LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Lawmakers in Frankfort are clarifying a Kentucky law regulating how teachers and coaches communicate with students.

The communication crackdown first took effect in 2025 under Senate Bill 181. The law requires teachers, coaches, volunteers and other school employees who message students to use school-approved systems that can be tracked by the district. Parents must also be included in those conversations.

The bill has exceptions, such as for teachers' own children and some family members who are students. Parents can also seek written exemptions to let specific teachers communicate outside the designated system (e.g., text their child directly).

"Senate Bill 181 is a very well intentioned piece of legislation that maybe had some unintended consequences," said Rep. J.T. Payne, R-Henderson.

Lawmakers say their goal is to protect students by preventing private or untraceable communication between staff and students. However, since the law took effect, some teachers say it's made their jobs harder.

"And probably every school district in the state has brought complaints to legislators about this," said Rep. Lisa Willner, D-Louisville.

Lawmakers are now working on a fix to clear up confusion and close loopholes. House Bill 67 passed out of the House Education Committee this week. The legislation keeps the protections put in place by SB 181, but clarifies who the rules apply to. 

"It's a cleanup bill," Payne said.

The proposal expands the definition of family members in a student's household, clarifies who counts as a coach and creates exemptions for students who work at schools during breaks.

"Over the summer, they work for maintenance or something like that," Payne said. "It exempts them if they're an enrolled student."

It also protects teachers who have second jobs and may need to message students in that role, such as youth group pastors, DoorDash drivers or teachers who run photography businesses.

"It exempts them as long as they disclose that involvement at the beginning of the year," Payne said.

Right now, text messages and certain group messaging apps are banned under the existing law. HB 67 would allow group chats when several faculty members or coaches are included.

Lawmakers say that could help with logistics, such as out-of-state field trips or last-minute practice changes. 

The bill also makes it clear that public social media posts and comments are allowed.

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