Kentucky Laws Taking Effect in July 2022
Written by Cooper & Friedman PLLC on July 22, 2022
To follow the law, you need to know and understand the law. Sometimes, this is more easily said than done, especially when considering the high number of new laws passed each year. Just this year the Kentucky General Assembly passed 234 bills, many of which have recently taken effect on July 14th.
These new laws cover a number of legislative topics, including tougher sentencing for fentanyl traffickers, death penalty reforms, and changes to educational policies. Below we’ve outlined some of the more notable laws, but for additional information check out this list of new state laws provided from the Kentucky General Assembly.
Crimes During Emergencies
Senate bill 179 is a law aimed at increasing the penalties for certain crimes when those crimes are committed during or in the area of a natural or man-made disaster. In the wake of the devastating western Kentucky tornado disaster late last year, this law is especially timely and important. Basically, crimes like theft and burglary will result in an enhanced penalty if committed during a state of emergency and in the area of a man-made or natural disaster. The last thing recovering communities need is a surge in crime, and this law looks to prevent that.
Dalton’s Law
The opioid crisis is hitting Kentucky hard. From 2020 to 2021, the bluegrass state experienced a 14.5% increase in drug overdoses. In their 2021 Kentucky Drug Overdose Report, the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet attributed this rise in overdose deaths to an increased use of fentanyl. Fentanyl is an extremely deadly synthetic opioid that is commonly used to lace other drugs such as heroin. Often this is done without the user’s knowledge, resulting in inaccurate dosages and a general increase in the risk of overdose.
To combat this rise in overdoses, Kentucky has passed “Dalton’s Law”. The law is named after Dalton Bishop, who passed away from a Fentanyl overdose in 2020 at the young age of 22. Dalton’s law takes aim at traffickers of the drug by increasing the minimum amount of sentence to be served from 50% to 85%. This means that traffickers must serve at least 85% of their sentence before they are eligible for any kind of parole or early release programs. Legislators hope that the heavier sentencing can dissuade traffickers from selling fentanyl in Kentucky.
Swatting
The term “swatting” is a relatively new term that refers to the fabrication and false reporting of an imaginary crime specifically meant to draw police and other first responders to a given location. Often this means fake incidents will be reported at the home of the victim in order to harass them with a sudden emergency response.
This is an extremely dangerous form of criminal harassment, since law enforcement are usually under the impression that a violent crime is underway at the victim’s address, prompting an elevated and potentially deadly response. This is why the state of Kentucky has decided to elevate the act of swatting to a class D felony. Lawmakers hope that the added severity and heavier sentencing will make potential swatters think twice before putting others in danger.
To stay up to date on future Kentucky laws and other legal information, make sure to check out our blog.
If you or someone you love has fallen victim to any of the crimes listed above then the experienced team at Cooper and Friedman PLLC is here to help. We have decades of experience fighting for the rights of victims throughout Louisville, Kentucky and across the entire state. You can always be sure that our attorneys will be responsive to your calls and inquiries. To schedule a free case consultation with an experienced injury attorney, give us a call at 502-459-7555.