qualified as a discharged LGBTQ veteran or having a 20 qualifying condition, and: 21 a. Is a discharged LGBTQ veteran; or 22 b. Has a qualifying condition; 23 (3) "Duty in active Armed Forces" includes active duty, and any period of inactive duty 24 training during which the individual concerned was disabled; and if a person in the 25 active Armed Forces was released, separated, or discharged therefrom by reason of 26 disability incurred in line of duty before serving as much as ninety (90) days, such 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 25 RS BR 850 Page 2 of 48 XXXX 12/12/2024 2:48 PM Jacketed person shall be qualified for entitlement to a bonus payment under this chapter, 1 notwithstanding failure to remain in service for the minimum time otherwise 2 prescribed; 3 (4) "Armed Forces" means the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, 4 Space Force, and Coast Guard, including the reserve components thereof on active 5 duty; 6 (5) "Qualified veteran" means a person answering to the specifications set forth in 7 subsections (2) and (3), and who 8 (a) Was a resident of the Commonwealth at the time of entry into active service 9 in the Armed Forces and for at least six (6) months prior thereto; and 10 (b) Who has not received a bonus or like compensation from another state; and 11 (c) Who is not subject to the forfeiture provisions of this chapter; 12 (6) "Resident of the Commonwealth at the time of entry into the active service" means 13 any person who gave the Commonwealth of Kentucky, or any specific place in this 14 Commonwealth, as his or her place of residence at such time of entry, without 15 regard to the place of enlistment, commission, or induction. Conclusive and 16 exclusive evidence of such giving of place of residence shall be the official records 17 on file in the Department of Defense of the United States, or any official record 18 thereof in the files of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs; but if it be 19 shown to the satisfaction of the administrator that for any reason no such record was 20 made, or that the same has been lost, misplaced, or destroyed, or that an 21 authenticated copy thereof cannot be obtained within a reasonable time, other 22 evidence of bona fide residence may be accepted if deemed sufficient by the 23 administrator; 24 (7) "Resident," in any context other than as in subsection (6), means a legal resident as 25 determined by generally established principles of law, as may be defined, and 26 subject to proof, according to such regulations as the administrator may promulgate; 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 25 RS BR 850 Page 3 of 48 XXXX 12/12/2024 2:48 PM Jacketed (8) "Beneficiary" means, in this order, widow, child or children (sharing equally), 1 mother, father, and no other; 2 (9) (a) "Widow" means a woman who was the wife of a veteran at the time of his 3 death, and who had not deserted him (except where there was a separation 4 which was due to the misconduct of, or procured by, the veteran without the 5 fault of the wife), and who had not remarried, (unless the purported 6 remarriage was void or had been annulled); 7 (b) The term "widow" also includes "widower" in the case of a man who was the 8 husband of a female veteran at the time of her death; 9 (10) "Child" means a person: 10 (a) Who is under the age of eighteen (18); or 11 (b) Who, before attaining the age of eighteen (18) years, became permanently 12 incapable of self-support; or 13 (c) Who, after attaining the age of eighteen (18) years and until completion of 14 education or training (but not after attaining the age of twenty-one (21) years) 15 is pursuing a course of instruction at a bona fide educational institution; and 16 who, in relationship to the veteran, is a child born in lawful wedlock; a legally 17 adopted child; a stepchild who is a member of a veteran's household or was a 18 member at the time of the veteran's death; or a child born out of wedlock, but, 19 as to the alleged father, only if acknowledged in writing signed by him, or if 20 he had, before his death, been judicially decreed to be the father of such child; 21 (11) "Mother" means a mother, a mother through adoption, or a woman who for a period 22 of not less than one (1) year stood in the relationship of a mother to a qualified 23 veteran before his or her entry into active service in the Armed Forces, or if two (2) 24 persons stood in such relationship for one (1) year or more, the person who last 25 stood in such relationship before the veteran's last entry into active service in the 26 Armed Forces; 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 25 RS BR 850 Page 4 of 48 XXXX 12/12/2024 2:48 PM Jacketed (12) "Father" means a father, a father through adoption, or a man who for a period of not 1 less than one (1) year stood in the relationship of a father to a qualified veteran 2 before his or her entry into active service in the Armed Forces, or if two (2) persons 3 stood in such relationship for one (1) year or more, the person who last stood in 4 such relationship before the veteran's last entry into active service in the Armed 5 Forces; 6 (13) "In the continental United States" means any place in the District of Columbia and 7 the states of the United States which are on the North American continent, 8 exclusive of Alaska; 9 (14) "Outside the continental United States" means any place elsewhere than as defined 10 in subsection (13); 11 (15) "Spanish-American War": 12 (a) Means the period beginning on April 21, 1898, and ending on July 4, 1902; 13 (b) Includes the Philippine Insurrection and the Boxer Rebellion; and 14 (c) In the case of a veteran who served with the United States military forces 15 engaged in hostilities in the Moro Province, means the period beginning on 16 April 21, 1898, and ending on July 15, 1903; 17 (16) "World War I": 18 (a) Means the period beginning on April 6, 1917, and ending on November 11, 19 1918; and 20 (b) In the case of a veteran who served with the United States military forces in 21 Russia, means the period beginning on April 6, 1917, and ending on April 1, 22 1920; and 23 (c) Any service between April 6, 1917, and July 1, 1921, if some part thereof was 24 between April 6, 1917, and November 11, 1918, both dates being inclusive; 25 (17) "World War II" means the period beginning December 7, 1941, and ending 26 December 31, 1946; 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 25 RS BR 850 Page 5 of 48 XXXX 12/12/2024 2:48 PM Jacketed (18) "Korean conflict" means the period beginning on June 27, 1950, and ending 1 January 31, 1955; 2 (19) "Bonus" and "veterans' bonus" means the compensation authorized by this chapter; 3 (20) "Bonus claim" means a claim or potential claim for a veterans' bonus; 4 (21) "Claimant" means one who seeks to obtain payment of a bonus claim; 5 (22) "Discharged LGBTQ veteran" means a person who: 6 (a) Served in the Armed Forces or National Guard; and 7 (b) Was discharged from military service due to: 8 1. His or her actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity; or 9 gender expression; 10 2. Statements, consensual sexual conduct, or consensual acts relating to 11 sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression; or 12 3. The disclosure of statements, conduct, or acts set out in subparagraph 13 2. of this paragraph; 14 that were prohibited by the military service at the time of discharge; and 15 (23) "Qualifying condition" means a diagnosis, made by a health care professional 16 employed by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, of: 17 (a) Service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder; 18 (b) Service-connected traumatic brain injury; or 19 (c) Any other condition which resulted from physical assault of a sexual nature, 20 battery of a sexual nature, or sexual harassment which occurred while as a 21 member of the Armed Forces regardless of duty status or line of duty 22 determination. 23 Section 2. KRS 40.310 is amended to read as follows: 24 (1) The Department of Veterans' Affairs shall collect all necessary data and information 25 regarding facilities and services available to veterans, their families, and 26 dependents, and shall cooperate with all information or service agencies throughout 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 25 RS BR 850 Page 6 of 48 XXXX 12/12/2024 2:48 PM Jacketed the state in informing such persons regarding the existence or availability of all 1 educational, training, and retraining facilities; health, medical, rehabilitation, and 2 housing services and facilities; employment and reemployment services; provisions 3 of federal, state, and local laws affording rights, privileges, and benefits to said 4 persons, their families, and dependents, and all other matters of similar related or 5 appropriate nature. It shall likewise be the duty of the department to assist veterans 6 and their families and dependents in the presentation, proof, and establishment of 7 all claims, privileges, rights, and other benefits which they may have under federal, 8 state, or local laws, and to cooperate with all national, state, and local government 9 and private agencies securing services or any benefits to veterans, their families, 10 and dependents. 11 (2) The commissioner of the Department of Veterans' Affairs shall prepare and submit 12 to the Governor and each member of the board an annual report with reference to 13 claims presented on behalf of veterans and to otherwise report the activities and 14 accomplishments of the department. 15 (3) The Department of Veterans' Affairs shall be authorized to apply for and accept 16 gifts, grants, and other contributions from the federal government, or from any 17 other governmental unit which funds shall be administered by the department 18 through use of trust and agency accounts. 19 (4) Veterans, as used in KRS 40.305 to 40.310, include any individual who served on 20 active duty during peace or war in the Armed Forces of the United States, and 21 who:[ has] 22 (a) Received an honorable discharge from such service; or 23 (b) Received a discharge other than a bad conduct or dishonorable discharge, 24 unless that discharge was solely related to being qualified as a discharged 25 LGBTQ veteran or having a qualifying condition, and: 26 1. Has a qualifying condition; or 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 25 RS BR 850 Page 7 of 48 XXXX 12/12/2024 2:48 PM Jacketed 2. Is a discharged LGBTQ veteran. 1 (5) The Department of Veterans' Affairs shall maintain full, adequate, and complete 2 copies of all records pertaining to claims of veterans who file said claims for 3 benefits through the department. 4 (6) The commissioner of the Department of Veterans' Affairs may purchase liability 5 insurance for the protection of employees of the Department of Veterans' Affairs to 6 protect them from liability for acts, omissions, and claims arising in the course and 7 scope of their employment or service to the department. 8 (7) The Department of Veterans' Affairs shall manage the veterans' program trust fund 9 established by KRS 40.460 by hosting all board meetings, providing logistical 10 support, recording the minutes of each meeting, and authorizing expenditures once 11 the board has approved a request for funds. 12 (8) The Department of Veterans' Affairs shall: 13 (a) Promulgate administrative regulations in accordance with KRS Chapter 14 13A to establish a consistent and uniform process to identify the status and 15 eligibility of individuals as discharged LGBTQ veterans in the presentation 16 or establishment of all claims, privileges, rights, and other benefits which 17 individuals may have under state or local law; and 18 (b) Develop a standardized form used to confirm that a veteran has a qualifying 19 condition. 20 Section 3. KRS 12.245 is amended to read as follows: 21 (1) An administrative body that issues a license, permit, certificate, or other document 22 required to operate within a business, profession, or other occupation in the 23 Commonwealth shall issue within thirty (30) days of receipt of a completed 24 application a license, permit, certificate, or other document to a member of the 25 United States military, Reserves, or National Guard, or to his or her spouse, or to a 26 veteran or the spouse of a veteran, who is seeking a license, permit, certificate, or 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 25 RS BR 850 Page 8 of 48 XXXX 12/12/2024 2:48 PM Jacketed other document and currently holds or recently held equivalent documentation 1 issued by another state, the District of Columbia, or any possession or territory of 2 the United States unless: 3 (a) The license, permit, certificate, or other document issued by another state, the 4 District of Columbia, or any possession or territory of the United States has 5 been expired for more than two (2) years; 6 (b) The license, permit, certificate, or other documentation is not in good 7 standing; 8 (c) The holder of the license, permit, certificate, or other document has had the 9 license, permit, certificate, or other document suspended for disciplinary 10 reasons; or 11 (d) The board can show substantive evidence of significant statutory deficiency in 12 the training, education, or experience of the United States military service 13 member, Reserves or National Guard member, veteran, or spouse, which 14 could cause a health or safety risk to the public. 15 (2) The United States military service member, Reserves or National Guard member, 16 veteran, or spouse shall submit: 17 (a) Proof of issuance of a valid license, permit, certificate, or other document 18 issued by another state, the District of Columbia, or any possession or 19 territory of the United States that is active or has been expired for less than 20 two (2) years; 21 (b) Proof that the valid license, permit, certificate, or other document issued by 22 another state, the District of Columbia, or any possession or territory of the 23 United States is in good standing or was upon the date of expiration; and 24 (c) 1. His or her DD-214 form or other proof of active or prior military service 25 with: 26 a. An honorable discharge, discharge under honorable conditions, or 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 25 RS BR 850 Page 9 of 48 XXXX 12/12/2024 2:48 PM Jacketed a general discharge under honorable conditions;[ or] 1 b.[2.] Military orders documenting his or her transfer to a military 2 assignment in Kentucky; or 3 c. A discharge other than a bad conduct discharge or a 4 dishonorable discharge, unless that discharge was solely related 5 to being qualified as a discharged LGBTQ veteran or having a 6 qualifying condition, if the individual also submits evidence of a 7 qualifying condition as defined in Section 1 of this Act or status 8 as a discharged LGBTQ veteran as defined in Section 1 of this 9 Act. 10 (3) A United States military service member, Reserves or National Guard member, 11 veteran, or spouse who holds a license, permit, certificate, or other document issued 12 by another state, the District of Columbia, or any possession or territory of the 13 United States who applies for a license, permit, certificate, or other document 14 pursuant to subsection (1) of this section and is denied shall have the right to appeal 15 the decision in accordance with KRS Chapter 13B. 16 (4) A United States military service member, Reserves or National Guard member, 17 veteran, or spouse who holds a license in multiple jurisdictions through an interstate 18 licensure compact, with respect to services that he or she provides within the 19 jurisdiction of the interstate licensure compact, shall be subject to the requirements 20 of the compact or applicable statutes and not this section. 21 Section 4. KRS 12.354 is amended to read as follows: 22 (1) As used in this section, "administrative body" has the same meaning as in KRS 23 12.010. 24 (2) Each administrative body that issues a license, permit, certificate, or other 25 document that is required to operate within any business, profession, or occupation 26 in the Commonwealth may issue a license, permit, certificate, or other document, or 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 25 RS BR 850 Page 10 of 48 XXXX 12/12/2024 2:48 PM Jacketed a temporary license, permit, certificate, or other document to a United States 1 military service member or veteran who is seeking a license, permit, certificate, or 2 other document under this section and has: 3 (a) Separated from the military within two (2) years preceding the date of 4 applying for the license, permit, certificate, or other document, with: 5 1. An honorable discharge, discharge under honorable conditions, or a 6 general discharge under honorable conditions[ within two (2) years 7 preceding the date of applying for the license, permit, certificate, or 8 other document]; or 9 2. A discharge other than a bad conduct discharge or a dishonorable 10 discharge , unless that discharge was solely related to being qualified 11 as a discharged LGBTQ veteran or having a qualifying condition, 12 and: 13 a. A qualifying condition as defined in Section 1 of this Act; or 14 b. Status as a discharged LGBTQ veteran as defined in Section 1 of 15 this Act; 16 (b) Received training, education, or experience during active, National Guard, or 17 federal reserve military service to the extent that such training, education, or 18 experience satisfies the requirements established by law and administrative 19 regulations of the respective board for the issuance of any license, permit, 20 certificate, or other document, however styled or denominated, required for 21 the practice of any business, profession, or occupation in the Commonwealth; 22 and 23 (c) Submitted his or her DD 214 form or other proof of satisfactory completion of 24 military training to the administrative body as part of the license or certificate 25 application. 26 (3) Nothing in subsection (2) of this section shall require an administrative body to 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 25 RS BR 850 Page 11 of 48 XXXX 12/12/2024 2:48 PM Jacketed issue a license, permit, certificate, or other document if the administrative body 1 determines that the military training or experience does not meet the requirements 2 established by the administrative body for the issuance of a license, permit, 3 certificate, or other document to operate within a business, profession, or 4 occupation in the Commonwealth. 5 (4) Administrative bodies that receive multiple requests under this section are directed 6 to publish clear guidelines to clarify requirements. These guidelines may be 7 published electronically, in print, or by the promulgation of administrative 8 regulations. 9 (5) Military training and experience submitted under subsection (2) of this section shall 10 not be used as a substitute or in lieu of: 11 (a) A postsecondary school degree when a degree is a prerequisite for a license, 12 permit, certificate, or other document; or 13 (b) A specified examination when passage of an examination is a prerequisite for 14 a license, permit, certificate, or other document. 15 Section 5. KRS 14A.1-070 is amended to read as follows: 16 As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires: 17 (1) "Business" includes every trade, occupation, and profession; 18 (2) "Business trust" means a business trust governed as to its internal affairs by KRS 19 Chapter 386 or a statutory trust governed as to its internal affairs by KRS Chapter 20 386A; 21 (3) "Corporation" means a business corporation governed as to its internal affairs by 22 KRS Chapter 271B, a cooperative or association governed as to its internal affairs 23 by KRS Chapter 272, a nonprofit corporation governed as to its internal affairs by 24 KRS Chapter 273, and a rural electric or rural telephone cooperative corporation 25 governed as to its internal affairs by KRS Chapter 279; 26 (4) "Debtor in bankruptcy" means a person who is the subject of: 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 25 RS BR 850 Page 12 of 48 XXXX 12/12/2024 2:48 PM Jacketed (a) An order for relief under Title 11 of the United States Code or a comparable 1 order under a successor statute of general application; or 2 (b) A comparable order under federal, state, or foreign law governing insolvency; 3 (5) "Deliver" or "delivery" means any method of delivery used in conventional 4 commercial practice, including delivery by hand, mail, commercial delivery, and 5 electronic transmission; 6 (6) "Electronic transmission" or "electronically transmitted" means any process of 7 communication not directly involving the physical transfer of paper that is suitable 8 for the retention, retrieval, and reproduction of information by the recipient; 9 (7) "Entity" means a corporation, business or statutory trust, partnership, limited 10 partnership, limited liability company, limited cooperative association, or 11 unincorporated nonprofit association, governed as to its internal affairs by the laws 12 of the Commonwealth of Kentucky; 13 (8) "Foreign business trust" means a business or statutory trust not governed as to its 14 internal affairs by KRS Chapter 386 or 386A; 15 (9) "Foreign corporation" means a corporation as defined in subsection (2) of this 16 section that is not: 17 (a) Organized pursuant to the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky; or 18 (b) As to its internal affairs, governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of 19 Kentucky; 20 (10) "Foreign entity" means a corporation, not-for-profit corporation, cooperative, 21 limited cooperative association, association, business or statutory trust, partnership, 22 limited partnership, limited liability company, or unincorporated nonprofit 23 association not: 24 (a) Organized pursuant to the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky; or 25 (b) As to its internal affairs, governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of 26 Kentucky; 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 25 RS BR 850 Page 13 of 48 XXXX 12/12/2024 2:48 PM Jacketed (11) "Foreign limited cooperative association" means a limited cooperative association 1 that is not: 2 (a) Organized pursuant to the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky; or 3 (b) As to its internal affairs, governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of 4 Kentucky; 5 (12) "Foreign limited liability partnership" means a partnership that: 6 (a) Is formed under laws other than the laws of this Commonwealth; and 7 (b) Has the status of a limited liability partnership under those laws; 8 (13) "Foreign professional service corporation" has the same meaning as in KRS 9 274.005; 10 (14) "Foreign rural electric cooperative" means a rural electric cooperative organized 11 otherwise than under KRS 279.010 to 279.210; 12 (15) "Foreign rural telephone cooperative" means a rural telephone cooperative 13 organized otherwise than under KRS 279.310 to 279.990 excepting 279.570; 14 (16) "Foreign unincorporated nonprofit association" means an unincorporated nonprofit 15 association that is not: 16 (a) Organized in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky; or 17 (b) As to its internal affairs, governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of 18 Kentucky; 19 (17) "Good standing" means that all annual reports which are required to be received 20 from an entity or foreign entity have been delivered to and filed by the Secretary of 21 State, that all other lawfully required statutory documentation has been received and 22 filed, and that all fees, costs, and expenses, including penalties incurred in 23 connection therewith, have been paid; 24 (18) "Limited cooperative association" means a limited cooperative association 25 governed as to its internal affairs by KRS Chapter 272A; 26 (19) "Limited liability company" has the same meaning as in KRS 275.015; 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 25 RS BR 850 Page 14 of 48 XXXX 12/12/2024 2:48 PM Jacketed (20) "Limited liability partnership" means a partnership that has filed a statement of 1 qualification under KRS 362.1-931 or a registration as a registered limited liability 2 partnership under KRS 362.555 and does not have a similar statement or 3 registration in effect in any other jurisdiction; 4 (21) "Name of record with the Secretary of State" means any real, fictitious, reserved, 5 registered, or assumed name of an entity or foreign entity; 6 (22) "Nonprofit corporation," other than in the term "foreign nonprofit corporation," 7 means a nonprofit corporation incorporated pursuant to and governed as to its 8 internal affairs by KRS Chapter 273 or predecessor law; 9 (23) "Organic act" means the law of a state or other jurisdiction governing the 10 organization and internal affairs of an entity or foreign entity; 11 (24) "Organized" means organized, incorporated, or formed; 12 (25) "Organizational filing" means a filing made with the Secretary of State as a 13 precondition to the formation, organization, or incorporation of an entity, including 14 articles of incorporation, articles of organization, articles of association, certificates 15 of trust, and certificates of limited partnership. A statement of qualification filed 16 pursuant to KRS 362.1-931 or a registration as a limited liability partnership filed 17 pursuant to KRS 362.555 is not an organizational filing; 18 (26) "Partnership" means an association of two (2) or more persons to carry on as co- 19 owners a business for profit formed under KRS 362.1-202, predecessor law, or 20 comparable law of another jurisdiction; 21 (27) "Partnership agreement" means the agreement, whether written, oral, or implied, 22 among the partners concerning the partnership, including amendments to the 23 partnership agreement; 24 (28) "Person" means an individual, an entity, a foreign entity, or any other legal or 25 commercial entity; 26 (29) "Principal office" means the address required by this chapter or the organic act to be 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 25 RS BR 850 Page 15 of 48 XXXX 12/12/2024 2:48 PM Jacketed of record with the Secretary of State as the principal office, the principal place of 1 business address, the designated office of a limited partnership, or the chief 2 executive office of a limited liability partnership; 3 (30) "Professional service corporation" has the same meaning as in KRS 274.005; 4 (31) "Professional services" means the personal services rendered by physicians, 5 osteopaths, optometrists, podiatrists, chiropractors, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, 6 psychologists, occupational therapists, veterinarians, engineers, architects, 7 landscape architects, certified public accountants, public accountants, physical 8 therapists, and attorneys; 9 (32) "Property" means all property, real, personal, or mixed, tangible or intangible, or 10 any interest therein; 11 (33) "Qualified person" has the same meaning as in KRS 274.005; 12 (34) "Registered agent" means a registered agent appointed in accordance with KRS 13 14A.4-010 or predecessor law, and is synonymous with agent for service of 14 process; 15 (35) "Registered office" means the registered office identified in accordance with and 16 satisfying the requirements of KRS 14A.4-010(1)(b). The registered office address 17 must be a street address; 18 (36) "Regulatory board" means the agency that is charged by law with the licensing and 19 regulation of the practice of the profession which the entity is organized to provide; 20 (37) "Rural electric cooperative" means a rural electric cooperative governed as to its 21 internal affairs by KRS 279.010 to 279.210; 22 (38) "Rural telephone cooperative" means a rural telephone cooperative governed as to 23 its internal affairs by KRS 279.310 to 279.990 excepting KRS 279.570; 24 (39) "Series entity" means an entity or a foreign entity authorized and enabled by its 25 organic act and organizational filing to create series having separate rights, powers, 26 or duties with respect to specific property or obligations of the series entity, or the 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 25 RS BR 850 Page 16 of 48 XXXX 12/12/2024 2:48 PM Jacketed profits and losses associated with specific property or obligations; 1 (40) "Sign" or "signature" includes any manual, facsimile, conformed, or electronic 2 signature; 3 (41) "State" means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, the 4 Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any territory or insular possession subject to the 5 jurisdiction of the United States; 6 (42) "Statutory trust" means a trust governed as to its internal affairs by KRS Chapter 7 386A; 8 (43) "Unincorporated nonprofit association" means an unincorporated nonprofit 9 association governed as to its internal affairs by KRS Chapter 273A; 10 (44) "Veteran" means: 11 (a) Any[any] person who served in the United States Armed Forces, Reserves, or 12 National Guard and was separated or released therefrom with: 13 1. An honorable discharge, discharge under honorable conditions, or 14 general discharge under honorable conditions; or 15 2. A discharge other than a bad conduct discharge or a dishonorable 16 discharge, unless that discharge was solely related to being qualified 17 as a discharged LGBTQ veteran or having a qualifying condition, 18 and: 19 a. Has a qualifying condition as defined in Section 1 of this Act; or 20 b. Is a discharged LGBTQ veteran as defined in Section 1 of this 21 Act; or 22 (b) Any person who currently serves in the United States Armed Forces, 23 Reserves, or National Guard; and 24 (45) "Veteran-owned business" means a business: 25 (a) That is at least fifty-one percent (51%) unconditionally owned by one (1) or 26 more veterans; 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 25 RS BR 850 Page 17 of 48 XXXX 12/12/2024 2:48 PM Jacketed (b) In the case of a publicly owned business, in which at least fifty-one percent 1 (51%) of the stock is unconditionally owned by one (1) or more veterans; or 2 (c) That is a nonprofit business which is at least fifty-one percent (51%) 3 unconditionally managed by one (1) or more veterans. 4 Section 6. KRS 16.040 is amended to read as follows: 5 (1) The department shall consist of the commissioner and the number of officers, 6 individuals employed as a Trooper R Class, CVE R Class, and civilians, and shall 7 be organized in the manner as the commissioner from time to time determines. 8 (2) All persons appointed as officers shall at the time of their appointment: 9 (a) Be not less than twenty-one (21) years of age; 10 (b) Be of good moral character, and in good health; 11 (c) Be citizens of the United States and residents of the Commonwealth; and 12 (d) Possess; 13 1. A minimum of sixty (60) hours of credit, or an associate degree, from an 14 accredited college or university; 15 2. A high school diploma with at least two (2) years' experience in the 16 military or in law enforcement; or 17 3. A high school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) 18 diploma with additional experience established by the commissioner by 19 administrative regulation promulgated pursuant to KRS Chapter 13A. 20 However, any person appointed under this subparagraph who has not 21 completed the requirements of subparagraph 1. of this paragraph prior to 22 the end of probation as described in KRS 16.140(11) shall be 23 discharged. 24 (3) The commissioner shall prescribe minimum physical requirements for appointment 25 as an officer of the department and for individuals employed as a Trooper R Class 26 or CVE R Class, and shall conduct such tests and require such physical 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 25 RS BR 850 Page 18 of 48 XXXX 12/12/2024 2:48 PM Jacketed examinations as deemed necessary to determine the fitness and qualification of each 1 applicant. All other qualifications being equal, preference shall be given to veterans 2 of the Armed Forces of the United States in time of war, who: 3 (a) Were honorably discharged; or 4 (b) Have a discharge other than a bad conduct discharge or a dishonorable 5 discharge, unless that discharge was solely related to being qualified as a 6 discharged LGBTQ veteran or having a qualifying condition, and: 7 1. Have a qualifying condition as defined in Section 1 of this Act; or 8 2. Are discharged LGBTQ veterans as defined in Section 1 of this Act. 9 (4) The commissioner shall direct an investigation to be conducted in order to 10 determine an applicant's suitability for employment as an officer. The contents of 11 the investigation shall be subject to the Open Records Act, KRS 61.870 to 61.884 12 and KRS 61.991, except that the identity of any witness or informant involving 13 information relative to this investigation shall remain confidential. The identity of 14 any witness or informant shall be subject to the subpoena power of a court of 15 competent jurisdiction. 16 Section 7. KRS 40.650 is amended to read as follows: 17 (1) As used in this section: 18 (a) "Department" means the Department of Veterans' Affairs; and 19 (b) "Veteran" means a person who served in the active Armed Forces of the 20 United States, including the Coast Guard of the United States, and was 21 released, separated, discharged, or retired therefrom: 22 1. Under honorable or general conditions; or 23 2. Under conditions other than bad conduct or dishonorable, unless that 24 discharge was solely related to being qualified as a discharged 25 LGBTQ veteran or having a qualifying condition, and: 26 a. Has a qualifying condition; or 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 25 RS BR 850 Page 19 of 48 XXXX 12/12/2024 2:48 PM Jacketed b. Is a discharged LGBTQ veteran. 1 (2) A veterans' personal loan program trust fund is established to oversee and 2 administer funds under the Veterans' Personal Loan Program. 3 (3) (a) To be eligible for a loan under the Veterans' Personal Loan Program, an 4 applicant shall be a resident of, and living in, the Commonwealth on the date 5 of the application. 6 (b) 1. As used in this paragraph, "qualified" means having met loan conditions 7 established by an administrative regulation promulgated by the 8 department. However, the term of a loan shall not exceed ten (10) years. 9 2. The department shall cause the veterans' personal loan program trust 10 fund to lend a qualified veteran or deceased veteran's unremarried 11 spouse not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000), or a lesser amount 12 established by an administrative regulation promulgated by the 13 department, for: 14 a. The purchase of a home, business, or business property; 15 b. The education of the loan applicant or the loan applicant's spouse; 16 c. The payment of family medical or funeral expenses; or 17 d. The consolidation of debt. 18 3. The department shall cause the veterans' personal loan trust fund to lend 19 a qualified child of a veteran or parent or guardian of that child not more 20 than ten thousand dollars ($10,000), or a lesser amount established by an 21 administrative regulation promulgated by the department, for the 22 education of that child, who is under the age of twenty-seven (27), at a 23 university, junior college, vocational training institute, or nonpublic 24 school admitting children in preschool through grade twelve (12). 25 (c) No person shall receive a loan under this section in an amount that, when 26 added to the balance of the person's existing loan or loans under this section, 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 25 RS BR 850 Page 20 of 48 XXXX 12/12/2024 2:48 PM Jacketed would result in a total indebtedness to the veterans' personal loan program 1 trust fund of more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000), or a lesser amount 2 established by an administrative regulation promulgated by the department. 3 (4) (a) The veterans' personal loan program trust fund shall: 4 1. Execute necessary instruments; and 5 2. Collect principal and interest. 6 (b) The veterans' personal loan program trust fund may: 7 1. Compromise indebtedness; 8 2. Sue and be sued; 9 3. Post bonds; 10 4. Write off indebtedness that it considers uncollectible; 11 5. Exercise the rights of an owner and mortgagee if a loan provided under 12 this section is secured by a real estate mortgage; 13 6. Charge to a loan applicant loan expenses incurred under this section; 14 and 15 7. a. Receive state appropriations, gifts, grants, federal funds, and any 16 other funds both public and private. 17 b. Funds received, which are not necessary for the operation of the 18 veterans' personal loan program trust fund, shall remain with the 19 department to finance other department operations. 20 (5) The department shall promulgate administrative regulations necessary to carry out 21 the provisions of this section. 22 Section 8. KRS 42.0146 is amended to read as follows: 23 (1) For purposes of this section: 24 (a) "Disabled veteran" means an individual, domiciled in Kentucky, who has 25 served on active duty in the Armed Forces, has been separated therefrom: 26 1. Under honorable or general conditions; or[, ] 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 25 RS BR 850 Page 21 of 48 XXXX 12/12/2024 2:48 PM Jacketed 2. Under conditions other than bad conduct or dishonorable, unless that 1 discharge was solely related to being qualified as a discharged 2 LGBTQ veteran or having a qualifying condition, and: 3 a. Has a qualifying condition as defined in Section 1 of this Act; or 4 b. Is a discharged LGBTQ veteran as defined in Section 1 of this 5 Act; and 6 has established the present existence of a service-connected disability or is 7 receiving compensation, disability retirements benefits, or pension because of 8 a public statute administered by the United States Department of Veterans 9 Affairs or Department of Defense, or was terminated from active duty by the 10 Department of Defense because of a disability; and 11 (b) "Disabled veteran-owned business" means a business: 12 1. Where a disabled veteran has at least fifty-one percent (51%) ownership; 13 2. That is independently owned and operated; 14 3. That does not exceed the applicable size standards for its industry, as 15 determined by the United States Small Business Administration; 16 4. That has been owned and operated by the disabled veteran for at least a 17 full calendar or fiscal year; and 18 5. For which the disabled veteran has filed a business tax return consisting 19 of a full calendar or fiscal year. 20 (2) The Office of Equal Employment Opportunity and Contract Compliance shall 21 oversee a program that provides certification of a disabled veteran-owned business 22 in order to encourage growth among businesses owned by disabled veterans within 23 the state and assist those businesses in competing for work in other states that 24 require certification by a statewide body. This certification does not provide a 25 preference in state procurement, nor does it create a point system or set aside for 26 disabled veteran-owned businesses. 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 25 RS BR 850 Page 22 of 48 XXXX 12/12/2024 2:48 PM Jacketed (3) In order to apply for certification, a disabled veteran shall provide proof of his or 1 her disability. Proof shall be in the form of Department of Defense Form DD 214, 2 United States Department of Veterans Affairs disability letter, or other United 3 States Department of Veterans Affairs documentation establishing a service- 4 connected disability. 5 (4) The Finance and Administration Cabinet shall promulgate any administrative 6 regulations necessary to create and manage the disabled veteran-owned business 7 certification program, which may include but is not limited to additional 8 certification requirements, the application process, onsite visitation by the Office of 9 Equal Employment Opportunity and Contract Compliance, and recertification. 10 Section 9. KRS 148.0211 is amended to read as follows: 11 (1) Any veteran who: 12 (a) Has been a prisoner of war;[, ] 13 (b) 1. Was honorably discharged from the military forces; or[, ] 14 2. Was discharged under conditions other than bad conduct or 15 dishonorable, unless that discharge was solely related to being 16 qualified as a discharged LGBTQ veteran or having a qualifying 17 condition, and: 18 a. Has a qualifying condition as defined in Section 1 of this Act; or 19 b. Is a discharged LGBTQ veteran as defined in Section 1 of this 20 Act; and 21 (c) Is a resident of this state; 22 is exempt from camping fees in parks or campgrounds owned or operated by the 23 Commonwealth of Kentucky. 24 (2) To claim the exemption provided for by subsection (1) of this section, a veteran 25 shall forward: 26 (a) A copy of his or her separation form from military service; or 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 25 RS BR 850 Page 23 of 48 XXXX 12/12/2024 2:48 PM Jacketed (b) A letter from one (1) of the military forces or the United States Department of 1 Veterans Affairs; and 2 (c) Written proof of residence to the Department of Parks. The department shall 3 mail a card to the veteran certifying that he or she is exempt from the fees 4 specified in subsection (1) of this section. 5 Section 10. KRS 158.105 is amended to read as follows: 6 Each school district in this state shall admit to its twelve (12) grade school service, 7 without tuition, any veteran of the Armed Forces whose attendance was interrupted, 8 before completing the approved twelve (12) grade school course, because of induction or 9 enlistment in the Armed Forces. The veteran shall apply for reenrollment in the public 10 school system of the district of his or her residence not later than four (4) years after his 11 or her honorable discharge from the Armed Forces, separation from service with a 12 qualifying condition as defined in Section 1 of this Act with other than a bad conduct 13 or dishonorable discharge, unless that discharge was solely related to being qualified 14 as a discharged LGBTQ veteran as defined in Section 1 of this Act, or having a 15 qualifying condition, or separation from service as a discharged LGBTQ veteran with 16 other than a bad conduct or dishonorable discharge, unless that discharge was solely 17 related to being qualified as a discharged LGBTQ veteran or having a qualifying 18 condition. However, this is not intended to apply to enrollment by veterans in special 19 courses for which tuition is paid under the provisions of federal laws, or otherwise. 20 Section 11. KRS 158.140 is amended to read as follows: 21 (1) When a pupil in any public elementary school or any approved private or parochial 22 school completes the prescribed elementary program of studies, he or she is entitled 23 to a certificate of completion signed by the teacher or teachers under whom the 24 program was completed. The certificate shall entitle the pupil to admission into any 25 public high school. Any promotions or credits earned in attendance in any approved 26 public school are valid in any other public school to which a pupil may go, but the 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 25 RS BR 850 Page 24 of 48 XXXX 12/12/2024 2:48 PM Jacketed superintendent or principal of a school, as the case may be, may assign the pupil to 1 the class or grade to which the pupil is best suited. In case a pupil transfers from the 2 school of one (1) district to the school of another district, an assignment to a lower 3 grade or course shall not be made until the pupil has demonstrated that he or she is 4 not suited for the work in the grade or course to which he or she has been promoted. 5 (2) Upon successful completion of all state and local board requirements, the student 6 shall receive: 7 (a) A diploma indicating graduation from high school; or 8 (b) An alternative high school diploma if the student has a disability and has 9 completed a modified curriculum and an individualized course of study 10 pursuant to requirements established by the Kentucky Board of Education in 11 accordance with KRS 156.160. 12 (3) (a) The Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky, located at 13 Western Kentucky University, and the Craft Academy for Excellence in 14 Science and Mathematics, located at Morehead State University, may award a 15 diploma to any student who completes his or her high school program at the 16 respective academy. If the academy issues a diploma, the board of regents of 17 the host university shall provide to the commissioner of education a letter of 18 assurance that the program of study completed by its students, in combination 19 with previously earned secondary credits, meets the minimum high school 20 graduation requirements established by the Kentucky Board of Education 21 under KRS 156.160(1)(d). 22 (b) A local school district may award a joint diploma with the Gatton Academy of 23 Mathematics and Science in Kentucky or the Craft Academy for Excellence in 24 Science and Mathematics to any student who was enrolled in a district high 25 school and completed his or her high school program at the respective 26 academy. 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 25 RS BR 850 Page 25 of 48 XXXX 12/12/2024 2:48 PM Jacketed (c) The respective academy and the home school district shall ensure that student 1 transcripts from each institution accurately reflect the dual credit coursework. 2 (4) A local school board may award a diploma indicating graduation from high school 3 to any student posthumously with the high school class the student was expected to 4 graduate. 5 (5) (a) A local board of education shall award an authentic high school diploma to an 6 honorably discharged veteran, a veteran with a qualifying condition as 7 defined in Section 1 of this Act with other than a bad conduct or 8 dishonorable discharge, unless that discharge was solely related to being 9 qualified as a discharged LGBTQ veteran as defined in Section 1 of this 10 Act, or having a qualifying condition, or a discharged LGBTQ veteran with 11 other than a bad conduct or dishonorable discharge, unless that discharge 12 was solely related to being qualified as a discharged LGBTQ veteran or 13 having a qualifying condition, who did not complete high school prior to 14 being inducted into the United States Armed Forces during: 15 1. World War II, as defined in KRS 40.010; 16 2. The Korean conflict, as defined in KRS 40.010; or 17 3. The Vietnam War. As used in this paragraph, "Vietnam War" means the 18 period beginning August 5, 1964, and ending May 7, 1975. However, 19 for a member of the United States Armed Forces serving in Vietnam 20 prior to August 5, 1964, the period shall begin February 28, 1961. 21 (b) Upon recommendation of the commissioner, the Kentucky Board of 22 Education in consultation with the Kentucky Department of Veterans' Affairs 23 shall promulgate administrative regulations to establish the guidelines for 24 awarding the authentic diplomas referred to in paragraph (a) of this 25 subsection. 26 (6) Any high school graduation requirements adopted by a local board shall not include 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 25 RS BR 850 Page 26 of 48 XXXX 12/12/2024 2:48 PM Jacketed achieving a minimum score on a statewide assessment administered under KRS 1 158.6453. 2 (7) The Department of Education shall establish the requirements for a vocational 3 certificate of completion. A student who has returned to school after dropping out 4 shall receive counseling concerning the vocational program. A student who has 5 completed the requirements established for a vocational program shall receive a 6 vocational certificate of completion specifying the areas of competence. 7 Section 12. KRS 161.048 is amended to read as follows: 8 (1) The General Assembly hereby finds that: 9 (a) 1. There are persons who have distinguished themselves through a variety 10 of work and educational experiences that could enrich teaching in 11 Kentucky schools; 12 2. There are distinguished scholars who wish to become teachers in 13 Kentucky's public schools, but who did not pursue a teacher preparation 14 program; 15 3. There are persons who should be recruited to teach in Kentucky's public 16 schools as they have academic majors, strong verbal skills as shown by 17 a verbal ability test, and deep knowledge of content, characteristics that 18 empirical research identifies as important attributes of quality teachers; 19 4. There are persons who need to be recruited to teach in Kentucky schools 20 to meet the diverse cultural and educational needs of students; and 21 5. There should be alternative procedures to the traditional teacher 22 preparation programs that qualify persons as teachers; 23 (b) There are hereby established alternative certification program options as 24 described in subsections (2) to (10) of this section; 25 (c) It is the intent of the General Assembly that the Education Professional 26 Standards Board inform scholars, persons with exceptional work experience, 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 25 RS BR 850 Page 27 of 48 XXXX 12/12/2024 2:48 PM Jacketed and persons with diverse backgrounds who have potential as teachers of these 1 options and assist local boards of education in implementing these options and 2 recruitment of individuals who can enhance the education system in 3 Kentucky; 4 (d) The Education Professional Standards Board may reject the application of any 5 candidate who is judged as not meeting academic requirements comparable to 6 those for students enrolled in Kentucky teacher preparation programs; and 7 (e) The Education Professional Standards Board shall promulgate administrative 8 regulations establishing standards and procedures for the alternative 9 certification options described in this section. If the certification option 10 requires employment prior to certification, the procedures shall establish a 11 process for candidates to obtain an eligible for hire letter from the Education 12 Professional Standards Board. 13 (2) Option 1: Certification of a person with exceptional work experience. An individual 14 who has exceptional work experience shall receive a one (1) year provisional 15 certificate with approval by the Education Professional Standards Board of an 16 application by the individual under the following conditions: 17 (a) The application contains documentation of all education and work experience; 18 (b) The candidate has documented exceptional work experience in the area in 19 which certification is being sought; and 20 (c) The candidate possesses: 21 1. A bachelor's degree or a graduate degree; 22 2. A minimum cumulative grade point average of two and seventy-five 23 hundredths (2.75) on a four (4) point scale or a minimum grade point 24 average of three (3.0) on a four (4) point scale on the last thirty (30) 25 hours of credit completed, including undergraduate and graduate 26 coursework from a nationally or regionally accredited postsecondary 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 25 RS BR 850 Page 28 of 48 XXXX 12/12/2024 2:48 PM Jacketed institution; and 1 3. An academic major or a passing score on the academic content 2 assessment in the area in which certification is being sought by the 3 applicant as designated by the Education Professional Standards Board. 4 After successful completion of one (1) year of teaching and upon the 5 recommendation of the employing school district to the Education Professional 6 Standards Board, the candidate shall receive a professional certificate and shall be 7 subject to certificate renewal requirements the same as other teachers with a 8 professional certificate. 9 (3) Option 2: Certification through a local school district training program. A local 10 school district or group of school districts may seek approval for a training 11 program. The state-approved local school district training program is an alternative 12 to the college teacher preparation program as a means of acquiring teacher 13 certification for a teacher at any grade level. The training program may be offered 14 for all teaching certificates approved by the Education Professional Standards 15 Board, including interdisciplinary early childhood education, except for specific 16 certificates for teachers of exceptional children. To participate in a state-approved 17 local school district alternative training program, the candidate shall possess: 18 (a) A bachelor's degree or a graduate degree; 19 (b) A minimum cumulative grade point average of two and seventy-five 20 hundredths (2.75) on a four (4) point scale or a minimum grade point average 21 of three (3) on a four (4) point scale on the last thirty (30) hours of credit 22 completed, including undergraduate and graduate coursework from a 23 nationally or regionally accredited postsecondary institution; and 24 (c) A passing score on the academic content assessment in the area in which 25 certification is being sought by the applicant as designated by the Education 26 Professional Standards Board. To be eligible to take an academic content 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 25 RS BR 850 Page 29 of 48 XXXX 12/12/2024 2:48 PM Jacketed assessment, the applicant shall have completed a thirty (30) hour major in the 1 academic content area or five (5) years of experience in the academic content 2 area as approved by the Education Professional Standards Board. 3 An individual may participate in a local school district training program upon 4 meeting the participation requirements as established in this subsection and 5 approval by the Education Professional Standards Board of an application by the 6 individual. The candidate shall be issued a one (1) year provisional certificate by 7 the Education Professional Standards Board. After successful completion of the 8 local school district training program, one (1) year of teaching, and upon the 9 recommendation of the employing school district to the Education Professional 10 Standards Board, the candidate shall receive a professional certificate and shall be 11 subject to certificate renewal requirements the same as other teachers with a 12 professional certificate. 13 (4) Option 3: Certification of a professional from a postsecondary institution: A 14 candidate who possesses the following qualifications may receive a one (1) year 15 provisional certificate for teaching at any level: 16 (a) A master's degree or doctoral degree in the academic content area for which 17 certification is sought; and 18 (b) A minimum of five (5) years of full-time teaching experience, or its 19 equivalent, in the academic content area for which certification is sought in a 20 regionally or nationally accredited institution of higher education. 21 After successful completion of one (1) year of teaching and upon the 22 recommendation of the employing school district to the Education Professional 23 Standards Board, the candidate shall receive a professional certificate and shall be 24 subject to certificate renewal requirements the same as other teachers with 25 professional certificates. 26 (5) Option 4: Certification of an adjunct instructor. A person who has expertise in areas 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 25 RS BR 850 Page 30 of 48 XXXX 12/12/2024 2:48 PM Jacketed such as art, music, foreign language, drama, science, computer science, and other 1 specialty areas may be employed as an adjunct instructor in a part-time position by 2 a local board of education under KRS 161.046. 3 (6) Option 5: Certification of a veteran of the Armed Forces. The Education 4 Professional Standards Board shall issue a statement of eligibility, valid for five (5) 5 years, for teaching at the elementary, secondary, and secondary career technical 6 education levels to a veteran of the Armed Forces who was honorably discharged or 7 who was discharged with other than bad conduct or dishonorable discharge, 8 unless that discharge was solely related to being qualified as a discharged 9 LGBTQ veteran or having a qualifying condition, provided that veterans with 10 discharges that are not honorable have a qualifying condition as defined in 11 Section 1 of this Act or are discharged LGBTQ veterans as defined in Section 1 of 12 this Act, from active duty as evidenced by Defense Department Form 214 (DD 214) 13 or National Guard Bureau Form 22 or to a member of the Armed Services currently 14 serving with six (6) or more years of honorable service, including Reserves, 15 National Guard, or active duty. The candidate shall possess: 16 (a) A bachelor's degree or graduate degree; 17 (b) A minimum cumulative grade point average of two and seventy-five 18 hundredths (2.75) on a four (4) point scale or a minimum grade point average 19 of three (3) on a four (4) point scale on the last thirty (30) hours of credit 20 completed, including undergraduate and graduate coursework from a 21 nationally or regionally accredited postsecondary institution; and 22 (c) An academic major or a passing score on the academic content assessment in 23 the area in which certification is being sought by the applicant as designated 24 by the Education Professional Standards Board. 25 The eligible veteran shall receive a one (1) year provisional certificate with 26 approval by the Education Professional Standards Board of an application by the 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 25 RS BR 850 Page 31 of 48 XXXX 12/12/2024 2:48 PM Jacketed veteran. After successful completion of one (1) year of teaching and upon the 1 recommendation of the employing school district to the Education Professional 2 Standards Board, the veteran shall receive a professional certificate. 3 (7) Option 6: University alternative program. With approval of the Education 4 Professional Standards Board, a university may provide an alternative program that 5 enrolls students in a postbaccalaureate teacher preparation program concurrently 6 with employment as a teacher in a local school district. A student in the alternative 7 program shall be granted a one (1) year provisional certificate. The one (1) year 8 provisional certificate may be renewed four (4) additional years, and shall be 9 contingent upon the candidate's continued enrollment in the preparation program 10 and compliance with all requirements established by the board. A professional 11 certificate shall be issued upon the teacher candidate's successful completion of the 12 program and all academic content assessments in the specific teaching field of the 13 applicant as designated by the Education Professional Standards Board, and upon 14 the recommendation of the employing school district. 15 (8) Option 7: Certification of a person in a field other than education to teach in 16 elementary, middle, or secondary programs. This option shall not be limited to 17 teaching in shortage areas. An individual certified under provisions of this 18 subsection shall be issued a one (1) year provisional certificate, renewable for a 19 maximum of four (4) additional years with approval of the Education Professional 20 Standards Board. 21 (a) The candidate shall possess: 22 1. A bachelor's degree with a declared academic major in the area in which 23 certification is sought or a graduate degree in a field related to the area 24 in which certification is sought; and 25 2. A minimum cumulative grade point average of two and seventy-five 26 hundredths (2.75) on a four (4) point scale or a minimum grade point 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 25 RS BR 850 Page 32 of 48 XXXX 12/12/2024 2:48 PM Jacketed average of three (3) on a four (4) point scale on the last thirty (30) hours 1 of credit completed, including undergraduate and graduate coursework 2 from a nationally or regionally accredited postsecondary institution. 3 (b) Upon meeting the requirements of paragraph (a) of this subsection and 4 enrolling in an approved institute, the Education Professional Standards Board 5 shall issue the candidate a one (1) year provisional certificate or during the 6 first year of the certificate, the teacher shall complete the following: 7 1. For elementary teaching, the individual shall successfully complete a 8 two hundred forty (240) hour institute that is an equivalent of six (6) 9 hour days for eight (8) weeks. The providers and the content of the 10 institute shall be approved by the Education Professional Standards 11 Board. The content shall include research-based teaching strategies in 12 reading and math, research on child and adolescent growth, knowledge 13 of individual differences, including teaching exceptional children, and 14 methods of classroom management. 15 2. For middle and secondary teaching, the individual shall successfully 16 complete a one hundred eighty (180) hour institute that is an equivalent 17 of six (6) hour days for six (6) weeks. The providers and the content of 18 the institute shall be approved by the Education Professional Standards 19 Board and shall include research-based teaching strategies, research on 20 child and adolescent growth, knowledge of individual differences, 21 including teaching exceptional children, and methods of classroom 22 management. 23 (c) The candidate shall receive a professional certificate and shall be subject to 24 certificate renewal requirements the same as other teachers with a professional 25 certificate: 26 1. After meeting the requirements of this option; 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 25 RS BR 850 Page 33 of 48 XXXX 12/12/2024 2:48 PM Jacketed 2. After obtaining a passing score on the academic content assessment in 1 the area in which certification is being sought; 2 3. After successfully completing one (1) year of teaching; and 3 4. Upon the recommendation of the employing school district to the 4 Education Professional Standards Board. 5 (9) Option 8: Certification of a Teach for America participant to teach in elementary, 6 middle, or high schools. Nothing in this subsection shall conflict with the 7 participation criteria of the Teach for America program. An individual certified 8 under this subsection shall be issued a one (1) year provisional certificate. 9 (a) The candidate shall possess: 10 1. A bachelor's degree; 11 2. A successful completion of the summer training institute and ongoing 12 professional development required by Teach for America, including 13 instruction in goal-oriented, standards-based instruction, diagnosing and 14 assessing students, lesson planning and instructional delivery, classroom 15 management, maximizing learning for diverse students, and teaching 16 methodologies; and 17 3. A passing score on the academic content assessment in the area in which 18 certification is being sought as designated by the Education Professional 19 Standards Board. 20 (b) The provisional certificate granted under this subsection may be renewed two 21 (2) times with a recommendation of the superintendent and approval of the 22 Education Professional Standards Board. 23 (c) A Teach for America participant shall be issued a professional certificate 24 upon the participant's successful completion of one (1) year of teaching and 25 the assessments relating to teaching of subject matter required by the 26 Education Professional Standards Board under KRS 161.030, and upon the 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 25 RS BR 850 Page 34 of 48 XXXX 12/12/2024 2:48 PM Jacketed recommendation of the employing school district to the Education 1 Professional Standards Board. 2 (d) Notwithstanding any statute or administrative regulation to the contrary, a 3 teacher certified under this subsection shall have ten (10) years to complete a 4 master's degree or fifth year program, or the equivalent as specified by the 5 Education Professional Standards Board in administrative regulation. 6 (10) Option 9: Expedited certification of a person to teach at any grade level through a 7 cooperative program. With approval of the Education Professional Standards 8 Board, a college or university may partner with a school district to develop an 9 expedited certification program that results in a bachelor's degree and initial 10 certification within three (3) school years. 11 (a) The program shall: 12 1. Include a residency or paraprofessional component which employs the 13 person within the participating district for the duration of the program to 14 gain work experience to supplement the expedited program and reduced 15 coursework; 16 2. Utilize experienced teachers employed by the district to provide 17 coaching and to mentor the candidates; and 18 3. Be designed to meet the needs of the participating district and may 19 include an emphasis in developing a teacher pipeline for the district's 20 students, improving the numbers of underrepresented populations 21 among the district's workforce, or focusing on increasing the number of 22 teachers with certification areas that are in high demand. 23 (b) A school district entering into a cooperative partnership shall ensure the 24 availability of funding for each candidate employed within the district in the 25 residency or paraprofessional program for the duration of the candidate's 26 participation in the program. However, nothing in this subsection shall be 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 25 RS BR 850 Page 35 of 48 XXXX 12/12/2024 2:48 PM Jacketed interpreted as requiring the district to continue employing the candidate 1 during the program or after the candidate has received initial certification. 2 (c) A person who has begun a traditional path or another option for certification 3 shall be eligible to transfer into this option if the person meets the program's 4 requirements. 5 (d) If a school district participating in a cooperative partnership determines to end 6 the partnership, the district shall no longer accept new candidates to the 7 program but shall continue the partnership until the district's employed 8 candidates for Option 9 certification complete the program or are no longer 9 employed by the district. 10 (11) A public school teacher certified under subsections (2) to (10) of this section shall 11 be placed on the local district salary schedule for the rank corresponding to the 12 degree held by the teacher. 13 (12) Subsections (1) to (3) of this section notwithstanding, a candidate who possesses 14 the following qualifications may receive certification for teaching programs for 15 exceptional students: 16 (a) An out-of-state license to teach exceptional students; and 17 (b) A bachelor's or master's degree in the certification area or closely related area 18 for which certification is sought. 19 Section 13. KRS 164.512 is amended to read as follows: 20 (1) The child of a veteran, regardless of age, who has acquired a disability as a direct 21 result of the veteran's service shall be eligible to receive a waiver of tuition upon 22 admission to any state-supported university, college, or vocational training institute. 23 (2) To be entitled to benefits under this section, the child claiming benefits must have 24 acquired a disability determined by the United States Department of Veterans 25 Affairs as compensable. 26 (3) The parent-child relationship must be shown by birth certificate, marriage 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 25 RS BR 850 Page 36 of 48 XXXX 12/12/2024 2:48 PM Jacketed certificate, or other documentary evidence. 1 (4) To entitle a child to benefit under this section, the member of the National Guard or 2 Reserve Component veteran living or deceased must be a resident or, if deceased, 3 have been a resident of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and must have served on 4 state active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training or the veteran 5 must have served on active duty with the Armed Forces of the United States, and 6 the discharge must have been: 7 (a) Under honorable conditions; or 8 (b) Under conditions other than bad conduct or dishonorable, unless that 9 discharge was solely related to being qualified as a discharged LGBTQ 10 veteran or having a qualifying condition, and: 11 1. The veteran has a qualifying condition as defined in Section 1 of this 12 Act; or 13 2. The veteran is a discharged LGBTQ veteran as defined in Section 1 of 14 this Act.[ The veteran must be a resident or, if deceased, must have been 15 a resident of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.] 16 Section 14. KRS 164.515 is amended to read as follows: 17 (1) The spouse, regardless of age, and any child, stepchild, or orphan, under the age of 18 twenty-six (26), of a permanently and totally disabled member of the Kentucky 19 National Guard or Reserve Component injured while on state active duty, active 20 duty for training, or inactive duty training, or a permanently and totally disabled 21 war veteran, or a one hundred percent (100%) service-connected disabled veteran 22 regardless of wartime service, or prisoner of war or member of the Armed Services 23 declared missing in action shall not be required to pay any matriculation or tuition 24 fees upon his or her admission to any state-supported institution of higher 25 education or to any state-supported vocational training school for a period not in 26 excess of forty-five (45) months in order to obtain a diploma, nor in excess of the 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 25 RS BR 850 Page 37 of 48 XXXX 12/12/2024 2:48 PM Jacketed lesser number of months required for a certificate of completion. 1 (2) To be entitled to benefits under this section the parent or stepparent of the child 2 claiming benefits if living must be rated permanently and totally disabled for 3 pension purposes or one hundred percent (100%) disabled for compensation 4 purposes by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of 5 Defense. If the veteran is deceased, the claim to benefits is to be based on the rating 6 held by the veteran at the time of death or if a prisoner of war or missing in action, 7 must have been declared as such by the Department of Defense. Members of the 8 Kentucky National Guard must be rated permanently and totally disabled as 9 provided in KRS Chapter 342. The parent's, stepparent's, or spouse's service and 10 rating must be evidenced by certification from the records of the Kentucky 11 Department of Military Affairs, United States Department of Veterans Affairs, or 12 the Department of Defense of the United States. 13 (3) The parent-child relationship must be shown by birth certificate, legal adoption 14 papers, marriage certificate, or other documentary evidence. A stepchild must be a 15 member of the veteran's household. The spousal relationship must be shown by a 16 marriage certificate or other documentary evidence. 17 (4) To entitle a spouse, child, stepchild, or orphan to benefit under this section the 18 disabled member of the National Guard or Reserve Component veteran living or 19 deceased must be a resident or, if deceased, have been a resident of the 20 Commonwealth of Kentucky, and must have served on state active duty, active 21 duty for training, or inactive duty training or active duty with the Armed Forces of 22 the United States, and his or her discharge must have been: 23 (a) Under honorable conditions; or 24 (b) Under conditions other than bad conduct or dishonorable, unless that 25 discharge was solely related to being qualified as a discharged LGBTQ 26 veteran or having a qualifying condition, and: 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 25 RS BR 850 Page 38 of 48 XXXX 12/12/2024 2:48 PM Jacketed 1. The veteran has a qualifying condition as defined in Section 1 of this 1 Act; or 2 2. The veteran is a discharged LGBTQ veteran as defined in Section 1 of 3 this Act.[ He must be a resident or, if deceased, have been a resident of 4 the Commonwealth of Kentucky.] 5 (5) No provision of this section shall serve to deny these benefits to an eligible spouse, 6 child, stepchild, or orphan, who enlists, or who fulfills a military obligation, in the 7 Armed Forces of the United States and is discharged under honorable conditions; 8 the period of time spent in the military service to be compensated by like time, 9 beyond the age of twenty-six (26) years if required, but not in excess of the period 10 of enrollment as set forth in subsection (1) of this section. 11 (6) The marriage of an eligible child, stepchild, or orphan, shall not serve to deny full 12 entitlement to the benefits provided in this section. 13 Section 15. KRS 186.041 is amended to read as follows: 14 (1) Each initial and renewal application by a person who meets the criteria of paragraph 15 (a) of this section and each initial application by a person who meets the criteria of 16 paragraph (b), (c), [or ](d), or (e) of this section for a special military license plate 17 shall be accompanied by proof as set forth in subsection (10) of this section that the 18 person is associated with the United States Army, United States Navy, United 19 States Air Force, United States Marine Corps, United States Space Force, United 20 States Coast Guard, United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, Kentucky National 21 Guard, Merchant Marines with service between December 7, 1941, and August 15, 22 1945, or Civil Air Patrol in one (1) of the following ways: 23 (a) A member of the Armed Forces of the United States; 24 (b) A retired member; 25 (c) A member of the National Guard or Reserve component who has completed 26 his or her term of service, or has retired with a minimum of twenty (20) years 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 25 RS BR 850 Page 39 of 48 XXXX 12/12/2024 2:48 PM Jacketed of service;[ or] 1 (d) A veteran who: 2 1. Received a discharge under: 3 a. Honorable conditions[, or the veteran's surviving spouse,]; or 4 b. Conditions other than bad conduct or dishonorable, unless that 5 discharge was solely related to being qualified as a discharged 6 LGBTQ veteran or having a qualifying condition, and: 7 i. Has a qualifying condition as defined in Section 1 of this 8 Act; or 9 ii. Is a discharged LGBTQ veteran as defined in Section 1 of 10 this Act; and[:] 11 2. a.[1.] Performed one hundred eighty (180) days of active-duty service; 12 b.[2.] Received an early release due to injuries or other medical 13 condition, or at the convenience of the service; 14 c.[3.] Received a hardship discharge; 15 d.[4.] Was separated or retired due to a disability; or 16 e.[5.] Was determined to have a service-connected disability incurred 17 during the enlistment; or 18 (e) The surviving spouse of an individual who meets the criteria of paragraph 19 (a), (b), (c), or (d) of this subsection. 20 (2) The member, retired member, veteran, reservist, or his or her spouse who is eligible 21 under subsection (9) of this section may purchase an unlimited number of special 22 military-related license plates described in subsection (1) of this section, annually 23 for vehicles they own or lease. A disabled veterans license plate shall expire on July 24 31. 25 (3) A recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, or Air Force Cross 26 shall be eligible for a Service Cross license plate upon submission of an application 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 25 RS BR 850 Page 40 of 48 XXXX 12/12/2024 2:48 PM Jacketed to the Kentucky Department of Veterans' Affairs. The recipient shall be required to 1 include with the initial application for a Service Cross license plate a copy of the 2 general order that authorized the award and the recipient's Department of Defense 3 form number 214. The Department of Veterans' Affairs shall verify the 4 documentation submitted with the application for a Service Cross license plate, and 5 if the individual applying for the plate is confirmed to be a recipient of the 6 Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, or Air Force Cross, the Department of 7 Veterans' Affairs shall submit the applicant's name to the Transportation Cabinet's 8 Division of Motor Vehicle Licensing not later than September 1 preceding the year 9 that the Service Cross license plate is to be initially issued or renewed. When the 10 Service Cross license plate is ready, the plate shall be sent to the county clerk in the 11 county of the applicant's residence. The Transportation Cabinet's Division of Motor 12 Vehicle Licensing shall inform each applicant in writing that the Service Cross 13 license plate is ready and may be picked up at the county clerk's office. The 14 Transportation Cabinet shall prescribe the type of application form required by this 15 subsection and shall supply the Department of Veterans' Affairs with the 16 application form required by this subsection. 17 (4) A person who is a former prisoner of the enemy during World War I, World War II, 18 the Korean War, or the Vietnam War, or the spouse of a deceased former prisoner 19 of war, shall be eligible for a former prisoner of war license plate by submitting 20 written proof from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or other 21 appropriate federal agency stating the period of time the person or person's spouse 22 was a prisoner of war. If a former prisoner of war dies with a vehicle licensed as 23 authorized under this section, the person's surviving spouse may retain the license 24 plate for use on the same vehicle or on another vehicle that complies with KRS 25 186.164(7). 26 (5) A person who is certified by the Kentucky chapter of the Pearl Harbor Survivors 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 25 RS BR 850 Page 41 of 48 XXXX 12/12/2024 2:48 PM Jacketed Association as being a survivor of the attack on Pearl Harbor shall be eligible for a 1 Pearl Harbor license plate and shall be required to attach to the special military- 2 related license plate application written evidence from the Kentucky chapter of the 3 Pearl Harbor Survivors Association that the person: 4 (a) Was a member of the United States Armed Forces on December 7, 1941; 5 (b) Was on station on December 7, 1941, during the hours of 7:55 a.m. to 9:45 6 a.m., Hawaii time, at Pearl Harbor, the island of Oahu, or offshore at a 7 distance not to exceed three (3) miles; 8 (c) Was discharged honorably from the United States Armed Forces; and 9 (d) Is certified by the Kentucky chapter of the Pearl Harbor Survivors 10 Association. 11 (6) A person who is eligible to receive a Gold Star Mothers, Gold Star Fathers, or Gold 12 Star Spouses license plate under KRS 186.164(15)(a) may receive up to two (2) 13 Gold Star Mothers, Gold Star Fathers, or Gold Star Spouses license plates free of 14 charge and may purchase additional license plates by paying the same fee as for 15 special military-related plates issued under KRS 186.162(2)(d) annually for 16 vehicles he or she owns or leases. 17 (7) The surviving spouse of a Purple Heart recipient, or a Kentucky National Guard 18 member or a retired member, who possessed a vehicle licensed with the Purple 19 Heart recipient special license plate or the Kentucky National Guard special license 20 plate, may retain the license plate for use on the same vehicle or another vehicle 21 that complies with KRS 186.164(7). The surviving spouse may renew the license 22 plate indefinitely, provided the appropriate registration fee is paid annually. 23 (8) A person who is attending or who is a graduate of the United States Air Force 24 Academy, the United States Military Academy, the United States Naval Academy, 25 the United States Coast Guard Academy, or the United States Merchant Marine 26 Academy shall be eligible for a special military service academy license plate. A 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 25 RS BR 850 Page 42 of 48 XXXX 12/12/2024 2:48 PM Jacketed special military service academy license plate under this subsection shall use the 1 same plate template as the standard special military license plate under subsection 2 (1) of this section, with stickers to identify the various service academies. The 3 Transportation Cabinet shall promulgate administrative regulations pursuant to 4 KRS Chapter 13A to establish the proof required to demonstrate current attendance 5 at or graduation from a service academy. An eligible applicant may receive up to 6 two (2) special military service academy license plates. 7 (9) (a) The legally married spouse of a member of the Armed Forces of the United 8 States who meets the criteria for a special military license plate under 9 subsection (1) of this section shall be eligible for a special military license 10 plate. A special military license plate under this subsection shall use the same 11 template as the standard special military license plate under subsection (1) of 12 this section, with a sticker identifying the plate as that of a military spouse. 13 (b) An applicant who is eligible for a special military license plate under this 14 subsection shall present as proof of eligibility an original or copy of his or her 15 marriage certificate establishing marriage to the member of the Armed Forces 16 of the United States and an original or copy of one (1) of the following: 17 1. His or her unexpired DD-1173 form; or 18 2. Any identification document outlined in subsection (10) of this section 19 issued to his or her spouse. 20 (10) Prior to receiving a special military-related plate requested under subsection (1) of 21 this section, the applicant shall present as proof of eligibility, an original or copy of 22 his or her: 23 (a) Unexpired Veteran Identification Card or Veteran Health Identification Card 24 issued by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs; 25 (b) DD-2, DD-214, DD-256, DD-257, or NGB-22 form; or 26 (c) Unexpired Geneva Conventions Identification Card issued by the United 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 25 RS BR 850 Page 43 of 48 XXXX 12/12/2024 2:48 PM Jacketed States Department of Defense. 1 Section 16. KRS 186.163 is amended to read as follows: 2 (1) The Transportation Cabinet shall produce special military unit license plates for 3 owners and lessees of motor vehicles, motorcycles, and recreational vehicles who 4 are associated with the following units of the United States military: 5 (a) The V Corps; 6 (b) The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault); 7 (c) The 5th Special Forces Group; 8 (d) The 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment; 9 (e) The United States Army Human Resources Command; 10 (f) The United States Army Recruiting Command; or 11 (g) The United States Army Cadet Command. 12 (2) Each initial and renewal application for a special military unit license plate by a 13 person who meets the criteria of paragraph (a) or (b) of this subsection and each 14 initial application by a person who meets the criteria of paragraph (c), [or ](d), or 15 (e) of this subsection shall be accompanied by proof as set out in subsection (3) of 16 this section that the person is associated with one (1) of the military units identified 17 in subsection (1) of this section in one (1) of the following ways: 18 (a) A member of the Armed Forces of the United States, the member's spouse, or 19 the member's dependent child; 20 (b) A Department of Defense civilian employee assigned to support one (1) of the 21 military units, the employee's spouse, or the employee's dependent child; 22 (c) A retired member;[ or] 23 (d) A veteran who: 24 1. Received a discharge under: 25 a. Honorable conditions[, or the veteran's surviving spouse,]; or 26 b. Conditions other than bad conduct or dishonorable, unless that 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 25 RS BR 850 Page 44 of 48 XXXX 12/12/2024 2:48 PM Jacketed discharge was solely related to being qualified as a discharged 1 LGBTQ veteran or having a qualifying condition, and: 2 i. Has a qualifying condition as defined in Section 1 of this 3 Act; or 4 ii. Is a discharged LGBTQ veteran as defined in Section 1 of this 5 Act; and[:] 6 2. a.[1.] Performed one hundred eighty (180) days of active military 7 service; 8 b.[2.] Received an early release due to injury or other medical condition, 9 or at the convenience of the service; 10 c.[3.] Received a hardship discharge; 11 d.[4.] Was separated or retired due to a disability; or 12 e.[5.] Was determined to have a service-connected disability incurred 13 during the enlistment; or 14 (e) The surviving spouse of an individual who meets the criteria of paragraph 15 (a), (b), (c), or (d) of this subsection. 16 (3) (a) Prior to receiving a special military unit license plate requested under this 17 section, the member shall present the following as proof of eligibility an 18 original or copy of his or her: 19 1. Unexpired Veteran Identification Card or Veteran Health Identification 20 Card issued by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs; 21 2. DD-2, DD-214, DD-256, or DD-257 form; or 22 3. Unexpired Geneva Conventions Identification Card issued by the United 23 States Department of Defense. 24 (b) A civilian employee of the Department of Defense who meets the criteria for 25 a special military unit license plate under this section shall be eligible for a 26 special military unit license plate and shall present as proof of eligibility an 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 25 RS BR 850 Page 45 of 48 XXXX 12/12/2024 2:48 PM Jacketed original or copy of one (1) of the following: 1 1. His or her current SF 50 form; or 2 2. Other Department of Defense documentation showing current 3 employment. 4 (c) The legally married spouse of a member of the Armed Forces of the United 5 States or of a Department of Defense employee who meets the criteria for a 6 special military unit license plate under this section shall be eligible for a 7 special military unit license plate and shall present as proof of eligibility an 8 original or copy of his or her marriage certificate establishing marriage to the 9 member of the Armed Forces of the United States or to the Department of 10 Defense employee and an original or copy of one (1) of the following: 11 1. His or her unexpired DD-1173 form; 12 2. Any identification document outlined in paragraph (a) of this subsection 13 issued to his or her spouse; 14 3. A current SF 50 form issued to his or her spouse; or 15 4. Other Department of Defense documentation showing current 16 employment of his or her spouse. 17 (d) The dependent child of a member of the Armed Forces of the United States or 18 of a Department of Defense civilian employee who meets the criteria for a 19 special military unit license plate under this section shall be eligible for a 20 special military unit license plate and shall present as proof of eligibility 21 establishing that he or she is a dependent child an original or copy of his or 22 her birth certificate or certificate of adoption, a valid operator's license, and an 23 original or copy of one (1) of the following: 24 1. Any identification document outlined in paragraph (a) of this subsection 25 issued to his or her parent; 26 2. A current SF 50 form issued to his or her parent; or 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 25 RS BR 850 Page 46 of 48 XXXX 12/12/2024 2:48 PM Jacketed 3. Other Department of Defense documentation showing current 1 employment of his or her parent. 2 (4) The member, retired member, civilian employee, spouse, or dependent child may 3 purchase an unlimited number of special military unit license plates described in 4 subsection (1) of this section annually for vehicles they own or lease. 5 Section 17. KRS 186.416 is amended to read as follows: 6 (1) If a resident of the Commonwealth currently serving in the United States military is 7 stationed or assigned to a base or other location outside the boundaries of the 8 Commonwealth, the resident, or the resident's spouse or dependents, may: 9 (a) Update his or her license electronically or by mail to include a motorcycle 10 operator's endorsement on an existing operator's license; or 11 (b) Renew a Class D operator's license issued under this section by mail. If the 12 resident, or his or her spouse or dependents, was issued an "under 21" 13 operator's license, upon the date of the license holder's twenty-first birthday, 14 the "under 21" operator's license may be renewed for an operator's license that 15 no longer contains the outdated reference to being "under 21." 16 (2) A resident of the Commonwealth renewing an operator's license by mail under 17 subsection (1) of this section may have a personal designee apply to the cabinet on 18 behalf of the resident to renew the resident's operator's license. An operator's 19 license for which an endorsement is being added electronically or by mail, or which 20 is being renewed by mail under subsection (1) of this section shall be issued a 21 license bearing the applicant's historical photo if there is a photo on file. If there is 22 no photo on file, the license shall be issued without a photograph and shall show in 23 the space provided for the photograph the legend "valid without photo and 24 signature." 25 (3) (a) 1. If a resident of the Commonwealth has been serving in the United States 26 military stationed or assigned to a base or other location outside the 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 25 RS BR 850 Page 47 of 48 XXXX 12/12/2024 2:48 PM Jacketed boundaries of the Commonwealth and has allowed his or her operator's 1 license to expire, he or she shall, within ninety (90) days of returning to 2 the Commonwealth, be permitted to renew his or her license without 3 having to take a written test or road test. 4 2. The spouse or dependent of a person identified in subparagraph 1. of 5 this paragraph shall be afforded the same consideration identified in that 6 subparagraph regarding the renewal of an expired operator's license. 7 (b) A person who meets the criteria in paragraph (a) of this subsection shall not 8 be convicted or cited for driving on an expired license prior to license renewal 9 during the ninety (90) days after the person's return to the Commonwealth if 10 the person can provide proof of his or her out-of-state service and dates of 11 assignment. 12 (c) A person who meets the criteria in paragraph (a) of this subsection and who 13 does not renew his or her license within ninety (90) days of returning to the 14 Commonwealth shall be required to comply with the provisions of this 15 chapter governing renewal of a license that has expired. 16 (d) If a resident of the Commonwealth has been issued an "under 21" or "under 17 21 CDL" operator's license and the person is unable to renew the license on 18 the date of his or her twenty-first birthday, the "under 21" or "under 21 CDL" 19 operator's license shall be valid for ninety (90) days beyond the date of the 20 person's twenty-first birthday. 21 (4) (a) Any person who served in the active Armed Forces of the United States, 22 including the Coast Guard, and any member of the National Guard or Reserve 23 Component who completed the member's term of service and was released, 24 separated, discharged, or retired therefrom with:[under either] 25 1. An honorable discharge;[ or ] 26 2. A general under honorable conditions discharge; or 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 25 RS BR 850 Page 48 of 48 XXXX 12/12/2024 2:48 PM Jacketed 3. A discharge other than a bad conduct or dishonorable discharge, 1 unless that discharge was solely related to being qualified as a 2 discharged LGBTQ veteran or having a qualifying condition, and: 3 a. Has a qualifying condition as defined in Section 1 of this Act; or 4 b. Is a discharged LGBTQ veteran as defined in Section 1 of this 5 Act; 6 may, at the time of initial application or application for renewal or duplicate, 7 request that an operator's license or a personal identification card issued under 8 this chapter bear the word "veteran" on the face or the back of the license or 9 personal identification card. 10 (b) The designation shall be in a style and format considered appropriate by the 11 Transportation Cabinet. Prior to obtaining a designation requested under this 12 subsection, the applicant shall present to the cabinet as proof of eligibility, an 13 original or copy of his or her: 14 1. Unexpired Veteran Identification Card or Veteran Health Identification 15 Card issued by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs; 16 2. DD-2, DD-214, DD-256, DD-257, or NGB-22 form; or 17 3. Unexpired Geneva Conventions Identification Card issued by the United 18 States Department of Defense. 19 The cabinet shall not be liable for fraudulent or misread forms presented. 20 (5) The cabinet shall promulgate administrative regulations in accordance with KRS 21 Chapter 13A to establish forms and procedures for facilitating the addition of a 22 motorcycle endorsement to an existing operator's license, both electronically and by 23 mail, in accordance with subsection (1) of this section. 24