SENATE PASSES BILL TO STRENGTHEN CHILD EXPLOITATION INVESTIGATIONS

SENATE PASSES BILL TO STRENGTHEN 

CHILD EXPLOITATION INVESTIGATIONS

Sen. Danny Carroll’s legislation modernizes law enforcement tools to track online predators while safeguarding due process

FRANKFORT, KY (Feb. 26, 2025)—The Kentucky Senate has approved 35-0 Senate Bill (SB) 169, sponsored by Sen. Danny Carroll, to strengthen law enforcement’s ability to investigate crimes related to child exploitation, harassment, and stalking in the digital age.

“Predators are running faster and faster in their online efforts to gain access to and harm our kids. Law enforcement must continue modernizing to address this metastasizing threat” said Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman. “I’m grateful to Senator Carroll for his strong leadership on this legislation that will give us the right tools to do our job to protect the kids of this commonwealth.”

The legislation updates a 2009 law that first authorized the attorney general to issue administrative subpoenas for electronic records in child exploitation cases, later expanded to the Kentucky State Police in 2013. SB 169 further modernizes these tools by allowing subpoenas for records from social networks, mobile payment services, and cloud storage providers to reflect how predators now use technology to target children. However, more sensitive data—such as emails, passwords, and account content—will still require a warrant.

“This legislation provides critical tools to help law enforcement stop online predators while preserving due process protections,” Carroll said. “By expediting access to key digital evidence, we are ensuring that investigations move swiftly without compromising individual rights.”

The bill now moves to the State House of Representatives for consideration.

###

Sen. Danny Carroll, R-Paducah, represents the 2nd Senate District, including Ballard, Carlisle, Livingston, Marshall, and McCracken Counties. He serves as chair of the Senate Families and Children Committee. Sen. Carroll is also a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, the Senate Health Services Committee, and the Senate Education Committee. Additionally, he is a Legislative Oversight and Investigations Statutory Committee member and serves as an ex officio (non-voting) Juvenile Justice Oversight Council member.

For a high-resolution .jpeg of Carroll, please visit: https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators%20Full%20Res%20Images/senate102.jpg. 

Please visit Legislature.ky.gov for more information on Senate Majority Caucus members and the 2025 Legislative Session, including committees, membership, legislation, and more.

Live legislative coverage is available at KET.org/legislature and via the Legislative Research Commission YouTube channel.  

Access archived footage of legislative meetings at ket.org/legislature/archives.

Follow the Kentucky Senate Majority Caucus on X, Facebook, and Instagram. Visit KYSenateRepublicans.com for information on caucus members and to view press releases from our office.