Gov. Beshear Signs Legislation To Create Kentucky’s First Reentry Campus, Increase Safety

House Bills 5 and 7, Senate Bill 102

FRANKFORT, Ky. (April 9, 2026) - Today, Gov. Andy Beshear signed House Bill 5 into law, serving as the first step toward creating Kentucky's first reentry campus in partnership with the Kentucky Community & Technical College System (KCTCS). The Governor also signed House Bill 7 to increase school bus safety for students and Senate Bill 102 to support retired Kentucky State Police.

"My faith teaches me the importance of second chances, and I am grateful to know this joint vision between Team Kentucky and KCTCS was supported through bipartisan legislation, which I am proud to sign into law," said Gov. Beshear. "This first-of-its-kind reentry campus will increase second-chance opportunities, boost public safety and help us fill vital positions across our economy. This work will build on the progress we've made to secure historically low recidivism rates, making Kentucky a national model when it comes to public safety and second chances."

The Governor thanked KCTCS President Ryan Quarles for his partnership and collaboration in creating a plan for a specialized prison education and reentry campus, which will be located at the Northpoint Training Center.

"KCTCS is committed to preparing every Kentuckian to secure meaningful employment and to help meeting workforce needs across the state. House Bill 5 is a powerful way we are advancing that mission," KCTCS President Quarles said. "Thank you to the Governor and the Department of Corrections for their partnership with this important measure, and thank you to our legislative champions, Rep. Decker and Sen. Storm, and the many bill sponsors who are helping us build on the strong work our colleges are already doing in prisons and jails throughout Kentucky. Together, this initiative will save taxpayer dollars, reduce crime and fill critical workforce gaps across the commonwealth."

Other legislation signed by the Governor today focused on supporting retired Kentucky State Police and increasing safety for Kentucky students during their school bus rides.

"Every step makes a difference when it comes to creating a safer Kentucky for all our people, especially our kids, and that work must include supporting our law enforcement," said the Governor.

House Bill 5 provides the framework to create Kentucky's first reentry campus, focused on increasing public safety and boosting the state's workforce.

House Bill 7 allows the use of camera monitoring systems on school buses to increase safety for students and establishes a penalty for those who violate stop arm signals and endanger children.

Senate Bill 102 makes it possible for retired Kentucky State Police who were appointed to Trooper R Class or commercial vehicle enforcement to return and serve the agency within specific timeframes.

Other 2026 Bill Signings
Earlier this week, Gov. Beshear signed legislation supporting different areas of health care including House Bill 393, House Bill 510 and Senate Bill 97, as well as legislation aimed at lowering mortgage and utility costs with Senate Bill 57 and Senate Bill 157. The Governor also signed House Bill 307 to create a proactive admissions program to streamline the application process for students seeking postsecondary and House Bill 642 to increase the amount a retired teacher can earn during reemployment.

On Good Friday, Gov. Beshear signed several bills to better support Kentuckians with special needs and their families: Senate Bill 69, Senate Bill 85 and House Bill 562. On April 2, the Governor signed "Logan's Law" into law with the father of Logan Tipton by his side. The legislation will strengthen Kentucky's sentencing and parole laws to increase safety.

In March, Gov. Beshear signed several bills to support education and safety for Kentuckians. These pieces of legislation included Senate Bill 2, directing school districts to not increase administrator pay greater than the percentage pay increase provided to classroom teachers; Senate Bill 5 encouraging schools to purchase locally grown food; Senate Bill 46, which makes changes to student transportation for increased safety; and House Bill 657, which protects consumers by requiring national and state background checks for specialty providers.

He also signed Senate Bill 145 related to regulations for the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, and signed Senate Bill 11 into law, establishing a residential safe room rebate program and fund to protect eligible Kentuckians from severe weather.

In February, Gov. Beshear signed Senate Bill 172, which helped lower the cost of utilities for Kentucky families.

The Governor also stood with Kentucky public schools in March and vetoed House Bill 1. Click here for the full veto message.