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Senate passes bill tightening mandatory reentry supervision eligibility
Summary
The Kentucky Senate passed Senate Bill 48 unanimously to narrow eligibility for mandatory reentry supervision, add reporting requirements for the Department of Corrections, and exclude some offenders with prior violent-felon classifications; the sponsor cited a 2024 homicide as motivation.
The Kentucky Senate on the floor passed Senate Bill 48, a measure that narrows who qualifies for mandatory reentry supervision and requires annual reporting by the Department of Corrections. The bill passed the Senate by a recorded vote of 38 yeas and no nays.
Senator from Laurel, explaining the legislation, said the bill would prohibit inmates from qualifying for mandatory reentry supervision if they had previously been convicted of two or more offenses that would classify them as a violent felon under KRS 439.3401 or if they were recommitted to prison for violations of probation, parole or conditional discharge. "Jordan's death could have been prevented if these provisions supported by Senate Bill 48 to the mandatory reentry supervision statutes had been enacted," the sponsor said, referencing Jordan Wells, who was shot on 03/30/2024 and died on 04/20/2024.
The sponsor also said the bill requires the Department of Corrections to produce an annual report on the results of the mandatory reentry supervision program and refer that report to interim joint judiciary committees or the standing committee on judiciary. The bill was presented to the body, discussion concluded with no requests for further recognition, and the clerk recorded 38 yays, no nays.
Senate Bill 48 alters statutory eligibility language for reentry supervision and adds oversight through periodic reporting; the bill passed the Senate and will proceed according to the legislative process. The statute cited during debate was identified as KRS 439.3401.
The Senate record shows the matter was moved for passage by the sponsor and approved by roll call; no amendments or recorded dissent were noted on the floor.
