CHAPTER 160
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1
CHAPTER 160
( SB 20 )
AN ACT relating to crimes and punishments.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky:
ď˘Section 1. KRS 635.020 is amended to read as follows:
(1) If, prior to an adjudicatory hearing, there is a reasonable cause to believe that a child before the court has
committed a felony other than those described in subsections (2) and (3) of this section, a misdemeanor, or a
violation, the court shall initially proceed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
(2) If a child charged with a capital offense, Class A felony, or Class B felony, had attained age fourteen (14) at
the time of the alleged commission of the offense, the court shall, upon motion of the county attorney made
prior to adjudication, and after the county attorney has consulted with the Commonwealth's attorney, that the
child be proceeded against as a youthful offender, proceed in accordance with the provisions of KRS 640.010.
(3) If a child charged with a Class C or Class D felony has on one (1) prior separate occasion been adjudicated a
public offender for a felony offense and had attained the age of sixteen (16) at the time of the alleged
commission of the offense, the court shall, upon motion of the county attorney made prior to adjudication, and
after the county attorney has consulted with the Commonwealth's attorney, that the child be proceeded against
as a youthful offender, proceed in accordance with the provisions of KRS 640.010.
(4) (a) If a child charged with a felony[ in which a firearm, whether functional or not, was used by the child in
the commission of the offense] had attained the age of fourteen (14) years at the time of the commission
of the alleged offense in which a firearm, whether functional or not, was used by the child in the
commission of the offense, the court shall, upon motion of the county attorney made prior to
adjudication, and after the county attorney has consulted with the Commonwealth's attorney, that the
child be proceeded against as a youthful offender, proceed in accordance with KRS 640.010.
(b) 1. Any other provision of KRS Chapters 610 to 645 to the contrary notwithstanding, if a child
charged with a Class A, B, or C felony had attained the age of fifteen (15) years at the time of
the commission of the alleged offense in which a firearm, whether functional or not, was used
by the child in the commission of the offense, the court shall, upon motion of the county
attorney made prior to adjudication and after consultation with the Commonwealth's attorney,
that the child be proceeded against as a youthful offender, proceed in accordance with
subparagraph 2. of this paragraph.
2. The child shall be transferred to the Circuit Court for trial as an adult if, following a
preliminary hearing, the District Court finds probable cause to believe that:
a. The child committed a Class A, B, or C felony;
b. A firearm was used by the child in the commission of that felony; and
c. The child was fifteen (15) years of age or older at the time of the commission of the
alleged felony.
3. a. After consulting with the county attorney, the Commonwealth's attorney may transfer
the child back to District Court if the Commonwealth's attorney determines that it is in
the best interest of the public and the child to do so.
b. After considering the factors in KRS 640.010(2)(c), the Circuit Court may transfer the
child back to District Court if the Circuit Court finds that less than two (2) factors
specified in KRS 640.010(2)(c) favor keeping the child in Circuit Court.
4. If convicted in the Circuit Court, he or she shall be subject to the same penalties as an adult
offender, except that until he or she reaches the age of eighteen (18) years, he or she shall be
confined in a facility for juveniles or for youthful offenders, unless the provisions of KRS
635.025 apply or unless he or she is released pursuant to expiration of sentence or parole, and
at age eighteen (18) he or she shall be returned to the sentencing Circuit Court for
proceedings consistent with KRS 640.030(2). ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2
5. If convicted in the Circuit Court and he or she is returned to the sentencing Circuit Court for
proceedings consistent with KRS 640.030(2), he or she shall not be eligible for probation or
conditional discharge.
(5) If a child previously convicted as a youthful offender under the provisions of KRS Chapter 640 is charged with
a felony allegedly committed prior to his or her eighteenth birthday, the court shall, upon motion of the county
attorney made prior to adjudication, and after the county attorney has consulted with the Commonwealth's
attorney, that the child be proceeded against as a youthful offender, proceed in accordance with the provisions
of KRS 640.010.
(6) A child who is charged as is provided in subsection (2) of this section and is also charged with a Class C or D
felony, a misdemeanor, or a violation arising from the same course of conduct shall have all charges included
in the same proceedings; and the court shall, upon motion of the county attorney made prior to adjudication,
and after the county attorney has consulted with the Commonwealth's attorney, that the child be proceeded
against as a youthful offender, proceed in accordance with the provisions of KRS 640.010.
(7) If a person who is eighteen (18) or older and before the court is charged with a felony that occurred prior to his
or her eighteenth birthday, the court shall, upon motion of the county attorney made prior to adjudication, and
after the county attorney has consulted with the Commonwealth's attorney, that the child be proceeded against
as a youthful offender, proceed in accordance with the provisions of KRS 640.010.
(8) All offenses arising out of the same course of conduct shall be tried with the felony arising from that course of
conduct, whether the charges are adjudicated under this chapter or under KRS Chapter 640 and transferred to
Circuit Court.
Became law without Governor's signature April 10, 2024.