SENATE BILL 20 PASSES SENATE WITH WIDESPREAD SUPPORT

SENATE BILL 20 PASSES SENATE 

WITH WIDESPREAD SUPPORT

Senate Bill 20 addresses the alarming rise in violent gun crimes involving youth

FRANKFORT, KY (Feb. 15, 2024) — Yesterday Senate Bill 20 passed on the Senate Floor with widespread support 25-9. Senator Matt Deneen, R-Elizabethtown, introduced Senate Bill 20 following an alarming trend of rising youth violence involving firearms. 

“As a father and career educator, it pains me that legislation is needed to address the rampant gun violence being committed by youthful offenders,” aid Deneen. “In far too many instances, juveniles are taking the lives of other juveniles, which in turn is threatening the peace and security of our communities. This isn't just an urban issue, but a problem that is affecting our rural communities as well.” 

“Individuals who commit violent felonies need to be held accountable. Senate Bill 20 provides justice for the victims and their families by holding those responsible for these violent felonies accountable.” 

.If signed into law, Commonwealth and County Attorneys will be required when handling cases involving juvenile offenders over the age of 15 who have been charged with a felony involving a firearm, to hold a hearing to determine, based on the evidence of the accused, whether a transfer to circuit court is applicable. The Commonwealth and County Attorneys will also be provided prosecutorial discretion before and after transfer to circuit court, in the event they agree the case should be sent back to juvenile court.

Individuals who have been charged with a felony in which a firearm, whether functional or not, was used in the commission of the offense over the age of fifteen may be charged as a result. If transferred to circuit court, teens will then be classified as “youthful offenders” and can face the same penalties an adult would, including prison.

Youthful offenders convicted as adults will be confined in a facility or program for juveniles or for youthful offenders. Once turning 18, offenders will return to circuit court for new sentencing proceedings. 

Additionally, Senate Bill 20 requires that violent offenders who have been convicted of a Class C felony violation shall not be released on probation, shock probation, parole, conditional discharge, or any other form of early release until he or she has served at least 50 percent of their sentence.

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Senator Matt Deneen, R-Elizabethtown, represents the 10th Senate District, including Hardin County and part of Jefferson County. He serves as the Senate Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection Committee vice chair and is chair of the Budget Review Subcommittee on Education. Deneen also serves as a member of the  Senate Agriculture, Appropriations and Revenue, and Judiciary Committees. Additionally, he serves as a member of the Education Assessment and Accountability Review Subcommittee, 2024-2026 Budget Preparation & Submission Statutory Committee, and the Tobacco Settlement Agreement Fund Oversight Statutory Committee.