Legislators have been questioned on the implementation and general necessity of Senate Bill 181, which passed 137-0 and was signed into law by the governor in April.
The law mandates that volunteers and school employees communicate directly with pupils via district-approved, traceable platforms that parents can view and keep an eye on. Parents can opt in by giving their written approval if they would rather communicate in other ways. This law, which was thoughtfully drafted to safeguard pupils, is equally applicable to coaches, volunteers, staff, teachers, and family members. It guarantees that a procedure is in place to look into, notify parents, and hold people accountable if a boundary is breached.
For victims like Ashley Nation and families like those from Anderson County, who courageously spoke in committee and pushed for more robust safeguards for students, this bill holds great emotional significance. In addition to receiving a lot of attention, their experience was crucial in forming this law, forging clearer limits, and averting more harm.
Regretfully, these encounters just scratch the surface of what goes on. With the exception of incidents involving other employees and volunteers, the Kentucky Department of Education documented 135 instances of sexual misconduct against educators between 2023 and 2024. According to a different survey, 70% of criminals reached out to kids via social media or technology. When values conflict with those in power, SB 181 tackles the more general problem of grooming students away from their families in addition to wrongdoing. The basic right of parents to guide their children’s upbringing has been upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court. SB 181 upholds that liberty by mandating openness in correspondence.
The public had plenty of time to examine SB 181. Similar legislation was introduced by me in 2024. The problem remained a priority even though it didn’t gain traction. One of their legislative objectives this year is grooming, therefore the KDE and the Educational Professional Standards Board (EPSB) approached me about introducing a bill on the subject. They penned:
To protect the safety and wellbeing of students, the EPSB backs initiatives to encourage moral conduct among all teachers. The EPSB supports initiatives to prevent boundary violations between students and teachers, such as explicit bans on grooming practices.
As conversations went on, information revealed that in the majority of grooming situations, private electronic communication was the crucial component. Reducing grooming cases in schools became reasonable and successful when this common access point was closed.
On February 14, I submitted SB 181, and it proceeded through the parliamentary procedure. In the Legislative Session of 2025, no issues were brought up.
Education leaders have since informed me of the clarifications that are required, even though the bill passed with little opposition. I’m determined to improve the wording while making sure the legislation safeguards students and maintains the integrity of Kentucky’s educational system.
Clarification may be required in a number of areas, such as the definition of a school volunteer, which family members are excluded (such as stepparents, in-laws, and cousins), and how to use social media and texting in group settings. Concerns have also been expressed on how districts ought to respect parental written consent for communications with third parties.
Districts are given the freedom to choose traceable communication solutions that best suit their requirements thanks to SB 181. I applaud those who are already using the law with consideration, and I urge others to participate in the process and assist in selecting the best tools from the wide range of alternatives.
Despite reservations, most people agree with the law’s aim. Teachers and students should be able to study and work in a setting based on honesty and trust. I’m still determined to accomplish this aim by collaborating with educators.
The 6th Senate District, which includes portions of Jefferson County and Oldham and Trimble Counties, is represented by Senator Lindsey Tichenor, a Republican from Smithfield. She is the Senate Education Commission’s vice chair and was the main backer of Senate Bill 181 in 2025.