Kentucky Lawmaker Proposes Constitutional Amendment for Abortion Rights

Bill would establish fundamental right to reproductive freedom, including abortion

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A Kentucky state representative has introduced a constitutional amendment bill that would establish the fundamental right to reproductive freedom, including abortion. House Bill 476, filed by Rep. Daniel Grossberg, D-Louisville, proposes to bar the state from penalizing or prosecuting a woman based on her pregnancy outcomes and allow for abortion regulation only after fetal viability, with exceptions to protect the life or health of the pregnant person.

Why it matters

This bill is a direct response to the U.S. Supreme Court's 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson decision, which overturned Roe v. Wade and allowed states to set their own abortion laws. If passed, it would enshrine abortion rights in Kentucky's constitution, potentially overriding the state's existing abortion bans.

The details

HB 476 would establish the right of Kentuckians to make decisions about all matters relating to pregnancy, including abortion. It would prohibit the state from taking adverse actions against a woman or someone aiding her in exercising this right. The bill allows for abortion regulation after fetal viability, but requires exceptions to protect the life or health of the pregnant person. Supporters say it would restore the status quo before Dobbs, while opponents argue it would create an unlimited right to abortion.

  • HB 476 was filed in the Kentucky legislature in 2026.
  • The bill has been assigned to the Elections, Constitutional Amendments & Intergovernmental Affairs committee.

The players

Rep. Daniel Grossberg

A Democratic state representative from Louisville who introduced HB 476.

Richard Nelson

Executive director of the Commonwealth Policy Center, who criticized the bill as creating an unlimited right to abortion.

Addia Wuchner

Executive director of Kentucky Right to Life, who said the bill would "strip away" protections for unborn children.

Jessica Kalb, Lisa Sobel and Sarah Baron

Three Jewish women who previously challenged Kentucky's abortion bans, alleging they could affect in vitro fertilization.

Daniel Cameron

Kentucky's former attorney general, who issued an opinion that the state's abortion ban should not be used to prosecute the use of IVF.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“My intention is to restore what the status quo was prior to the [Dobbs] decision. Women have a fundamental right to reproductive freedom, to seek care from qualified professionals in a safe environment.”

— Rep. Daniel Grossberg, State Representative (k105.com)

“HB 476 proposes to rewrite Kentucky's Constitution by creating an unlimited right to abortion under the guise of 'reproductive freedom' but authentic freedom doesn't marginalize members of the human community and pave the way for their demise.”

— Richard Nelson, Executive Director, Commonwealth Policy Center (k105.com)

“HB 476 introduces constitutional ambiguity that invites litigation and judicial activism, placing ideology over human dignity. Our Constitution should affirm the value of every human life, not be used to legalize abortion under the guise of reproductive health while erasing protections for the unborn.”

— Addia Wuchner, Executive Director, Kentucky Right to Life (k105.com)

What’s next

The bill has been assigned to a legislative committee and is awaiting a hearing.

The takeaway

This proposed constitutional amendment in Kentucky reflects the ongoing national debate over abortion rights in the post-Roe v. Wade landscape. If passed, it could establish strong protections for reproductive freedom in the state, but faces opposition from anti-abortion rights groups who argue it goes too far.