LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — State legislators in Kentucky passed two bills aimed at protecting kids in the Commonwealth.

House Bill 4, which passed unanimously through the House and Senate, would make grooming a minor a criminal offense.

Under the bill, grooming would be considered a misdemeanor and a person could face up to one year in jail. The charge increases to a felony if the child is younger than 12.

"If you are guilty of grooming that little boy or little girl, you're gonna pay a price," said Terry Brooks, Kentucky Youth Advocates' executive director.

Additionally, part of House Bill 253 with provisions from House Bill 102 focuses on child abuse prevention.

The bill would put a ban on non-disclosure agreements between schools and school employees. This means if a teacher has past sexual misconduct allegations, their previous school must disclose that information to a new school upon request.

"An allegation came up, a teacher would just leave the school, and the school would drop the issue, really, not investigate it, and then that teacher would go to another school," said Representative James Tipton, who sponsored the bill and pushed for it for four years.

The bill would also implement required training for teachers that is focused on preventing sexual misconduct and grooming.

"I feel like I have a responsibility as a as a member of the General Assembly, do everything I can to protect our children," said Tipton.

Tipton said another part of the bill is to protect teachers. If there's no basis to an allegation, it would be removed from that teacher's permanent record.

"Both of these bills can give moms and dads and the kids themselves an assurance that when you walk into a school, you're going to be taken care of, you're gonna be safe and we're going to protect you," said Brooks.

Both bills are now awaiting signature from Gov. Andy Beshear.

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