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SB153 • 2026

AN ACT relating to the prevention of harmful and fraudulent practices.

AN ACT relating to the prevention of harmful and fraudulent practices.

Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
G. Elkins
Last action
2026-04-08
Official status
04/08/26: signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 54)
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 the prevention of harmful and fraudulent practices.

AN ACT relating to the prevention of harmful and fraudulent practices.

What This Bill Does

  • AN ACT relating to the prevention of harmful and fraudulent practices.

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.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

SCS1

Senate Committee Substitute 1

Retain original provisions, except require the Attorney General, Commonwealth's attorneys, and county attorneys to refer any report, investigation, or discovery of a fraudulent insurance act to the Commissioner of the Department of Insurance unless the fraudulent insurance act was previously reported to the Commissioner.

Plain English: UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 153/SCS 1 Page 1 of 20 SB015340.100 - 1962 - XXXX 2/12/2026 2:50 PM Senate Committee Substitute AN ACT relating to the prevention of harmful and fraudulent practices.

  • UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 153/SCS 1 Page 1 of 20 SB015340.100 - 1962 - XXXX 2/12/2026 2:50 PM Senate Committee Substitute AN ACT relating to the prevention of harmful and fraudulent practices.
  • 1 Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky: 2 Section 1.
  • KRS 367.620 is amended to read as follows: 3 As used in KRS 367.620 to 367.628: 4 (1) "Contractor": 5 (a) Means a person that engages in the business of contracting, providing, or 6 offering to contract or[, to] provide, goods or services relating to real estate; 7 and 8 (b) Includes any person that directly or indirectly solicits or offers a real estate 9 goods or services contract; 10 (2) "Goods or services relating to real estate": 11 (a) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this subsection, means goods, 12 services, or goods and services relating to real estate;[ and] 13 (b) Includes any: 14 1.
  • Repair, replacement, construction, reconstruction, or improvement of 15 real estate; and 16 2.

Bill History

  1. 2026-04-08 Kentucky Legislative Research Commission

    signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 54)

  2. 2026-03-27 Kentucky Legislative Research Commission

    received in Senate enrolled, signed by President of the Senate enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House delivered to Governor

  3. 2026-03-26 Kentucky Legislative Research Commission

    3rd reading, passed 90-0

  4. 2026-03-24 Kentucky Legislative Research Commission

    posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Wednesday, March 25 2026

  5. 2026-03-05 Kentucky Legislative Research Commission

    2nd reading, to Rules

  6. 2026-03-04 Kentucky Legislative Research Commission

    reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar

  7. 2026-03-02 Kentucky Legislative Research Commission

    to Banking & Insurance (H)

  8. 2026-02-13 Kentucky Legislative Research Commission

    received in House to Committee on Committees (H)

  9. 2026-02-12 Kentucky Legislative Research Commission

    3rd reading, passed 38-0 with Committee Substitute (1)

  10. 2026-02-11 Kentucky Legislative Research Commission

    2nd reading, to Rules posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Thursday, February 12 2026

  11. 2026-02-10 Kentucky Legislative Research Commission

    reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute (1)

  12. 2026-02-06 Kentucky Legislative Research Commission

    to Banking & Insurance (S)

  13. 2026-02-02 Kentucky Legislative Research Commission

    introduced in Senate to Committee on Committees (S)

Official Summary Text

AN ACT relating to the prevention of harmful and fraudulent practices.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 153/GA
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AN ACT relating to the prevention of harmful and fraudulent practices. 1
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky: 2
Section 1. KRS 367.620 is amended to read as follows: 3
As used in KRS 367.620 to 367.628: 4
(1) "Contractor": 5
(a) Means a person that engages in the business of contracting, providing, or 6
offering to contract or[, to] provide, goods or services relating to real estate; 7
and 8
(b) Includes any person that directly or indirectly solicits or offers a real estate 9
goods or services contract; 10
(2) "Goods or services relating to real estate": 11
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this subsection, means goods, 12
services, or goods and services relating to real estate;[ and] 13
(b) Includes any: 14
1. Repair, replacement, construction, reconstruction, or improvement of 15
real estate; and 16
2. Tree or debris removal; and 17
(c) Does not include: 18
1. Investigating, negotiating, or effecting the settlement of an insurance 19
claim; or 20
2. Otherwise adjusting losses or damages covered by an insurance 21
policy; 22
(3) "Insured" means a person that is entitled, or may be entitled, to receive benefits or 23
payments under a property, casualty, or property and casualty insurance policy; 24
(4) "Person" has the same meaning as in KRS 367.110; 25
(5) "Real estate": 26
(a) Means any parcel of real estate located in this state that is used for any 27
UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 153/GA
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purpose; and 1
(b) Includes: 2
1. Residential real estate; and 3
2. Commercial real estate; and 4
(6) "Real estate goods or services contract" means a contract for the provision of goods 5
or services relating to real estate, where the goods or services are expected to be 6
paid from property, casualty, or property and casualty insurance proceeds. 7
Section 2. KRS 367.624 is amended to read as follows: 8
Prior to entering into a real estate goods or services contract with any person, a contractor 9
shall furnish the person with: 10
(1) The mailing address of the contractor through which written communication may 11
be received; 12
(2) The telephone number of the contractor and, if applicable, the contractor's facsimile 13
number and email address; 14
(3) The following notices [A statement] in at least ten (10) point boldface type [ that 15
states]: 16
(a) "You may cancel this contract at any time before midnight on the fifth 17
business day after you have received written notification from the insurer that 18
all or any part of the contracted goods, services, or goods and services is not a 19
covered loss under the property, casualty, or property and casualty insurance 20
policy. This right to cancel is in addition to any other rights of cancellation 21
you may have under state or federal law or regulation. See the attached Notice 22
of Cancellation form for an explanation of this right."; and 23
(b) "This contract shall not assign or otherwise transfer, in whole or in part, 24
your duties, rights, or benefits under the property, casualty, or property and 25
casualty insurance policy in violation of KRS 304.20 -105. Any contract 26
entered in violation of KRS 304.20 -105 shall be void and unenforceable."; 27
UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 153/GA
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and 1
(4) A fully completed form in duplicate, under the conspicuous caption "NOTICE OF 2
CANCELLATION," and attached to but easily detachable from the contract, in at 3
least ten (10) point boldface type that shall read as follows: 4
"NOTICE OF CANCELLATION 5
....................................................... 6
(enter date of transaction) 7
If you are notified by the insurer that all or any part of the contracted goods, 8
services, or goods and services is not a covered loss under the property, casualty, or 9
property and casualty insurance policy, you may cancel this contract without 10
penalty or monetary obligation before midnight of the fifth business day after you 11
have received the notice. To cancel this transaction, you may use any of the 12
following methods: mail or otherwise deliver a signed and dated copy of this 13
cancellation notice, or any ot her written notice of cancellation which you sign and 14
date, to (enter physical address of contractor), or email a notice of cancellation to 15
(enter email address of contractor), or transmit a notice of cancellation to (enter 16
facsimile number of contractor), not later than midnight of the fifth day after you 17
receive notice from the insurer. 18
I HEREBY CANCEL THIS TRANSACTION. 19
........................................................ 20
(Date) 21
........................................................ 22
(Buyer's Signature)". 23
Section 3. KRS 367.626 is amended to read as follows: 24
(1) As used in this section, "emergency goods or services" means goods, services, or 25
goods and services to immediately respond to a sudden, unexpected occurrenc e that 26
poses a clear and imminent danger requiring immediate action to prevent or 27
UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 153/GA
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mitigate the loss or impairment of life, health, property, or essential public services. 1
(2) Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section: 2
(a) A contractor shall: 3
1. Not require any advance payments under a real estate goods or services 4
contract until the cancellation period provided in KRS 367.622 has 5
expired; and 6
2. Tender to the payor any payments, partial payments, or deposits made, 7
and any note or other evidence o f indebtedness provided, to the 8
contractor under a real estate goods or services contract within ten (10) 9
days after the contract has been cancelled under KRS 367.622; and 10
(b) 1. [Any provision contained in ] A real estate goods or services contract 11
[that requires the payment of any fee ] shall not be enforceable against 12
any person who entered into the contract with the contractor if the 13
contract: 14
a. Has been [against any person who has] cancelled[ the contract] 15
under KRS 367.622; or[and] 16
b.[(c)] [Any real estate goods or services contract that ] Contains a 17
price that violates KRS 367.374[ shall not be enforceable]. 18
2. A person shall not be required to pay a cancellation fee or any other 19
fee contained in, or required under, a contract that is not en forceable 20
against the person under subparagraph 1. of this paragraph. 21
(3) A contractor that provides any repair services or emergency goods or services 22
authorized under a real estate goods or services contract that is not enforceable by 23
the contractor [ has been cancelled] under subsection (2)(b) of this section [KRS 24
367.622], including but not limited to repair services necessary to prevent further 25
damage to the premises, shall be entitled to collect a reasonable and customary 26
amount for the goods, services, or goods and services provided. 27
UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 153/GA
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Section 4. KRS 367.628 is amended to read as follows: 1
(1) (a) Except as provided in paragraph[paragraphs (b) and] (c) of this subsection, a 2
contractor, or person representing a contractor, shall not: 3
1. Represent, negotiate, or advertise to represent or negotiate , as a public 4
adjuster or otherwise, on behalf of any insured on any insurance claim 5
in connection with the provision of goods or services relating to real 6
estate; or 7
2. Represent or market the contractor or person, any employee or agent 8
of the contractor or person, or any business of the contractor or 9
person as: 10
a. A claims specialist or expert; 11
b. An insurance specialist or expert; or 12
c. Having any affiliation with an insurer or an insurer's agent. 13
(b) Any provision of a contract between a contractor, or a person representing a 14
contractor, and an insured in violation of paragraph (a)1. of this subsection 15
shall not be enforceable. 16
(c) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prohibit a contractor, or 17
person representing a contractor, from: 18
1. Providing an estimate for the provision of goods or services relating to 19
real estate; or 20
2. Conferring with an insurance company's representati ve about damage to 21
real estate after a claim has been submitted by an insured[. 22
(c) This subsection shall not apply to a public adjuster licensed under Subtitle 9 23
of KRS Chapter 304]. 24
(2) Where goods or services relating to real estate are expected to be p aid from 25
property, casualty, or property and casualty insurance proceeds, a contractor or 26
person representing a contractor shall not: 27
UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 153/GA
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(a) Cause, or command or encourage another person to cause, damage to any 1
part of the real estate in order to: 2
1. Increase the scope of goods or services provided ; or [, or encourage a 3
person to cause damage to any part of the real estate in order to ] 4
2. Secure a contract for goods or services; 5
(b) Offer to pay or rebate all or any portion of an insurance deductible or claims 6
proceeds as an inducement to the sale of goods or services by a contractor; 7
(c) Grant an allowance or discount against the fee to be charged by a contractor; 8
(d) Pay or offer to pay the insured, or his or her representative, for whom services 9
have been or will be performed, for any reason, any form of compensation in 10
excess of one hundred dollars ($100), including but not limited to a: 11
1. Bonus; 12
2. Coupon; 13
3. Credit; 14
4. Gift; 15
5. Prize; 16
6. Referral fee; or 17
7. Any other item having a monetary value;[ or] 18
(e) Be financially connected, directly or indirectly, to any of the following in 19
the provision of the goods or services relating to real estate: 20
1. A public adjuster; 21
2. An appraiser; or 22
3. Any other person that specializes in: 23
a. Investigating, negotiating, or effecting the settlement of an 24
insurance claim; 25
b. Providing estimates other than estimates for goods or services 26
relating to real estate; 27
UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 153/GA
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c. Insurance; or 1
d. Supplements; 2
(f) Solicit or provide contracts on behalf of any other person or business 3
engaged in a claim under the policy for services that are outside the 4
contractor's scope of work, including but not limited to contracts for 5
appraisers, public adjusters, or any other person that specializes in: 6
1. Investigating, negotiating, or effecting the settlement of an insurance 7
claim; 8
2. Providing estimates other than estimates for goods or services relating 9
to real estate; 10
3. Insurance; or 11
4. Supplements; or 12
(g) File or claim a mechanic's lien pursuant to KRS 376.010 against an insured by 13
reason of the insured's failure or refusal to pay any excess charge over and 14
above the amount paid or expected to be paid by an insurer under a property, 15
casualty, or property and casualty insurance policy. 16
(3) In addition to being a violation of this section, a violation of subsection (2)(a) of 17
this section shall also be: 18
(a) A fraudulent insurance act in violation of Section 7 of this Act; and 19
(b) Criminal mischief in the first degree in violation of Section 8 of this Act. 20
Section 5. KRS 367.627 is amended to read as follows: 21
(1) The Attorney General shall enforce KRS 367.620 to 367.628. 22
(2) All of the remedies, powers, and duties provided to the Attorney General under 23
KRS 367.110 to 367.300, and the penalties provided in KRS 367.990, pertaining 24
to any violation of KRS 367.110 to 367.300, shall apply with equal force and 25
effect to a violation of KRS 367.620 to 367.628. 26
(3) (a) The Attorney General may institute an action in any court of competent 27
UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 153/GA
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jurisdiction against any person alleged to have violated KRS 367.620 to 1
367.628. 2
(b) A person injured by a violation of KRS 367.620 to 367.628 may institute an 3
action in any court of competent jurisdiction against any pers on alleged to 4
have committed the violation [Any person may maintain an action to enjoin 5
the continuing of any act in violation of KRS 367.620 to 367.628 and, if 6
injured by the act, may also maintain an action for the recovery of damages. 7
(b) If the court fi nds based on evidence presented by the plaintiff that the 8
defendant is violating or has violated any of the provisions of KRS 367.620 to 9
367.628, the court shall enjoin the defendant from continuing the violations]. 10
(c) In any action brought under this su bsection, if the court finds that the 11
person has committed one (1) or more violations of KRS 367.620 to 12
367.628: 13
1. The plaintiff may: [It shall not be necessary that actual economic 14
damages be alleged or proved by the plaintiff in order for the court to 15
enjoin violations. 16
(d) In addition to injunctive relief and any other relief the plaintiff may be entitled 17
to under this section:] 18
a. Obtain an injunction to enjoin a continuance of the unlawful 19
activity; 20
b.[1.] [The plaintiff in the action shall be entitled to ] Recover from the 21
defendant two (2) times the amount of any actual economic 22
damages sustained, which shall be paid to the injured person or 23
persons; and 24
c.[2.] Be awarded [The court may award the plaintiff] reasonable 25
attorney's[attorneys'] fees and costs; and[. 26
(2) In addition to the remedies provided under subsection (1) of this section: 27
UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 153/GA
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(a) All of the remedies, powers, and duties provided to the Attorney General 1
under KRS 367.110 to 367.300, and the penalties provided in KRS 367.990, 2
shall apply with equal force and effect to any act declared unlawful by KRS 3
367.620 to 367.628; and] 4
2.[(b)] In addition to the remedies and penalties provided under 5
subparagraph 1. of this paragraph, the Attorney General may recover a 6
civil penalty of five thousand dollars ($5,000) per violation [ against any 7
person who violates any provision of KRS 367.620 to 367.628]. 8
(4)[(3)] It shall not be necessary that actual economic damages be alleged or proved 9
in order to recover any other remedy or penalty authorized under this section. 10
(5) (a) The remedies and penalties prescribed in KRS 367.620 to 367.628 shall be 11
cumulative. 12
(b) KRS 367.620 to 367.628 shall not be construed to limit or restrict the 13
powers, duties, remedies, or penalties available to the Attorney General, the 14
Commonwealth, or any other person under any other statutory or common 15
law[Nothing in this secti on shall prohibit the Attorney General or any other 16
person from pursuing the recovery of damages afforded elsewhere under the 17
law]. 18
SECTION 6. A NEW SECTION OF KRS CHAPTER 15 IS CREATED TO 19
READ AS FOLLOWS: 20
The Attorney G eneral shall have concurrent jurisdiction with Commonwealth's 21
attorneys and county attorneys in the investigation and prosecution of offenses under 22
Section 7 of this Act. 23
Section 7. KRS 304.47-020 is amended to read as follows: 24
(1) For the purposes of this subtitle, a person or entity commits a "fraudulent insurance 25
act" if he or she engages in any of the following, including but not limited to 26
matters relating to workers' compensation: 27
UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 153/GA
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(a) Knowingly and with intent to de fraud or deceive presents, causes to be 1
presented, or prepares with knowledge or belief that it will be presented to an 2
insurer, Board of Claims, Special Fund, or any agent thereof: 3
1. Any written or oral statement as part of, or in support of, a claim for 4
payment or other benefit pursuant to an insurance policy or from a "self -5
insurer" as defined by KRS Chapter 342, knowing that the statement 6
contains any false, incomplete, or misleading information concerning 7
any fact or thing material to a claim; 8
2. To t he extent not otherwise included under subparagraph 1. of this 9
paragraph, any statement that misrepresents the scope of damages, 10
including repair costs and other expenses, associated with a property, 11
casualty, or property and casualty insurance claim, incl uding any claim 12
for towing or storage benefits under a property, casualty, or property and 13
casualty insurance policy, except this subparagraph shall not apply to 14
offers or counteroffers by legal counsel representing a plaintiff or 15
defendant in a disputed claim involving bodily injury; or 16
3. Any statement as part of, or in support of, an application for an 17
insurance policy, for renewal, reinstatement, or replacement of 18
insurance, or in support of an application to a lender for money to pay a 19
premium, knowing that the statement contains any false, incomplete, or 20
misleading information concerning any fact or thing material to the 21
application; 22
(b) Knowingly and willfully transacts any contract, agreement, or instrument 23
which violates this title; 24
(c) Knowingly and with intent to defraud or deceive: 25
1. Receives money for the purpose of purchasing insurance, and fails to 26
obtain insurance; 27
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2. Fails to make payment or disposition of money or voucher as defined in 1
KRS 304.17A -750, as required by agreement or legal obli gation, that 2
comes into his or her possession while acting as a licensee under this 3
chapter; 4
3. Presents, causes to be presented, or prepares with knowledge or belief 5
that it will be presented to or by an insurer, or to the commissioner, any 6
statement, knowing that the statement contains any false, incomplete, or 7
misleading information concerning any material fact or thing, as part of, 8
or in support of one (1) or more of the following: 9
a. The rating of an insurance policy; 10
b. The financial condition of an insurer; 11
c. The formation, acquisition, merger, reconsolidation, dissolution, or 12
withdrawal from one (1) or more lines of insurance in all or part of 13
this Commonwealth by an insurer; or 14
d. A document filed with the commissioner; or 15
4. Engages in any of the following: 16
a. Solicitation or acceptance of new or renewal insurance risks on 17
behalf of an insolvent insurer; or 18
b. Removal, concealment, alteration, tampering, or destruction of 19
money, records, or any other property or assets of an insurer; 20
(d) Issues or knowingly presents fake or counterfeit insurance policies, 21
certificates of insurance, insurance identification cards , insurance binders, or 22
any other documents that purport to evidence insurance; 23
(e) Makes any false or fraudulent representation as to the death or disability of a 24
policy or certificate holder in any written statement or certificate for the 25
purpose of fraudulently obtaining money or benefit from an insurer; 26
(f) Engages in unauthorized insurance, as set forth in KRS 304.11-030;[ or] 27
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(g) Violates subsection (2)(a) of Section 4 of this Act; or 1
(h) Assists, abets, solicits, or conspires with another to commit a fraudulent 2
insurance act in violation of this subtitle. 3
(2) A person convicted of a violation of subsection (1) of this section shall be guilty of 4
a Class A misdemeanor, unless the aggregate of the claim, benefit, or money 5
referred to in subsection (1) of this section is: 6
(a) Five hundred dollars ($500) or more but less than ten thousand dollars 7
($10,000), in which case it is a Class D felony; 8
(b) Ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or more but less than one million dollars 9
($1,000,000), in which case it is a Class C felony; or 10
(c) One million dollars ($1,000,000) or more, in which case it is a Class B felony. 11
(3) A person, with the purpose to establish or maintain a criminal syndicate or to 12
facilitate any of its activities, shall be guilty of engaging in organized crime, a Class 13
B felony, if he or she engages in any of the activities set forth in KRS 506.120(1). 14
(4) A person convicted of a crime established in this section shall be punished by: 15
(a) Imprisonment for a term: 16
1. Not to exceed the period set forth in KRS 532.090 if the crime is a Class 17
A misdemeanor; or 18
2. Within the periods set forth in KRS 532.060 if the crime is a Class D, C, 19
or B felony; 20
(b) A fine, per occurrence, of: 21
1. For a misdemeanor, not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) per 22
individual nor five thousand dollars ($5,000) per corporation or twice 23
the amount of gain received as a result of the violation, whichever is 24
greater; or 25
2. For a felony, not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) per 26
individual nor one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) per corporation, 27
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or twice the amount of gain received as a result of the violation; 1
whichever is greater; or 2
(c) Both imprisonment and a fine, as set forth in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this 3
subsection. 4
(5) (a) In addition to imprisonment, the as sessment of a fine, or both, a person 5
convicted of a crime established in this section may be ordered to make 6
restitution to any victim who suffered a monetary loss due to any actions by 7
that person which resulted in the adjudication of guilt, and to the d ivision for 8
the cost of any investigation. 9
(b) The amount of restitution shall equal the monetary value of the actual loss or 10
twice the amount of gain received as a result of the violation, whichever is 11
greater. 12
(6) Any person damaged as a result of a viol ation of any provision of this section shall 13
have a cause of action in a court of competent jurisdiction to recover 14
compensatory damages, plus all reasonable investigation and litigation expenses, 15
including attorney's[attorneys'] fees[, at the trial and appellate courts]. 16
(7) (a) The Attorney General shall have concurrent jurisdiction to investigate and 17
prosecute violations of this section in accordance with Section 6 of this Act. 18
(b) The Attorney General, a Commonwealth's attorney, or a county attorney 19
shall refer to the commissioner any report, investigation, or discovery of a 20
fraudulent insurance act that is received, initiated, or discovered by the 21
Attorney General, Commonwealth's attorney, or county attorney unless the 22
fraudulent insurance act has been previously reported to the commissioner. 23
(8) (a) The provisions of this section shall also apply to any agent, unauthorized 24
insurer or its agents or representatives, or surplus lines carrier who, with 25
intent, injures, defrauds, or deceives any claimant with regard to any claim. 26
(b) The claimant shall have the right to recover the damages provided in 27
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subsection (6) of this section. 1
Section 8. KRS 512.020 is amended to read as follows: 2
(1) A person is guilty of criminal mischief in the first degree when:[,] 3
(a) Having no right to do so or any reasonable ground to believe that he or she 4
has such right, he or she intentionally or wantonly: 5
1.[(a)] Defaces, destroys, or damages any property causing pecuniary loss 6
of five hundred dollars ($500) or more; 7
2.[(b)] Damages, possesses, or tampers with the operations of a key 8
infrastructure asset, as defined in KRS 511.100, in a manner that renders 9
the asset inoperable, in whole or in part, or renders the operation of the 10
asset harmful or dangerous; 11
3.[(c)] As a tenant, [intentionally or wantonly ] defaces, destroys, or 12
damages residential rental property causing pecuniary loss of five 13
hundred dollars ($500) or more; or 14
4.[(d)] As a squatter, [intentionally or wantonly ] defaces, destroys, or 15
damages real property causing pecu niary loss of five hundred dollars 16
($500) or more; or 17
(b) He or she violates subsection (2)(a) of Section 4 of this Act. 18
(2) Criminal mischief in the first degree is a Class D felony, unless: 19
(a) The offense occurs during a declared emergency as defined by KRS 39A.020 20
arising from a natural or man -made disaster, within the area covered by the 21
emergency declaration, and within the area impacted by the disaster, in which 22
case it is a Class C felony; 23
(b) For the first offense, if the defendant at any time prio r to trial effects repair or 24
replacement of the defaced, destroyed, or damaged property, makes complete 25
restitution in the amount of the damage, or performs community service as 26
required by the court, in which case it is a Class B misdemeanor. The court 27
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shall determine the number of hours of community service commensurate 1
with the total amount of monetary damage caused by or incidental to the 2
commission of the crime, of not less than sixty (60) hours; or 3
(c) For the second or subsequent offense, if the defendant at any time prior to trial 4
effects repair or replacement of the defaced, destroyed, or damaged property, 5
makes complete restitution in the amount of the damage, or performs 6
community service as required by the court, in which case it is a Class A 7
misdemeanor. The court shall determine the number of hours of community 8
service commensurate with the total amount of monetary damage caused by 9
or incidental to the commission of the crime, of not less than sixty (60) hours. 10
SECTION 9. A NEW SECTION OF KRS CHAPTER 367 IS CREATED TO 11
READ AS FOLLOWS: 12
(1) As used in this section: 13
(a) "Contractor" means any person or business engaged in: 14
1. Roofing or siding repair or replacement; 15
2. Water damage mitigation or restoration; or 16
3. Tree or debris removal; 17
(b) "Designated area" means the geographical area indicated in a state of 18
emergency declaration issued by: 19
1. The Governor, or a local chief executive officer, under KRS 39A.100; 20
or 21
2. A local government under KRS 39B.070; and 22
(c) "Local government" means any city, county, urban -county government, 23
consolidated local government, charter county government, or unified local 24
government. 25
(2) (a) When a state of emergency is declared by the Governor, a local chief 26
executive officer, or a local government under KRS 39A.100 or 39B.070, as 27
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applicable, and the state of emergency results from an incident or situation 1
that causes destruction to real estate, the Attorney General may issue an 2
order requiring all persons engaging in business as a c ontractor in the 3
designated area to comply with this section for a period of time determined 4
by the Attorney General to be sufficient to protect the lives, property, and 5
welfare of citizens in the designated area, which period of time may be 6
extended by subsequent order. 7
(b) If an order is issued under paragraph (a) of this subsection, the Attorney 8
General shall: 9
1. Subject to subsection (6)(c) of this section, issue an order determining 10
whether a local government within the designated area imposes 11
greater emergency registration or emergency licensure requirements 12
on contractors doing business in the designated area t han the 13
requirements in subsection (3)(a), (b), and (c) of this section; and 14
2. Issue a certificate of registration to any contractor that submits a 15
completed registration application that meets the requirements of this 16
section. 17
(c) All contractors engagin g in business within the designated area shall 18
comply with this section in accordance with any order issued by the 19
Attorney General under paragraph (a) of this subsection. 20
(d) A certificate of registration issued under paragraph (b)2. of this subsection 21
shall not be transferred, leased, or sold. 22
(e) Any peace officer in the designated area shall be authorized to enforce an 23
order issued under paragraph (a) of this subsection. 24
(3) Except as provided in subsection (5) of this section, a contractor subject to a n 25
order issued under subsection (2)(a) of this section shall: 26
(a) Submit an application for registration to the Attorney General, and on a 27
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form established by the Attorney General, which shall at a minimum, 1
include: 2
1. The name, physical address, phone num ber, mailing address, and 3
email address of the contractor; 4
2. The name, Social Security number, physical address, mailing address, 5
and phone number of the owner of the contractor business; 6
3. The name, driver's license number, Social Security number, and d ate 7
of birth of a local contact person, who shall be responsible for the 8
conduct of all employees and solicitors of the contractor in the 9
designated area; 10
4. The following: 11
a. Evidence that the contractor has a liability insurance policy or 12
bond; 13
b. The name and phone number of the insurer or bond company; 14
and 15
c. If applicable, the policy number; 16
5. Evidence of the contractor's compliance with applicable workers' 17
compensation laws and, if applicable, the risk number; 18
6. Any former names under which the cont ractor has operated in the 19
past ten (10) years; and 20
7. Whether the contractor has been the subject of a business -related 21
lawsuit; 22
(b) Upon request, provide a copy of the contractor's certificate of registration to 23
any: 24
1. Person doing business with the con tractor in the designated area, 25
including but not limited to customers and prospective customers; 26
2. Official, employee, or other representative of a local government in the 27
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designated area; and 1
3. Peace officer in the designated area; 2
(c) Conspicuously po st a copy of the contractor's certificate of registration at 3
each job site within the designated area; 4
(d) Provide proof of the contractor's registration under this section to an 5
insured and the insured's insurer with any authorization of a direction of 6
payment under a property, casualty, or property and casualty insurance 7
claim; and 8
(e) Comply with: 9
1. Subsection (4) of this section; and 10
2. KRS 367.620 to 367.628. 11
(4) (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection, in order to protect 12
the safety and well-being of first responders, victims of the declared state of 13
emergency, and others in the designated area, a contractor shall not solicit 14
business in person with in the designated area for ninety (90) days after the 15
state of emergency was declared without prior approval of the property 16
owner. 17
(b) This subsection shall not prohibit: 18
1. A contractor from soliciting business in person upon the request of the 19
property owner; 20
2. Public advertising; or 21
3. Direct communications by telephone or digital means. 22
(5) (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection, a local government 23
shall not require any emergency registration or emergency licensure for a 24
contractor that complies with subsection (3)(a), (b), and (c) of this section 25
during the period of time determined by the Attorney General under 26
subsection (2)(a) of this section. 27
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(b) If the Attorney General issues an order under subsection (2)(b)1. of this 1
section determining that a local government in the designated area imposes 2
emergency registration or emergency licensure requirements for contractors 3
that are greater than the requirements imposed under subsection (3)(a), (b), 4
and (c) of this section, a contractor doing business in the designated area 5
shall: 6
1. Comply with all of the emergency registration or emergency licensure 7
requirements of the local government; and 8
2. Be exempt from subsection (3)(a), (b), and (c) of this section. 9
(6) (a) When a state of emerg ency is declared by the Governor, a local chief 10
executive officer, or a local government under KRS 39A.100 or 39B.070, as 11
applicable, and the state of emergency results from an incident or situation 12
that causes destruction to real estate, a local governmen t in the designated 13
area may submit a written declaration to the Attorney General that: 14
1. States that the local government's emergency registration or 15
emergency licensure requirements for contractors are greater than the 16
requirements imposed under subsect ion (3)(a), (b), and (c) of this 17
section; and 18
2. Includes a copy of the applicable ordinances, orders, or regulations of 19
the local government. 20
(b) If a local government files a declaration under paragraph (a) of this 21
subsection, the Attorney General shall, within five (5) days of receiving the 22
declaration, provide a written response to the local government that: 23
1. Affirms the declaration; or 24
2. Rejects the declaration. 25
(c) An order issued by the Attorney General under subsection (2)(b)1. of this 26
section sh all conform to the response provided to the local government 27
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under paragraph (b) of this subsection. 1
(7) The Attorney General may promulgate administrative regulations in accordance 2
with KRS Chapter 13A necessary for or as an aid to the effectuation of thi s 3
section. 4
(8) This section shall not prevent a local government from enforcing any ordinance 5
or regulation of general applicability related to occupational licenses, including 6
the local government's existing ordinances governing itinerant merchants. 7
Section 10. KRS 411.230 is amended to read as follows: 8
A civil action may be maintained under this section against any person that knowingly 9
directs or causes a person to violate KRS 512.020(1) (a)2.[(b)]. Liability shall incl ude 10
actual damages to personal or real property caused by the offense and may include 11
punitive damages and court costs. 12
Section 11. If any provision of this Act, or this Act's application to any person 13
or circumstance, i s held invalid, the invalidity shall not affect other provisions or 14
applications of the Act, which shall be given effect without the invalid provision or 15
application, and to this end the provisions and applications of this Act are severable. 16
Section 12. Sections 1 to 4 of this Act apply to contracts entered into on or after 17
the effective date of this Act. 18