Kentucky Passes New Social Work Regulations

Legislation sponsored by Rep. Samara Heavrin modernizes state's social work laws

Apr. 15, 2026 at 4:45pm

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A quiet, cinematic painting of a solitary social worker's desk in a dimly lit government office, bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conceptually representing the modernization of Kentucky's social work regulations.The passage of new social work regulations in Kentucky aims to modernize the profession and better support the crucial role social workers play in communities across the state.Leitchfield Today

Kentucky has passed new legislation, House Bill 424, that updates the state's social work regulations. The bill, sponsored by Republican Rep. Samara Heavrin, exempts social work students and trainees from licensing requirements, directs the state's social work board to define supervision standards, establishes new licensure standards, and requires at least one board member to be an active social work educator.

Why it matters

The new law aims to align Kentucky's social work regulations with current best practices while continuing to prioritize the safety of families and children receiving services. Social workers play a crucial role in supporting communities across the state, and this legislation is intended to strengthen and modernize the social work profession in Kentucky.

The details

House Bill 424 includes several key provisions, such as exempting social work students and trainees from licensing requirements, directing the Kentucky Board of Social Work to define supervision standards for student involvement in clinical social work, establishing new licensure standards including use of a multistate license and criminal background checks, and requiring at least one board member to be an active social work educator.

  • The bill was signed into law by Gov. Andy Beshear on April 15, 2026.

The players

Rep. Samara Heavrin

The Republican state representative from Leitchfield who sponsored House Bill 424.

Gov. Andy Beshear

The Democratic governor of Kentucky who signed the social work regulations bill into law.

Rep. George Brown Jr.

The Democratic state representative from Lexington who co-sponsored House Bill 424.

Rep. Beverly Chester-Burton

The Democratic state representative from Shively who co-sponsored House Bill 424.

Kentucky Board of Social Work

The state regulatory board that will be tasked with drafting new administrative regulations to define supervision standards for social work students and trainees.

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What they’re saying

“'Each year, countless families across the commonwealth are impacted by the support and guidance they receive from social workers. This legislation is a reflection of the need to modernize Kentucky's existing laws to align with current best practices while continuing to prioritize the safety of families and children receiving services.'”

— Rep. Samara Heavrin, Sponsor of House Bill 424

“'I am incredibly proud to have worked to strengthen social work in Kentucky with House Bill 424. Support from stakeholders, both chambers, as well as the governor, makes the passage of this bill into law even more special, and I am excited to see the positive impact it will have on our state.'”

— Rep. Samara Heavrin, Sponsor of House Bill 424

What’s next

The Kentucky Board of Social Work will now be tasked with drafting new administrative regulations to define supervision standards for social work students and trainees as outlined in the new law.

The takeaway

This legislation represents an important step forward in modernizing Kentucky's social work regulations to better support the crucial role social workers play in communities across the state. By aligning the state's laws with current best practices and prioritizing the safety of families and children, this new law aims to strengthen the social work profession and the services it provides.