National Registered Sex Offender Laws

Kentucky Sex Offenders

Kentucky’s general assembly adopted the state's version of Megan’s law in 1994. The law states that persons found guilty of a specific sex crime must register with the state’s criminal justice department.

Kentucky’s Sex offender law took effect on January 1, 1995. The law protects the citizens of the state from the menace of sex offenders. Sex offenders upon conviction must complete the necessary registration process.

The law mandates the court to inform persons found guilty of sex crimes about their obligation to register. It ensures that individuals guilty of sex crimes acknowledge their responsibilities towards registration.

Repeat offenders, sexually violent offenders, repeat child molesters, and other high-risk sex offenders are required to be registered as sex offenders for life.

Sex offenders that do not require a lifetime registration are required to register for 20 years following their discharge from confinement or 20 years after the maximum date of discharge from parole, probation, or any other condition of release.

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Kentucky Sex Offender Registry

The Kentucky Sex Offenders Registry handles the registration of sex offenders in the state. The registry ensures that all data registered by an offender is accurate and up to date. Information regarding sex offenders in Kentucky is submitted to a central database managed by the state's justice department.

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Kentucky Sex Offender Infographic

Kentucky Sex Offender Infographic

Learn and share vital facts and figures about Kentucky sex offenders with this convenient infographic.

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Kentucky Sex Offender Facts

Facts

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Top Offenses
  • SEXUAL ABUSE 1ST DEGREE
  • CRIME FOR OTHER STATE,TERRITORY, OR COUNTRY
  • CRIME FROM OTHER STATE,TERRITORY, OR COUNTRY
  • RAPE 3RD DEGREE
  • RAPE 2ND DEGREE
Counties in Kentucky with the highest number of offenders:
  • Jefferson County
  • Fayette County
  • Daviess County
  • Hardin County
  • Oldham County
Zip Codes in Kentucky with the highest number of offenders:

See All ZIP Codes >

Nearby States:
Kentucky Sex Crimes Requiring Offender Registration
  • Kidnapping (of a person under the age of 18), except by a parent - KY. REV. STAT. ANN. § 509.040.
  • Unlawful confinement (of a person under the age of 18), except by a parent - KY. REV. STAT. ANN. §509.020.
  • Promoting a sexual performance of a minor - KY. REV. STAT. ANN. § 531.320.
  • Human trafficking involving commercial sexual activity- KY. REV. STAT. ANN. § 531. 100.
  • Promoting prostitution, when the defendant advances or profits from the prostitution of a person under the age of 18 (1st, 2nd, 3rd degrees) - KY. REV. STAT. ANN. §§ 529.030-529.050.
  • Use of a minor in a sexual performance - KY. REV. STAT. ANN. § 531.310.
  • Sexual abuse (2nd and 3rd degrees) - KY. REV. STAT. ANN. §§ 510.120-510.130.
  • NOTE: Any attempt or solicitation to commit one of the offenses listed above.
  • Rape (1st, 2nd, 3rd degrees) - KY. REV. STAT. ANN. §§ 510.040 to .060.
  • Sodomy (1st, 2nd, 3rd degrees) - KY. REV. STAT. ANN. §§ 510.070 to .090.
  • Sexual abuse (1st, 2nd, 3rd degrees) - KY. REV. STAT. ANN. §§ 510.110 to .130.
  • Sexual misconduct - KY. REV. STAT. ANN. § 510.140.
  • 3rd and subsequent offenses of Indecent exposure (1st degree) - KY. REV. STAT. ANN. § 510.148.
  • Incest - KY. REV. STAT. ANN. § 530.020.
  • Unlawful transaction with a minor in the first degree - KY. REV. STAT. ANN. § 530.064.
  • Any felony attempt to commit one of the sex crimes listed above.
  • A federal felony offense, a felony offense subject to a court-martial of the United States Armed Forces, or a felony offense from another state or territory where the felony offense is similar to a felony offense specified.
Information Maintained in Kentucky Sex Offender Registry

KY. REV. STAT. ANN. § 17.500

(6):

  • name
  • social security number
  • age
  • race
  • sex
  • date of birth
  • height
  • weight
  • hair and eye color
  • fingerprints
  • photograph
  • aliases used
  • residence
  • a brief description of the crime(s) committed
  • other information deemed useful in the identification of registrants

Community Notification and Websites

K.R.S. § 17.580

(1) The Kentucky State Police shall establish a Web site available to the public.

(6) In addition to the Web site, a local law enforcement agency may provide personal notification regarding the registrants located in its jurisdiction

Limitations on Residency or Employment

KRS Section 17.545

(1) No registrant, as defined in KRS 17.500, who is placed on probation, parole, or any form of supervised release, shall reside within one thousand (1,000) feet of a high school, middle school, elementary school, preschool, publicly owned playground, or licensed day care facility. The measurement shall be taken in a straight line from the nearest property line wall of the school to the nearest property line wall of the registrant's place of residence.

(2) For purposes of this section:(a) The registrant shall have the duty to ascertain whether any property listed in subsection (1) of this section is within one thousand (1,000) feet of the registrant's residence; and (b) If a new facility opens, the registrant shall be presumed to know and, within ninety (90) days, shall comply with this section.

(3) Any person who violates subsection (1) of this section shall be guilty of: (a) A Class A misdemeanor for a first offense; and (b) A Class D felony for the second and each subsequent offense.

(4) Any registrant residing within one thousand (1,000) feet of a high school, middle school, elementary school, preschool, publicly owned playground, or licensed day care facility on the effective date of this Act shall move and comply with this section within ninety (90) days of the effective date of this Act, and thereafter, shall be subject to the penalties set forth under subsection (3) of this section.

KY. REV. STAT. ANN. § 17.165

(4) No child-care center as defined in KRS 199.894 shall employ, in a position, which involves supervisory or disciplinary power over a minor or direct contact with a minor, any person who is a violent offender or has been convicted of a sex crime. Each child-care center shall request all conviction information for any applicant for employment from the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet or the Administrative Office of the Courts prior to employing the applicant.

Duration of Registration

K.R.S. § 17.520

(2) (a) Lifetime registration is required for:

1. Any person who has been convicted of kidnapping, as set forth in KRS 509.040, when the victim is under the age of eighteen (18) at the time of the commission of the offense, except when the offense is committed by a parent;

2. Any person who has been convicted of unlawful confinement, as set forth in KRS 509.020, when the victim is under the age of eighteen (18) at the time of the commission of the offense, except when the offense is committed by a parent;

3. Any person convicted of a sex crime: a. that has one (1) or more prior convictions of a felony criminal offense against a victim who is a minor;

or

b. Who has one (1) or more prior sex crime convictions;

4. Any person who has been convicted of two (2) or more felony criminal offenses against a victim who is a minor;

5. Any person who has been convicted of:

  1. Rape in the first degree under KRS 510.040; or
  2. Sodomy in the first degree under KRS 510.070; and

6. Any sexually violent predator.

(3) 20 years for all registrants not subject to lifetime registration.

Timeframe for Registration

Within 14 days of release; 14 days of being notified by parole/probation officer after moving into state (inferred from legislation); 14 days of changing address

Applies to Offenders Convicted in another State?

Yes, if on active supervision

Verification of Address

Lifetime registrants are verified every 90 days; all other registrants are verified annually.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Class D felony for the first offense and a Class C felony for each subsequent offense.

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