Kentucky Revised Statutes

Ky. Rev. Stat. § 158.195 (2026)

Display of national motto in public elementary and secondary schools --

✓ current as of May 2026
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Reading and posting in public schools of texts and documents on American history and heritage -- Posting of restrictions on child labor in public school buildings that contain instructional space for students in grades six through twelve.

(1) (a) Local boards shall require each public elementary and secondary school to display the national motto of the United States, "In God We Trust," in a prominent location in the school.

(b) The display required in paragraph (a) of this subsection may take the form of but is not limited to a mounted plaque or student artwork.

(2) As used in this section, "prominent location" means a school entryway, cafeteria, or common area where students are likely to see an item on display.

(3) Local boards may allow any teacher or administrator in a public school district of the Commonwealth to read or post in a public school building, classroom, or event any excerpts or portions of: the national motto; the national anthem; the pledge of allegiance; the preamble to the Kentucky Constitution; the Declaration of Independence; the Mayflower Compact; the writings, speeches, documents, and proclamations of the founding fathers and presidents of the United States; United States Supreme Court decisions; and acts of the United States Congress including the published text of the Congressional Record. There shall be no content-based censorship of American history or heritage in the Commonwealth based on religious references in these writings, documents, and records.

(4) Beginning in the 2025-2026 school year, local boards shall require each public school building that contains instructional space for students in grades six (6) through twelve (12) to conspicuously display in a prominent location, in both English and Spanish, a printed abstract of KRS 339.210 to 339.450, a list of the limited or prohibited occupations for minors, and a notice stating the working hours per day for each day of the week permissible for minors to work. The same information or display shall also be posted on a district's or school's website. Effective: June 27, 2025 History: Amended 2025 Ky. Acts ch. 73, sec. 2, effective June 27, 2025. -- Amended 2019 Ky. Acts ch. 82, sec. 1, effective June 27, 2019. -- Created 1992 Ky. Acts ch. 170, sec. 4, effective July 14, 1992.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 1 case, 2001–2001 · leading case: Am. Civil Liberties Union v. McCreary Cnty., 145 F. Supp. 2d 845 (E.D. Ky. 2001).
Am. Civil Liberties Union v. McCreary Cnty., 145 F. Supp. 2d 845 (E.D. Ky. 2001). “§ 158.195 (allowing posting of documents), the Ten Commandments document was a page from the Congressional Record declaring 1983 the year of the Bible (which contains a copy of the Ten Commandments), and that the explanation posted was in the form of a resolution of the Harlan…”
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