KLS Keeping Law Simple Legislation in plain English

Straight-ahead summaries built from the official bill text. We keep the source links front and center and leave the decision up to you.

Back to Kentucky

HB539 • 2026

AN ACT relating to foreign laws.

AN ACT relating to foreign laws.

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
B. Wesley
Last action
2026-02-10
Official status
02/10/26: to Judiciary (H)
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

AN ACT relating to foreign laws.

AN ACT relating to foreign laws.

What This Bill Does

  • AN ACT relating to foreign laws.

Limits and Unknowns

  • This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-10 Kentucky Legislative Research Commission

    to Judiciary (H)

  2. 2026-02-03 Kentucky Legislative Research Commission

    introduced in House to Committee on Committees (H)

Official Summary Text

AN ACT relating to foreign laws.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1084
Page 1 of 2
XXXX 1/12/2026 10:47 AM Jacketed
AN ACT relating to foreign laws. 1
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky: 2
SECTION 1. A NEW SECTION OF KRS CHAPTER 446 IS CREATED TO 3
READ AS FOLLOWS: 4
(1) As used in this section, the term "foreign law, legal code, or system" means any 5
law, legal code, or system of a jurisdiction outside of any state or territory of the 6
United States, including international organizations and tribunals. 7
(2) (a) A ruling or decision of a court, arbitration panel, tribunal, or administrative 8
agency which is based, in whole or in part, on Sharia or any foreign law, 9
legal code, or system; or 10
(b) A contract, or contractual provision if severable, which: 11
1. Provides for the choice of Sharia or any foreign law, legal code, or 12
system; or 13
2. Grants jurisdiction to a foreign tribunal; 14
is void and unenforceable if the ruling, decision, contract, or contractual 15
provision allows the application of Sharia or any foreign law, legal code, or 16
system that denies the parties the fundamental liberties, rights, and privileges 17
guaranteed under the Constitution of the United States or the Constitution of 18
Kentucky. 19
(3) This section shall not: 20
(a) Disapprove or abrogate existing precedent of the Supreme Court of 21
Kentucky; 22
(b) Limit adjudication of ecclesiastical matters of a religious organization, 23
including the selection, appointment, discipline, or removal of clergy or 24
interpretation of doctrine; 25
(c) Apply to corporations, partnerships, or associations that voluntarily subject 26
themselves to foreign law or courts; or 27
UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1084
Page 2 of 2
XXXX 1/12/2026 10:47 AM Jacketed
(d) Apply where federal law preempt s state law, including obligations under 1
treaties or international agreements. 2