Kentucky lawmakers advance bill clarifying teacher–student communication rules

Kentucky lawmakers are pushing for clarity when it comes to a law regulating how teachers and coaches communicate with students.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Kentucky lawmakers are pushing for clarity when it comes to a law regulating how teachers and coaches communicate with students.

The law requires teachers, coaches, and other school employees to use school-approved systems to message students.

A new bill would amend who the rules apply to. The proposal clarifies who counts as a coach and creates exemptions for students who work at schools during breaks.

It protects teachers who have second jobs and may need to message students in that role.

"Maybe they work at a city pool over the summer and oversee student lifeguards, or maybe they own a photography business and they do senior pictures," Rep. J.T. Payne, R-Henderson, said. "It would allow them to have those communications with students if that commercial involvement is disclosed to the school district."

The bill passed a House committee unanimously Thursday morning.

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).

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.