Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 160.380 – School district personnel actions -- Restrictions on appointment of relatives, violent offenders, and persons convicted of sex crimes -- Restriction on assignment to alternative education program as disciplinary action -- Disclosure of disciplinary action related to abusive conduct of applicant -- Background checks and clear CA/N checks -- Requirements for drivers of non-school bus passenger vehicles -- Probationary status -- Termination on basis of criminal record -- Application forms -- Allegation of abusive conduct made against employee -- Employees charged with felony offenses -- Notification by employee found to have abused or neglected a child.

(1) As used in this section:
1. (a)
2. (b)
3. (c)
4. (d)
5. (e)
6. (f) "Abusive conduct" means sexual misconduct and conduct subject to mandatory reporting under KRS 620.030 that involves a minor or student; "Administrative finding of child abuse or neglect" means a substantiated finding of child abuse or neglect issued by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services that is: 1. Not appealed through an administrative hearing conducted in accordance with KRS Chapter 13B; 2. Upheld at an administrative hearing conducted in accordance with KRS Chapter 13B and not appealed to a Circuit Court; or 3. Upheld by a Circuit Court in an appeal of the results of an administrative hearing conducted in accordance with KRS Chapter 13B; "Alternative education program" means a program that exists to meet the needs of students that cannot be addressed in a traditional classroom setting but through the assignment of students to alternative classrooms, centers, or campuses that are designed to remediate academic performance, improve behavior, or provide an enhanced learning experience. Alternative education programs do not include career or technical centers or departments; "Clear CA/N check" means a letter from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services indicating that there are no administrative findings of child abuse or neglect relating to a specific individual; "Relative" means father, mother, brother, sister, husband, wife, son, and daughter; and "Vacancy" means any certified position opening created by the resignation, dismissal, nonrenewal of contract, transfer, or death of a certified staff member of a local school district, or a new position created in a local school district for which certification is required. However, if an employer-employee bargained contract contains procedures for filling certified position openings created by the resignation, dismissal, nonrenewal of contract, transfer, or death of a certified staff member, or creation of a new position for which certification is required, a vacancy shall not exist, unless certified positions remain open after compliance with those procedures.
(2) Except as provided in KRS 160.346, the school district personnel actions identified in this section shall be carried out as follows:
1. (a) All appointments, promotions, and transfers of principals, supervisors, teachers, and other public school employees shall be made only by the superintendent of schools, who shall notify the board of the action taken. All employees of the local district shall have the qualifications prescribed by law and by the administrative regulations of the Kentucky Board of Education and of the employing board. Supervisors, principals, teachers, and other employees may be appointed by the superintendent for any school year at any time after February 1 preceding the beginning of the school year. No superintendent of schools shall appoint or transfer himself or herself to another position within the school district;
2. (b) When a vacancy occurs in a local school district, the superintendent shall submit the job posting to the statewide job posting system described in KRS 160.152 fifteen (15) days before the position shall be filled. The local school district shall post position openings in the local board office for public viewing; and
3. (c) When a vacancy needs to be filled in less than fifteen (15) days' time to prevent disruption of necessary instructional or support services of the school district, the superintendent may seek a waiver from the chief state school officer outside of the process established in KRS 156.161. If the waiver is approved, the appointment shall not be made until the person recommended for the position has been approved by the chief state school officer. The chief state school officer shall respond to a district's request for waiver or for approval of an appointment within two (2) working days.
(3) Restrictions on employment of relatives shall be as follows:
1. (a) No relative of a superintendent of schools shall be an employee of the school district. However, this shall not apply to a relative who is a classified or certified employee of the school district for at least thirty-six (36) months prior to the superintendent assuming office and who is qualified for the position the employee holds. A superintendent's spouse who has previously been employed in a school system may be an employee of the school district. A superintendent's spouse who is employed under this provision shall not hold a position in which the spouse supervises certified or classified employees. A superintendent's spouse may supervise teacher aides and student teachers. However, the superintendent shall not promote a relative who continues employment under an exception of this subsection;
2. (b) No superintendent shall employ a relative of a school board member of the district;
3. (c) No principal's relative shall be employed in the principal's school; and
4. (d) A relative that is ineligible for employment under paragraph (a), (b), or (c) of this subsection may be employed as a substitute for a certified or classified employee if the relative is not: 1. A regular full-time or part-time employee of the district; 2. Accruing continuing contract status or any other right to continuous employment; 3. Receiving fringe benefits other than those provided other substitutes; or 4. Receiving preference in employment or assignment over other substitutes.
(4) No superintendent shall assign a certified or classified staff person to an alternative education program as part of any disciplinary action taken pursuant to KRS 161.011 or 161.790 as part of a corrective action plan established pursuant to the local district evaluation plan.
(5) No superintendent shall employ in any position in the district any person who:
1. (a) Has been convicted of an offense that would classify a person as a violent offender under KRS 439.3401;
2. (b) Has been convicted of a sex crime as defined by KRS 17.500 or a misdemeanor offense under KRS Chapter 510;
3. (c) Is required to register as a sex offender under KRS 17.500 to 17.580; or
4. (d) Has an administrative finding of child abuse or neglect in records maintained
(6)
1. (a) by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. If requested by a school district regarding an applicant for a position: 1. A school district, public school, or nonpublic school that employs or previously employed the applicant shall disclose any disciplinary action, and any resulting resignation or termination, related to abusive conduct while the applicant was employed by the school or school district; and 2. A school district, public school, or nonpublic school located in a member state of the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact that employs or previously employed the applicant shall disclose any disciplinary action, and any resulting resignation or termination, related to abusive conduct while the applicant was employed by the school or school district.
2. (b) Any school district, public school, nonpublic school, or any school employees making a disclosure pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subsection of any disciplinary action and any resulting resignation or termination shall be immune from any civil or criminal liability that might otherwise be incurred or imposed as a result of: 1. Making the disclosure; or 2. Participating in any judicial proceeding that may result from making the disclosure.
3. (c) Upon disclosure under paragraph (a) of this subsection of disciplinary action involving abusive conduct by an applicant, the school district considering the applicant for employment shall, if the application is for a certified position, request information from the Education Professional Standards Board related to pending and resolved disciplinary action against the applicant involving abusive conduct.
4. (d) Upon request from a school district under paragraph (c) of this subsection, the school district, public school, or nonpublic school of previous or current employment or the Educational Professional Standards Board shall provide the requested information, if applicable, within ten (10) working days.
5. (e) If there is a finding of abusive conduct regarding an applicant, the applicant shall be: 1. 2. Ineligible for hire by the school district; and Subject to dismissal or termination if the applicant is hired by the school district or is a current employee of the school district.
6. (f) The Education Professional Standards Board shall create and implement procedures for responding to a school district upon receiving an inquiry described in paragraph (d) of this subsection.
(7) Requirements for background checks shall be as follows:
1. (a) A superintendent shall require the following individuals to submit to a national and state criminal background check by the Department of Kentucky State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation and have a clear CA/N check, provided by the individual: 1. 2. A nonfaculty coach or nonfaculty assistant as defined under KRS Each new certified or classified hire; 161.185; 3. A student teacher; 4. A school-based decision making council parent member; and 5. Any adult who is permitted access to school grounds on a regularly scheduled and continuing basis pursuant to a written agreement for the purpose of providing services directly to a student or students as part of a school-sponsored program or activity; The requirements of paragraph (a) of this subsection shall not apply to: a. Classified and certified individuals employed by the school district prior to June 27, 2019;
2. (b) 1. c. b. Certified individuals who were employed in another certified position in a Kentucky school district within six (6) months of the date of hire and who had previously submitted to a national and state criminal background check and who have a clear CA/N check for the previous employment; or Student teachers who have submitted to and provide a copy of a national and state criminal background check by the Department of Kentucky State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation through an accredited teacher education institution in which the student teacher is enrolled and who have a clear CA/N check. The Education Professional Standards Board may promulgate administrative regulations to impose additional qualifications to meet the requirements of Pub. L. No. 92-544; 2.
3. (c) A parent member may serve prior to the receipt of the criminal history background check and clear CA/N check required by paragraph (a) of this subsection but shall be removed from the council on receipt by the school district of a report documenting a record of abuse or neglect, or a sex crime or criminal offense against a victim who is a minor as defined in KRS 17.500, or as a violent offender as defined in KRS 17.165, and no further procedures shall be required;
4. (d) A superintendent may require a volunteer or a visitor to submit to a national and state criminal history background check by the Department of Kentucky State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation and have a clear CA/N check, provided by the individual;
5. (e) The superintendent shall require any driver of any non-school bus passenger vehicle authorized to transport students to and from school along a regular bus route who does not have a valid commercial driver's license issued in accordance with KRS Chapter 281A with an "S" endorsement to: 1. Submit to a national and state criminal background check by the Department of Kentucky State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation at least once every three (3) years and a criminal records check conducted in accordance with KRS 27A.090 in all other years; Submit to drug testing consistent with the administrative regulations promulgated in accordance with KRS 156.153; Provide a copy of a valid driver's license and a biannual driving history record check performed by the Transportation Cabinet that does include a moving violation; Provide an annual clear CA/N check; Immediately notify the superintendent of any conviction for a violation under KRS Chapter 189 for which penalty points are assessed; and Immediately notify the superintendent of any citation or arrest for a violation of any provision of KRS Chapter 189A. The superintendent shall inform the Kentucky Department of Education of the notification; and
6. (f) The superintendent shall require any driver of any non-school bus passenger vehicle authorized to transport students to and from approved school activities who does not have a valid commercial driver's license with an "S" endorsement issued in accordance with KRS Chapter 281A to: 1. Submit to a state criminal records check from the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet or the Administrative Office of the Courts, or both, in accordance with KRS 17.160(1) prior to being authorized and annually thereafter; Submit to drug testing consistent with the administrative regulations promulgated in accordance with KRS 156.153; Provide a copy of a valid driver's license and a driving history record check performed by the Transportation Cabinet that does not include a disqualifying moving violation prior to being authorized and in accordance with school district policy thereafter; Immediately notify the superintendent of any conviction for a violation under KRS Chapter 189 for which penalty points are assessed; and Immediately notify the superintendent of any citation or arrest for a 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 2. 3. 4. 5.
(8)
1. (a) violation of any provision of KRS Chapter 189A. The superintendent shall inform the Kentucky Department of Education of the notification. If a certified or classified position remains unfilled after July 31 or if a vacancy occurs during a school term, a superintendent may employ an individual, who will have supervisory or disciplinary authority over minors, on probationary status pending receipt of the criminal history background check and a clear CA/N check, provided by the individual. Application for the criminal record and a request for a clear CA/N check of a probationary employee shall be made no later than the date probationary employment begins.
2. (b) Employment shall be contingent on the receipt of the criminal history background check documenting that the probationary employee has no record of a sex crime nor as a violent offender as defined in KRS 17.165 and receipt of a letter, provided by the individual, from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services stating the employee is clear to hire based on no administrative findings of child abuse or neglect found through a background check of child abuse and neglect records maintained by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services.
3. (c) Notwithstanding KRS 161.720 to 161.800 or any other statute to the contrary, probationary employment under this section shall terminate on receipt by the school district of a criminal history background check documenting a record of a sex crime or as a violent offender as defined in KRS 17.165 and no further procedures shall be required.
(9) The provisions of KRS 161.790 shall apply to terminate employment of a certified employee on the basis of a criminal record other than a record of a sex crime or as a violent offender as defined in KRS 17.165, or on the basis of a CA/N check showing an administrative finding of child abuse or neglect.
(10)
1. (a) All fingerprints requested under this section shall be on an applicant fingerprint card provided by the Department of Kentucky State Police. The fingerprint cards shall be forwarded to the Federal Bureau of Investigation from the Department of Kentucky State Police after a state criminal background check is conducted. The results of the state and federal criminal background check shall be sent to the hiring superintendent. Any fee charged by the Department of Kentucky State Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Cabinet for Health and Family Services shall be an amount no greater than the actual cost of processing the request and conducting the search.
2. (b) Each application form, provided by the employer to an applicant for a certified or classified position, shall conspicuously state the following: "FOR THIS TYPE OF EMPLOYMENT, STATE LAW REQUIRES A NATIONAL AND STATE CRIMINAL HISTORY BACKGROUND CHECK AND A LETTER, PROVIDED BY THE INDIVIDUAL, FROM THE CABINET FOR HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES STATING THE APPLICANT HAS NO ADMINISTRATIVE FINDINGS OF CHILD ABUSE OR NEGLECT FOUND THROUGH A BACKGROUND CHECK OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT RECORDS MAINTAINED BY THE CABINET FOR HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES."
3. (c) Each application form for a district position shall require the applicant to: 1. 2. Identify the states in which he or she has maintained residency, including the dates of residency; and Provide picture identification.
(11)
1. (a) When an allegation of abusive conduct is made against a school district employee to another school district employee, the school district employee in receipt of the allegation, whether communicated in writing, electronically, or orally, shall report the allegation to the school principal and in accordance with KRS 620.030. The principal shall document the allegation in writing and notify the superintendent or designee. An investigation of the allegation shall be conducted by the school district until it is completed and shall not end prior to completion due to the employee transferring positions within the school district or leaving the school district, unless directed by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services or law enforcement officials to cease the investigation.
2. (b) Notwithstanding KRS 161.151, all records and references relating to an allegation of abusive conduct by a school district employee with a student or minor shall be included and remain in an employee's personnel file until completion of an investigation. If, after completion of an investigation, the allegation is determined to be false or unsubstantiated, all records and references relating to the allegation shall be removed from the employee's personnel file.
(12) Notwithstanding any provision of the Kentucky Revised Statutes to the contrary, any certified or classified employee of the school district shall notify the superintendent within seven (7) calendar days of being charged with any offense which is classified as a felony. The superintendent may transfer the employee to a second position until such time as the employee is found not guilty, the charges are dismissed, the employee is terminated, or the superintendent determines that further personnel action is not required. The employee shall continue to be paid at the same rate of pay he or she received prior to the transfer. If an employee is charged with an offense outside of the Commonwealth, this provision may also be applied if the charge would have been the treated as a felony Commonwealth. Transfers shall be made to prevent disruption of the educational process and district operations and in the interest of students and staff and shall not be construed as evidence of misconduct. if committed within
(13) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, each certified and classified employee of the school district shall notify the superintendent if he or she has been found by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to have abused or neglected a child, and if he or she has waived the right to appeal a substantiated finding of child abuse or neglect or if the substantiated incident was upheld upon appeal. Any failure to report this finding shall result in the certified or classified employee being subject to dismissal or termination.
(14) The superintendent shall annually notify school district employees of the self- reporting requirements of subsections (12) and (13) of this section.
(15) The form for requesting a CA/N check shall be made available on the Cabinet for Health and Family Services website.
(16) Subsections (1) and (5) to (14) of this section shall apply to public charter schools as a health and safety requirement under KRS 160.1592(1).

Effective: July 1, 2026

History: Amended 2026 Ky. Acts ch. 7, sec. 2, effective March 27, 2026; ch. 74, sec. 7, effective April 10, 2026; and ch. 196, sec. 21, effective July 1, 2026. -- Amended 2025 Ky. Acts ch. 113, sec. 9, effective June 27, 2025. -- Amended 2024 Ky. Acts ch. 35, sec. 2, effective April 4, 2024; and ch. 106, sec. 2, effective July 15, 2024. -- Amended 2023 Ky. Acts ch. 164, sec. 6, effective June 29, 2023. -- Amended 2022 Ky. Acts ch. 160, sec. 1, effective July 14, 2022. -- Amended 2020 Ky. Acts ch. 32, sec. 1, effective July 15, 2020. -- Amended 2019 Ky. Acts ch. 31, sec. 1, effective June 27, 2019. -- Amended 2024 Ky. Acts ch. 35, sec. 2, effective April 4, 2024. – Amended 2018 Ky. Acts ch. 105, sec. 1, effective April 4, 2018. -- Amended 2017 Ky. Acts ch. 37, sec. 1, effective June 29 2017; and ch. 115, sec. 3, effective July 1, 2018. -- Amended 2016 Ky. Acts ch. 104, sec. 2, effective July 15, 2016. -- Amended 2012 Ky. Acts ch. 61, sec. 1, effective July 12, 2012; and ch. 85, sec. 1, effective July 12, 2012. -- Amended 2010 Ky. Acts ch. 1, sec. 2, effective January 14, 2010. -- Amended 2009 Ky. Acts ch. 38, sec. 1, effective June 25, 2009. -- Amended 2007 Ky. Acts ch. 85, sec. 169, effective June 26, 2007. -- Amended 2006 Ky. Acts ch. 182, sec. 18, effective July 12, 2006; and ch. 221, sec. 5, effective July 12, 2006. -- Amended 2005 Ky. Acts ch. 177, sec. 1, effective June 20, 2005. -- Amended 2001 Ky. Acts ch. 60, sec. 3, effective June 21, 2001. -- Amended 1998 Ky. Acts ch. 178, sec. 2, effective July 15, 1998; ch. 362, sec. 1, effective July 15, 1998; ch. 467, sec. 1, effective July 15, 1998; and ch. 489, sec. 1, effective July 15, 1998. -- Amended 1996 Ky. Acts ch. 349, sec. 1, effective July 15, 1996; and ch. 362, sec. 6, effective July 15, 1996. -- Amended 1994 Ky. Acts ch. 192, sec. 1, effective July 15, 1994; and ch. 483, sec. 1, effective July 15, 1994. – Amended 1992 Ky. Acts ch. 401, sec. 1, effective July 14, 1992. -- Amended 1990 Ky. Acts ch. 476, Pt. II, sec. 78, effective July 13, 1990; and ch. 518, sec. 7, effective July 13, 1990. -- Amended 1988 Ky. Acts ch. 345, sec. 4, effective July 15, 1988. -- Amended 1978 Ky. Acts ch. 155, sec. 82, effective June 17, 1978. -- Amended 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 88, sec. 1. -- Amended 1966 Ky. Acts ch. 89, sec. 11. -- Amended 1958 Ky. Acts ch. 126, sec. 18. -- Amended 1942 Ky. Acts ch. 113, sec. 13. -- Recodified 1942 Ky. Acts ch. 208, sec. 1, effective October 1, 1942, from Ky. Stat. sec. 4399-34. Legislative Research Commission Note (7/1/2026). This statute was amended by 2026 Ky. Acts chs. 7, 74, and 196, which do not appear to be in conflict and have been codified together. Legislative Research Commission Note (4/4/2018). The amendments made to this statute in 2018 Ky. Acts ch. 105, sec. 1 are effective April 4, 2018. 2018 Ky. Acts ch. 105, sec. 1 amended the version of KRS 160.380 that was scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2018. That July 1 version would now take effect instead at the first moment of April 4, 2018, as amended by 2018 Ky. Acts ch. 105, sec. 1, superseding the current version. SB 101 (Ch. 105) was delivered to the Governor on March 22, 2018. The 10-day, not counting Sundays, veto period began on the next day, March 23, and ended at midnight on April 3, 2018. The Governor returned that bill to the Secretary of State on April 2 without signing it. Therefore, since the Governor could have retrieved it and signed it or vetoed it prior to the end of April 3, the bill would not take effect until the first moment of April 4, 2018 following the expiration of the 10-day veto period. Legislative Research Commission Note (7/12/2012). Under the authority of KRS 7.136(1), the reviser of statutes in codification has changed the internal numbering of subsection (6) of this statute. the words in the text were not changed.