The judge ruled Monday that hearings and court documents will, for now at least, remain closed to the public.

The bill now needs a Senate vote and the governor's signature.

The judge's decision on Cane Madden's mental competency is expected next week.

But his testimony could be refuted when a hearing resumes on Friday.

The upcoming competency hearing will determine if the accused is mentally fit to stand trial.

In Kentucky, a dangerous gap in the law is allowing some mentally ill defendants with histories of violence to walk free.

A hearing that could decide Madden's future was set for mid-January.