ASSAULT AND RELATED OFFENSES

KRS tit. L, ch. 508

in effect

KRS 508.010 Assault in the first degree

508.010. Assault in the first degree (1) A person is guilty of assault in the first degree when: (a) He intentionally causes serious physical injury to another person by means of a deadly weapon or a dangerous instrument; or (b) Under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life he wantonly engages in conduct which creates a grave risk of death to another and thereby causes serious physical injury to another person. (2) Assault in the first degree is a Class B felony. Effective: January 1, 1975 History: Created 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 406, sec. 65, effective January 1, 1975.

KRS 508.020 Assault in the second degree

508.020. Assault in the second degree (1) A person is guilty of assault in the second degree when: (a) He intentionally causes serious physical injury to another person; or (b) He intentionally causes physical injury to another person by means of a deadly weapon or a dangerous instrument; or (c) He wantonly causes serious physical injury to another person by means of a deadly weapon or a dangerous instrument. (2) Assault in the second degree is a Class C felony. Effective: January 1, 1975 History: Created 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 406, sec. 66, effective January 1, 1975.

KRS 508.022 Certain assault convictions operate as applications for protective orders

508.022. Certain assault convictions operate as applications for protective orders (1) The entering of a judgment of conviction for assault in the first degree or assault in the second degree, or for a felony criminal attempt, conspiracy, facilitation, or solicitation to commit assault in the first degree or assault in the second degree, shall operate as an application for an order of protection issued under KRS Chapter 403 or an interpersonal protective order issued under KRS Chapter 456, as applicable, if the relationship between the defendant and the victim meets the definition of: (a) Family member or member of an unmarried couple as defined in KRS 403.720; or (b) Dating relationship as defined in KRS 456.010; unless the victim requests otherwise. (2) Notwithstanding the provisions of KRS Chapter 403 or 456, as applicable: (a) An order of protection or an interpersonal protective order requested under this section may be issued by the court that entered the judgment of conviction; (b) The judgment of conviction shall constitute sufficient cause for entry of the order without the necessity of further proof being taken; and (c) The order may be effective for up to ten (10) years, with further renewals in increments of up to ten (10) years. Effective: July 15, 2026 History: Created 2026 Ky. Acts ch. 49, sec. 1, effective July 15, 2026.

KRS 508.025 Assault in the third degree

508.025. Assault in the third degree (1) A person is guilty of assault in the third degree when the actor: (a) Recklessly, with a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument, or intentionally causes or attempts to cause physical injury to: 1. A state, county, city, or federal peace officer; 2. An employee of a detention facility, or state residential treatment facility or state staff secure facility for residential treatment which provides for the care, treatment, or detention of a juvenile charged with or adjudicated delinquent because of a public offense or as a youthful offender; 3. A healthcare provider as defined in KRS 311.821 or other person employed by or under contract with a health clinic, doctor's office, dental office, long-term care facility, hospital, or a hospital-owned or affiliate outpatient facility, if the event occurs in or on the premises of a jail, penitentiary, local or state correctional or detention facility, including a facility which provides for the care, treatment, or detention of a juvenile charged with or adjudicated delinquent because of a public offense or as a youthful offender, health clinic, doctor's office, dental office, long-term care facility, hospital, or a hospital-owned or affiliate outpatient facility; 4. An employee of the Department for Community Based Services employed as a social worker to provide direct client services, if the event occurs while the worker is performing job-related duties; 5. Paid or volunteer emergency medical services personnel certified or licensed pursuant to KRS Chapter 311A, if the event occurs while personnel are performing job-related duties; 6. A paid or volunteer member of an organized fire department, if the event occurs while the member is performing job-related duties; 7. Paid or volunteer rescue squad personnel affiliated with the Division of Emergency Management of the Department of Military Affairs or a local disaster and emergency services organization pursuant to KRS Chapter 39F, if the event occurs while personnel are performing job- related duties; 8. A probation and parole officer; 9. A transportation officer appointed by a county fiscal court or legislative body of a consolidated local government, urban-county government, or charter government to transport inmates when the county jail or county correctional facility is closed while the transportation officer is performing job-related duties; 10. A public or private elementary or secondary school or school district classified or certified employee, school bus driver, or other school employee acting in the course and scope of the employee's employment; or 11. A public or private elementary or secondary school or school district volunteer acting in the course and scope of that person's volunteer service for the school or school district; (b) Being a person confined in a detention facility, or a juvenile in a state residential treatment facility or state staff secure facility for residential treatment which provides for the care, treatment, or detention of a juvenile charged with or adjudicated delinquent because of a public offense or as a youthful offender, inflicts physical injury upon or throws or causes feces, or urine, or other bodily fluid to be thrown upon an employee of the facility; or (c) Intentionally causes a person, whom the actor knows or reasonably should know to be a peace officer discharging official duties, to come into contact with saliva, vomit, mucus, blood, seminal fluid, urine, or feces without the consent of the peace officer. (2) (a) For a violation of subsection (1)(a) of this section, assault in the third degree is a Class D felony, unless the offense occurs during a declared emergency as defined by KRS 39A.020 arising from a natural or man-made disaster, within the area covered by the emergency declaration, and within the area impacted by the disaster, in which case it is a Class C felony. (b) For a violation of subsection (1)(b) of this section, assault in the third degree is a Class D felony. (c) For violations of subsection (1)(c) of this section, assault in the third degree is a Class B misdemeanor, unless the assault is with saliva, vomit, mucus, blood, seminal fluid, urine, or feces from an adult who knows that he or she has a serious communicable disease and competent medical or epidemiological evidence demonstrates that the specific type of contact caused by the actor is likely to cause transmission of the disease or condition, in which case it is a Class A misdemeanor. (d) As used in paragraph (c) of this subsection, "serious communicable disease" means a non-airborne disease that is transmitted from person to person and determined to have significant, long-term consequences on the physical health or life activities of the person infected. Effective: July 15, 2026 History: Amended 2026 Ky. Acts ch. 28, sec. 1, effective July 15, 2026. -- Amended 2024 Ky. Acts ch. 80, sec. 1, effective July 15, 2024. -- Amended 2023 Ky. Acts ch. 109, sec. 4, effective June 29, 2023. -- Amended 2022 Ky. Acts ch. 151, sec. 2, effective July 14, 2022. -- Amended 2018 Ky. Acts ch. 189, sec. 1, effective July 14, 2018. -- Amended 2005 Ky. Acts ch. 128, sec. 1, effective June 20, 2005. -- Amended 2002 Ky. Acts ch. 208, sec. 1, effective July 15, 2002; and ch. 360, sec. 1, effective July 15, 2002. -- Amended 2000 Ky. Ac ts ch. 14, sec. 56, effective July 14, 2000; ch. 193, sec. 17, effective July 14, 2000; and ch. 345, sec. 7, effective July 14, 2000. -- Amended 1996 Ky. Acts ch. 345, sec. 1, effective July 15, 1996. -- Amended 1994 Ky. Acts ch. 397, sec. 1, effective July 15, 1994. -- Amended 1990 Ky. Acts ch. 380, sec. 1, effective July 13, 1990. -- Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 429, sec. 1, effective July 15, 1982. Legislative Research Commission Note (6/20/2005). 2005 Ky. Acts ch. 128, sec. 1, which included an amendment to this statute, provides that the Act shall be known as the "Brenda D. Cowan Act."

KRS 508.030 Assault in the fourth degree

508.030. Assault in the fourth degree (1) A person is guilty of assault in the fourth degree when: (a) He intentionally or wantonly causes physical injury to another person; or (b) With recklessness he causes physical injury to another person by means of a deadly weapon or a dangerous instrument. (2) Assault in the fourth degree is a Class A misdemeanor. Effective: July 15, 1982 History: Amended 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 429, sec. 2, effective July 15, 1982. -- Created 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 406, sec. 67, effective January 1, 1975.

KRS 508.032 Assault of family member or member of an unmarried couple -- Enhancement of penalty

508.032. Assault of family member or member of an unmarried couple -- Enhancement of penalty (1) If a person commits a third or subsequent offense of assault in the fourth degree under KRS 508.030 within five (5) years, and the relationship between the perpetrator and the victim in each of the offenses meets the definition of family member or member of an unmarried couple, as defined in KRS 403.720, then the person may be convicted of a Class D felony. If the Commonwealth desires to utilize the provisions of this section, the Commonwealth shall indict the defendant and the case shall be tried in the Circuit Court as a felony case. The jury, or judge if the trial is without a jury, may decline to assess a felony penalty in a case under this section and may convict the defendant of a misdemeanor. The victim in the second or subsequent offense is not required to be the same person who was assaulted in the prior offenses in order for the provisions of this section to apply. (2) In determining the five (5) year period under this section, the period shall be measured from the dates on which the offenses occurred for which the judgments of conviction were entered by a court of competent jurisdiction. Effective: July 14, 2000 History: Amended 2000 Ky. Acts ch. 401, sec. 39, effective July 14, 2000. -- Created 1996 Ky. Acts ch. 345, sec. 2, effective July 15, 1996.

KRS 508.040 Assault under extreme emotional disturbance

508.040. Assault under extreme emotional disturbance (1) In any prosecution under KRS 508.010, 508.020 or 508.030 in which intentionally causing physical injury or serious physical injury is an element of the offense, the defendant may establish in mitigation that he acted under the influence of extreme emotional disturbance, as defined in subsection (1)(a) of KRS 507.020. (2) An assault committed under the influence of extreme emotional disturbance is: (a) A Class D felony when it would constitute an assault in the first degree or an assault in the second degree if not committed under the influence of an extreme emotional disturbance; or (b) A Class B misdemeanor when it would constitute an assault in the fourth degree if not committed under the influence of an extreme emotional disturbance. Effective: July 13, 1984 History: Amended 1984 Ky. Acts ch. 111, sec. 198, effective July 13, 1984. -- Created 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 406, sec. 68, effective January 1, 1975.

KRS 508.050 Menacing

508.050. Menacing (1) A person is guilty of menacing when he intentionally places another person in reasonable apprehension of imminent physical injury. (2) Menacing is a Class B misdemeanor. Effective: January 1, 1975 History: Created 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 406, sec. 69, effective January 1, 1975.

KRS 508.060 Wanton endangerment in the first degree

508.060. Wanton endangerment in the first degree (1) A person is guilty of wanton endangerment in the first degree when, under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life, he or she wantonly engages in conduct which creates a substantial danger of death or serious physical injury to another person. (2) Wanton endangerment in the first degree is a Class D felony, unless the person discharges a firearm in the commission of the offense, in which case it is a Class C felony. Effective: July 15, 2024 History: Amended 2024 Ky. Acts ch. 174, sec. 40, effective July 15, 2024. -- Created 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 406, sec. 70, effective January 1, 1975.

KRS 508.070 Wanton endangerment in the second degree

508.070. Wanton endangerment in the second degree (1) A person is guilty of wanton endangerment in the second degree when he wantonly engages in conduct which creates a substantial danger of physical injury to another person. (2) Wanton endangerment in the second degree is a Class A misdemeanor. Effective: January 1, 1975 History: Created 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 406, sec. 71, effective January 1, 1975.

KRS 508.075 Terroristic threatening in the first degree

508.075. Terroristic threatening in the first degree (1) A person is guilty of terroristic threatening in the first degree when he or she: (a) Intentionally makes false statements that he or she or another person has placed a weapon of mass destruction on: 1. The real property or any building of any public or private elementary or secondary school, vocational school, or institution of postsecondary education; 2. A school bus or other vehicle owned, operated, or leased by a school; 3. The real property or any building public or private that is the site of an official school-sanctioned function; 4. The real property or any building owned or leased by a government agency; 5. The real property or any building owned or leased by a domestic violence shelter as defined in KRS 511.085; 6. Any workplace; or 7. The real property or any building public or private that is the site of any gathering of three (3) or more persons; or (b) Intentionally and without lawful authority, places a counterfeit weapon of mass destruction at any location or on any object specified in paragraph (a) of this subsection. (2) A counterfeit weapon of mass destruction is placed with lawful authority if it is placed, with the written permission of the chief officer of the school or other institution, as a part of an official training exercise and is placed by a public servant, as defined in KRS 522.010. (3) A person is not guilty of commission of an offense under this section if he or she, innocently and believing the information to be true, communicates a threat made by another person to school personnel, domestic violence shelter personnel, a peace officer, a law enforcement agency, a public agency involved in emergency response, or a public safety answering point and identifies the person from whom the threat was communicated, if known. (4) Terroristic threatening in the first degree is a Class C felony. Effective: July 15, 2024 History: Amended 2024 Ky. Acts ch. 174, sec. 34, effective July 15, 2024. -- Amended 2022 Ky. Acts ch. 163, sec. 1, effective July 14, 2022. -- Created 2001 Ky. Acts ch. 113, sec. 1, effective June 21, 2001.

KRS 508.078 Terroristic threatening in the second degree

508.078. Terroristic threatening in the second degree (1) A person is guilty of terroristic threatening in the second degree when, other than as provided in KRS 508.075, he or she intentionally: (a) With respect to any scheduled, publicly advertised event open to the public, any place of worship, any school function, any workplace, or any gathering of three (3) or more persons, threatens to commit by any means, including by use of a firearm, any act likely to result in death or serious physical injury to any person. A threat directed at a person or persons at a scheduled, publicly advertised event open to the public, place of worship, school, workplace, or gathering of three (3) or more persons does not need to identify a specific person or persons or school in order for a violation of this section to occur; (b) Makes false statements by any means, including by electronic communication, indicating that an act likely to result in death or serious physical injury is occurring or will occur for the purpose of: 1. Causing evacuation of a school building, school property, or school- sanctioned activity; 2. Causing cancellation of school classes or school-sanctioned activity; or 3. Creating fear of death or serious physical injury among students, parents, or school personnel; (c) Makes false statements that he or she has placed a weapon of mass destruction at any location other than one specified in KRS 508.075; or (d) Without lawful authority places a counterfeit weapon of mass destruction at any location other than one specified in KRS 508.075. (2) A counterfeit weapon of mass destruction is placed with lawful authority if it is placed as part of an official training exercise by a public servant, as defined in KRS 522.010. (3) A person is not guilty of commission of an offense under this section if he or she, innocently and believing the information to be true, communicates a threat made by another person to school personnel, a peace officer, a law enforcement agency, a public agency involved in emergency response, or a public safety answering point and identifies the person from whom the threat was communicated, if known. (4) Except as provided in subsection (5) of this section, terroristic threatening in the second degree is a Class D felony. (5) Terroristic threatening in the second degree is a Class C felony when, in addition to violating subsection (1) of this section, the person intentionally engages in substantial conduct required to prepare for or carry out the threatened act, including but not limited to gathering weapons, ammunition, body armor, vehicles, or materials required to manufacture a weapon of mass destruction. Effective: July 15, 2024 History: Amended 2024 Ky. Acts ch. 174, sec. 35, effective July 15, 2024. -- Amended 2020 Ky. Acts ch. 5, sec. 12, effective February 21, 2020. -- Amended 2019 Ky. Acts ch. 5, sec. 20, effective March 11, 2019.; and ch. 96, sec. 1, effective June 27, 2019. -- Amended 2019 Ky. Acts ch. 96, sec. 1, effective June 27, 2019 -- Created 2001 Ky. Acts ch. 113, sec. 2, effective June 21, 2001.

KRS 508.080 Terroristic threatening in the third degree

508.080. Terroristic threatening in the third degree (1) Except as provided in KRS 508.075 or 508.078, a person is guilty of terroristic threatening in the third degree when: (a) He threatens to commit any crime likely to result in death or serious physical injury to another person or likely to result in substantial property damage to another person; or (b) He intentionally makes false statements for the purpose of causing evacuation of a building, place of assembly, or facility of public transportation. (2) Terroristic threatening in the third degree is a Class A misdemeanor. Effective: June 21, 2001 History: Amended 2001 Ky. Acts ch. 113, sec. 3, effective June 21, 2001. -- Created 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 406, sec. 72, effective January 1, 1975.

KRS 508.090 Definitions for KRS 508.100 to 508.120

508.090. Definitions for KRS 508.100 to 508.120 As used in KRS 508.100 to 508.120, unless the context requires otherwise: (1) "Abuse or neglect" means: (a) The infliction of: 1. Physical pain or injury, including ingestion or inhalation of a controlled substance; or 2. Mental injury; or (b) The deprivation of services by a person which are necessary to maintain the health and welfare of a person, or a situation in which an adult, living alone, is unable to provide or obtain for himself or herself the services which are necessary to maintain his or her health or welfare; (2) "Controlled substance" has the same meaning as in KRS 218A.010; and (3) "Physically helpless" and "mentally helpless" means a person who lacks substantial capacity to defend himself or herself or solicit protection from law enforcement agencies. Effective: July 15, 2026 History: Amended 2026 Ky. Acts ch. 68, sec. 11, effective July 15, 2026. -- Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 168, sec. 4, effective July 15, 1982.

KRS 508.100 Criminal abuse in the first degree

508.100. Criminal abuse in the first degree (1) A person is guilty of criminal abuse or neglect in the first degree when he or she intentionally abuses or neglects another person or permits another person of whom he or she has actual custody to be abused or neglected and thereby: (a) Causes serious physical injury; (b) Places him or her in a situation that creates a substantial and unjustifiable risk of serious physical injury; or (c) Causes torture, cruel confinement, or cruel punishment; to a person under thirteen (13) years old, or who is physically helpless or mentally helpless. (2) Criminal abuse or neglect in the first degree is a Class C felony unless the victim is under thirteen (13) years old, in which case it is a Class B felony. Effective: July 15, 2026 History: Amended 2026 Ky. Acts ch. 68, sec. 12, effective July 15, 2026. -- Amended 2022 Ky. Acts ch. 31, sec. 1, effective July 14, 2022. -- Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 168, sec. 1, effective July 15, 1982. Legislative Research Commission Note (7/14/2022). 2022 Ky. Acts ch. 31, sec. 2, provides that the Act, which amended this statute, may be cited as Kami’s Law.

KRS 508.110 Criminal abuse in the second degree

508.110. Criminal abuse in the second degree (1) A person is guilty of criminal abuse or neglect in the second degree when he or she wantonly abuses or neglects another person or permits another person of whom he or she has actual custody to be abused or neglected and thereby: (a) Causes serious physical injury; or (b) Places him or her in a situation that creates a substantial and unjustifiable risk of serious physical injury; or (c) Causes torture, cruel confinement, or cruel punishment; to a person under thirteen (13) years old, or who is physically helpless or mentally helpless. (2) Criminal abuse or neglect in the second degree is a Class D felony. Effective: July 15, 2026 History: Amended 2026 Ky. Acts ch. 68, sec. 13, effective July 15, 2026. -- Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 168, sec. 2, effective July 15, 1982.

KRS 508.120 Criminal abuse in the third degree

508.120. Criminal abuse in the third degree (1) A person is guilty of criminal abuse or neglect in the third degree when he or she recklessly abuses or neglects another person or permits another person of whom he or she has actual custody to be abused or neglected and thereby: (a) Causes serious physical injury; or (b) Places him or her in a situation that creates a substantial and unjustifiable risk of serious physical injury; or (c) Causes torture, cruel confinement, or cruel punishment; to a person under thirteen (13) years old, or who is physically helpless or mentally helpless. (2) Criminal abuse or neglect in the third degree is a Class A misdemeanor unless the person is under thirteen (13) years old and the person has suffered serious physical injury by the ingestion or inhalation of a controlled substance, in which case it is a Class D felony. Effective: July 15, 2026 History: Amended 2026 Ky. Acts ch. 68, sec. 14, effective July 15, 2026. -- Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 168, sec. 3, effective July 15, 1982.

KRS 508.125 Female genital mutilation

508.125. Female genital mutilation (1) As used in this section, "female genital mutilation" means a procedure that involves the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or any procedure harmful to the female genitalia, including but not limited to: (a) A clitoridectomy; (b) The partial or total removal of the clitoris or the prepuce; (c) The excision or the partial or total removal of the clitoris and the labia minora, with or without excision of the labia majora; (d) The infibulation or the narrowing of the vaginal orifice with the creation of a covering seal by cutting and appositioning of the labia minora or the labia majora, with or without the excision of the clitoris; (e) Pricking, piercing, incising, scraping, or cauterizing the genital area; or (f) Any other action to purposely alter the structure or function of the female genitalia for a nonmedical reason. (2) A person is guilty of female genital mutilation when: (a) The person knowingly performs female genital mutilation on another person under eighteen (18) years of age; (b) The person is a parent, guardian, or has immediate custody or control of a person under eighteen (18) years of age and knowingly consents to or permits female genital mutilation of such person; or (c) The person knowingly removes or causes or permits the removal of a person under eighteen (18) years of age from Kentucky for the purposes of performance of female genital mutilation of the person. (3) It is not a defense to female genital mutilation that the conduct under subsection (2) of this section is: (a) Required as a matter of religion, custom, ritual, or standard practice; or (b) Consented to by the individual on whom it is performed or the individual's parent or guardian. (4) A surgical procedure is not a violation of subsection (1) of this section if the procedure is: (a) Necessary to the health of the person on whom it is performed and is performed by a person licensed in the place of its performance as a health care provider; or (b) Performed on a person in labor or who has just given birth and is performed for medical purposes connected with that labor or birth by a person licensed in the place of its performance as a health care provider. (5) Female genital mutilation is a Class B felony. Effective: April 2, 2020 History: Created 2020 Ky. Acts ch. 74, sec. 1, effective April 2, 2020.

KRS 508.130 Stalking

508.130. Stalking (1) As used in this section, unless the context requires otherwise: (a) 1. "Course of conduct" means a pattern of conduct composed of two (2) or more acts, evidencing a continuity of purpose. 2. One (1) or more of these acts may include: a. Those by which a person, directly or indirectly, by any means or method: i. Follows, monitors, observes, surveils, or threatens another person; or ii. Interferes with another person's property; or b. The use of any equipment, instrument, machine, or other device by which communication or information is transmitted, including but not limited to: i. Computers; ii. The internet, internet applications, social media platforms, email, text messages, instant messages, or any other electronic network; iii. Cameras or other recording devices; iv. Telephones or other personal communications devices; v. Scanners or other copying devices; and vi. Any device that enables the use of a transmitting device. 3. Constitutionally protected activity is not included within the meaning of "course of conduct." If the defendant claims that he or she was engaged in constitutionally protected activity, the court shall determine the validity of that claim as a matter of law and, if found valid, shall exclude that activity from evidence; (b) "Protective order" means: 1. An emergency protective order or domestic violence order issued under KRS 403.715 to 403.785; 2. A foreign protective order, as defined in KRS 403.720 and 456.010; 3. An order issued under KRS 431.064; 4. An interpersonal protective order issued in accordance with KRS 508.155 or 510.037; 5. An order of protection as defined in KRS 403.720 and 456.010; 6. A civil restraining order issued by a court of this Commonwealth or any other state on the basis of domestic violence and abuse as defined in KRS 403.720 or dating violence and abuse as defined in KRS 456.010; or 7. Any condition of a bond, conditional release, probation, parole, or pretrial diversion order designed to protect the victim from the offender; and (c) "Social media platform" means a website or application that is open to the public, allows a user to create an account, and enables users to do all of the following: 1. Interact socially with other users within the confines of the website or application; 2. Construct a public or semipublic profile for the purpose of signing into and using the website or application; 3. Populate a list of other users with whom an individual shares or has the ability to share a social connection within the website or application; and 4. Create or post content viewable by others, including on message boards, chat rooms, video channels, direct or private messages, or chats, or on a landing page or main feed that presents the user with content generated by other users. (2) A person is guilty of stalking when he or she: (a) Intentionally engages in a course of conduct directed at another person or persons that: 1. Seriously alarms, annoys, intimidates, or harasses the other person or persons; 2. Serves no legitimate purpose; and 3. Causes the other person or persons to suffer substantial mental distress, including but not limited to interference with the person's sense of safety or well-being; and (b) Consciously disregards a substantial and unjustifiable risk that the course of conduct would cause the other person or persons to suffer substantial mental distress. (3) Stalking is a Class D felony unless: (a) A protective order has been issued by the cou rt to protect the same victim or victims and the defendant has been served with the summons or order or has been given actual notice; (b) A criminal complaint is currently pending with a court, law enforcement agency, or prosecutor by the same victim or victims and the defendant has been served with a summons or warrant or has been given actual notice; (c) The defendant has been convicted of or pled guilty within the previous five (5) years to a felony or to a Class A misdemeanor against the same victim or victims; (d) The act or acts were committed while the defendant had a deadly weapon on or about his or her person; or (e) The defendant's act or acts place the victim or victims in reasonable fear of: 1. Sexual contact as defined in KRS 510.010; 2. Physical injury; or 3. Death; in which case it is a Class C felony. Effective: July 15, 2026 History: Amended 2026 Ky. Acts ch. 67, sec. 1, effective July 15, 2026. -- Amended 2015 Ky. Acts ch. 102, sec. 45, effective January 1, 2016. -- Amended 2009 Ky. Acts ch. 100, sec. 2, effective June 25, 2009. -- Amended 2002 Ky. Acts ch. 119, sec. 1, effective July 15, 2002. -- Amended 2000 Ky. Acts ch. 401, sec. 13, effective July 14, 2000. -- Created 1992 Ky. Acts ch. 443, sec. 1, effective July 14, 1992. Legislative Research Commission Note (7/15/2026). Under the authority of KRS 7.136(1)(c) and (h), the reviser of statutes has rearranged subsection (1) of this statute during codification to correct a manifest clerical or typographical error. The words in the text were not changed.

KRS 508.140 Repealed, 2026

508.140. Repealed, 2026 Catchline at repeal: Stalking in the first degree. History: Repealed 2026 Ky. Acts ch. 67, sec. 16, effective July 15, 2026. -- Amended 2000 Ky. Acts ch. 401, sec. 14, effective July 14, 2000. -- Created 1992 Ky. Acts ch. 443, sec. 2, effective July 14, 1992.

KRS 508.150 Repealed, 2026

508.150. Repealed, 2026 Catchline at repeal: Stalking in the second degree. History: Repealed 2026 Ky. Acts ch. 67, sec. 16, effective July 15, 2026. -- Created 1992 Ky. Acts ch. 443, sec. 3, effective July 14, 1992.

KRS 508.152 Unlawful use of a tracking device

508.152. Unlawful use of a tracking device (1) As used in this section: (a) "Motor vehicle" has the same meaning as "vehicle" in KRS 186.010(8)(a); (b) "Protective order" has the same meaning as in KRS 508.130; and (c) "Tracking device" means an electronic or mechanical device that is designed or intended to allow a person to remotely determine or track the position or movement of another person or an object, regardless of whether that information is recorded. (2) A person is guilty of unlawful use of a tracking device when he or she intentionally: (a) Installs or places a tracking device, or causes a tracking device to be installed or placed, in or on a motor vehicle without the knowledge and consent of the owner of the motor vehicle or, if the motor vehicle is leased, the lessee or authorized operator of the motor vehicle; (b) Tracks the location of a motor vehicle with a tracking device without the knowledge and consent of either the owner or the authorized operator of the motor vehicle or, if the motor vehicle is leased, either the lessee or authorized operator of the motor vehicle; (c) While being the restrained party under a protective order, uses a tracking device to track the location of a motor vehicle operated or occupied by an individual protected under the order; or (d) While on probation or parole for a crime defined in KRS Chapter 508, uses a tracking device to track the location of a motor vehicle operated or occupied by a victim of the crime or by a family member of the victim of the crime without the knowledge and consent of the victim or family member. (3) Unlawful use of a tracking device is a Class A misdemeanor. (4) Subsection (2) of this section does not apply to the installation or use of any: (a) Device providing vehicle tracking for purposes of providing mechanical, operational, directional, navigation, weather, or traffic information to the operator of the vehicle; (b) Device for providing emergency assistance to the operator or passengers of the vehicle under the terms and conditions of a subscription service, including any trial period of that subscription service; (c) Device for providing missing vehicle assistance for the benefit of the owner or operator of the vehicle; (d) Device providing diagnostic services regarding the mechanical operation of a vehicle under the terms and conditions of a subscription service, including any trial period of the subscription service; (e) Device or service providing the lessee of the vehicle with clear notice that the vehicle may be tracked. For a lessor who installs a tracking device subsequent to the original vehicle manufacture, the notice shall be provided in writing with an acknowledgment signed by the lessee, regardless of whether the tracking device is original equipment, a retrofit, or an aftermarket product. The requirement for written acknowledgment placed upon the lessor is not imposed upon the manufacturer of the tracking device or the manufacturer of the vehicle; (f) Tracking device by the parent or guardian of a minor on any vehicle owned or leased by that parent or guardian of the minor, and operated by the minor; or (g) Tracking device by a police officer while lawfully performing his or her duties as a police officer. Effective: June 29, 2023 History: Created 2023 Ky. Acts ch. 163, sec. 1, effective June 29, 2023.

KRS 508.155 Interpersonal protective order to be issued upon violation of KRS 508.130

508.155. Interpersonal protective order to be issued upon violation of KRS 508.130 A verdict of guilty or a plea of guilty to KRS 508.130 shall operate as an application for an interpersonal protective order issued under KRS Chapter 456, unless the victim requests otherwise. Notwithstanding the provisions of KRS Chapter 456: (1) An interpersonal protective order requested under this section may be issued by the court that entered the judgment of conviction; (2) The judgment of conviction shall constitute sufficient cause for the entry of the order without the necessity of further proof being taken; and (3) The order may be effective for up to ten (10) years, with further renewals in increments of up to ten (10) years. Effective: July 15, 2026 History: Amended 2026 Ky. Acts ch. 67, sec. 14, effective July 15, 2026. -- Amended 2015 Ky. Acts ch. 102, sec. 46, effective January 1, 2016. -- Created 2002 Ky. Acts ch. 119, sec. 2, effective July 15, 2002. Legislative Research Commission Note (7/15/2026). 202 6 Ky. Acts ch. 67, sec. 17, provides that "This Act shall not affect the validity of: (1) A restraining order or interpersonal protective order issued under KRS 508.155 prior to the effective date of this Act [July 15, 2026]. All such orders shall retain the full force of law for the 10-year period following the date of issuance. Upon renewal of a restraining order issued under Section 14 of this Act [this statute], it shall be converted to an interpersonal protective order under KRS Chapter 456; or (2) A domestic violence order issued under KRS Chapter 403 or an interpersonal protective order issued under KRS Chapter 456 prior to the effective date of this Act [July 15, 2026] where the basis of the petition was stalking."

KRS 508.160 Disarming a peace officer -- Penalty -- Applicability

508.160. Disarming a peace officer -- Penalty -- Applicability (1) A person is guilty of disarming a peace officer when he intentionally: (a) Removes a firearm or other deadly weapon from the person of a peace officer when the peace officer is acting within the scope of his official duties; or (b) Deprives a peace officer of the officer's use of a firearm or deadly weapon when the peace officer is acting within the scope of his official duties. (2) Disarming a peace officer is a Class D felony. (3) The provisions of this section shall not apply when: (a) The defendant does not know or could not reasonably have known that the person disarmed was a peace officer; or (b) The peace officer was, at the time of the disarming or incident thereto, engaged in felonious conduct. Effective: July 15, 1998 History: Created 1998 Ky. Acts ch. 606, sec. 123, effective July 15, 1998.

KRS 508.170 Strangulation in the first degree

508.170. Strangulation in the first degree (1) A person is guilty of strangulation in the first degree when the person, without consent, intentionally impedes the normal breathing or circulation of the blood of another person by: (a) Applying pressure on the throat or neck of the other person; or (b) Blocking the nose or mouth of the other person. (2) Strangulation in the first degree is a Class C felony. Effective: June 27, 2019 History: Created 2019 Ky. Acts ch. 183, sec. 1, effective June 27, 2019.

KRS 508.175 Strangulation in the second degree

508.175. Strangulation in the second degree (1) A person is guilty of strangulation in the second degree when the person, without consent, wantonly impedes the normal breathing or circulation of the blood of another person by: (a) Applying pressure on the throat or neck of the other person; or (b) Blocking the nose or mouth of the other person. (2) Strangulation in the second degree is a Class D felony. Effective: June 27, 2019 History: Created 2019 Ky. Acts ch. 183, sec. 2, effective June 27, 2019.

KRS 508.180 Definitions for KRS 508.180 to 508.186

508.180. Definitions for KRS 508.180 to 508.186 As used in KRS 508.180 to 508.186, unless the context requires otherwise: (1) "Hazing" means a direct action which substantially endangers the physical health of a minor or student for the purpose of recruitment, initiation into, affiliation with, or enhancing or maintaining membership or status within any organization, including but not limited to actions which coerce or force a minor or a student to: (a) Violate federal or state criminal law; (b) Consume any food, liquid, alcoholic liquid, drug, tobacco product, or other controlled substance which subjects the minor or student to a risk of serious physical injury; (c) Endure brutality of a physical nature, including whipping, beating or paddling, branding, or exposure to the elements; (d) Endure brutality of a sexual nature; or (e) Endure any other activity that creates a reasonable likelihood of serious physical injury to the minor or student; (2) "Organization": (a) Means a number of persons who are associated with a school or postsecondary education institution and each other, including a student organization, fraternity, sorority, association, corporation, order, society, corps, club, or similar group; and (b) Includes any student organization registered pursuant to the policies of the school or postsecondary education institution at any time during the previous five (5) years; and (3) "Student" means an individual enrolled in a public or private school or postsecondary program of study. Effective: June 29, 2023 History: Created 2023 Ky. Acts ch. 110, sec. 1, effective June 29, 2023. Legislative Research Commission Note (6/29/2023). 2023 Ky. Acts ch. 110, sec. 5, provides that the Act, which created KRS 508.180 to 508.186, may be cited as Lofton's Law.

KRS 508.182 Hazing in the first degree -- Defenses -- Sentencing

508.182. Hazing in the first degree -- Defenses -- Sentencing (1) A person is guilty of hazing in the first degree when he or she intentionally or wantonly engages in an act of hazing that results in serious physical injury or death to a minor or student. (2) It shall be a defense under this section that the act was part of reasonable and customary: (a) Interscholastic or intercollegiate athletic practices, competitions, or events; (b) Law enforcement training; or (c) Military training. (3) Hazing in the first degree is a Class D felony. Any sentence imposed on a defendan t under this section shall run concurrently with any sentence imposed under KRS 508.060 or 508.070 arising from the same act or occurrence. Effective: June 29, 2023 History: Created 2023 Ky. Acts ch. 110, sec. 2, effective June 29, 2023.

KRS 508.184 Hazing in the second degree -- Defenses -- Sentencing

508.184. Hazing in the second degree -- Defenses -- Sentencing (1) A person is guilty of hazing in the second degree when he or she recklessly engages in an act of hazing. (2) It shall be a defense under this section that the act was part of reasonable and customary: (a) Interscholastic or intercollegiate athletic practic es, competitions, or events; (b) Law enforcement training; or (c) Military training. (3) Hazing in the second degree is a Class A misdemeanor. Any sentence imposed on a defendant under this section shall run concurrently with any sentence imposed under KRS 508.060 or 508.070 arising from the same act or occurrence. Effective: June 29, 2023 History: Created 2023 Ky. Acts ch. 110, sec. 3, effective June 29, 2023.

KRS 508.186 Construction of KRS 508.180 to 508.186

508.186. Construction of KRS 508.180 to 508.186 Nothing in KRS 508.180 to 508.186 shall be construed to create or imply a new cause of action against any educational institution. Effective: June 29, 2023 History: Created 2023 Ky. Acts ch. 110, sec. 4, effective June 29, 2023.

Source: Kentucky Legislative Research Commission (legislature.ky.gov)URL: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/chapter.aspx?id=39374Fetched: 10/20/2026