New Kentucky Law Sets Guardrails on School Communication to Protect Students

A new student protection law has officially taken effect in Kentucky, placing guardrails on how school employees, coaches, and volunteers may communicate with minors. Senate Bill 181, sponsored by Sen. Lindsey Tichenor, was signed into law by Governor Andy Beshear earlier this year after passing the General Assembly with overwhelming bipartisan support. The legislation requires all school-related communication with students to happen through district-approved, traceable platforms that parents can access and monitor. Families who prefer to allow other forms of communication must opt in with written consent.

The law applies broadly—extending not only to teachers and staff but also to coaches, volunteers, and even family members who participate in official school roles. It was crafted in response to a pattern of misconduct and the growing role of digital platforms in grooming behavior. Between 2023 and 2024, the Kentucky Department of Education reported 135 cases of educator sexual misconduct, not including incidents involving classified staff and school volunteers. Research published in the Journal of Child Sexual Abuse found that 70 percent of offenders used technology or social media to gain access to students.

Sen. Tichenor, whose bill passed with a 137-0 vote, emphasized that it was written to close loopholes that have allowed inappropriate relationships to form outside the view of parents and administrators. The bill, she noted, was deeply personal to the victims and families who testified during the legislative process. Among them was Ashley Nation, a Kentucky resident and survivor of educator sexual abuse in Indiana, whose courage in sharing her story helped shape the bill’s language. Another pivotal case involved an Anderson County family who came forward about a school counselor they said had communicated privately with their daughter and allegedly manipulated her into distancing herself from her parents. That situation, which sparked statewide headlines, ultimately influenced key provisions of the bill.

One recent case in Northern Kentucky illustrated the kind of boundary-blurring behavior lawmakers hope to prevent. A teacher admitted to grooming an 18-year-old student by using private messages and gestures like delivering soup and ice cream, which eventually escalated into sexual contact. Because the communication occurred outside official platforms, neither school officials nor the student’s family were aware until it was too late. “This is a prime example of why SB 181 passed unanimously,” Tichenor said.

While the bill was authored by a Republican and backed by conservative advocacy groups, it garnered strong support from Democrats in both chambers, many of whom echoed the sentiment that safeguarding students transcends party lines. Democratic lawmakers praised the bill’s focus on parental rights and its thoughtful approach to restoring boundaries in a digital world. One Democratic representative remarked during debate that the law “strikes a balance between protecting kids and supporting teachers,” and several others commended the way Tichenor worked with survivors and educators to refine the language.

The bill had stalled in previous sessions but gained momentum this year after both the Kentucky Department of Education and the Education Professional Standards Board prioritized it. EPSB officials issued a formal endorsement, saying the law “promotes ethical behavior among all educators” and “draws clear boundaries that help prevent grooming.” Tichenor said the data made the path clear: private digital communication was a key access point in most cases, and cutting off that channel could be a powerful way to reduce abuse.

Although the law has been praised for protecting students and restoring oversight, some school personnel have raised questions about implementation. Educators and administrators want clarity on how the law applies to group chats for teams and student clubs, what constitutes a school volunteer, and how to document parental consent for alternative communication. Tichenor acknowledged those concerns and said she is working closely with KDE, EPSB, and school officials to address them before the new school year begins.

Despite the questions, Tichenor said the intent of the law remains widely supported. “We can fine-tune the details without changing the purpose. This law was built to protect students, and that mission is shared by everyone in the education system—regardless of political affiliation.”