As used in KRS 17.500 to 17.580:
(1) "Approved provider" means a mental health professional licensed or certified in
Kentucky whose scope of practice includes providing mental health treatment
services and who is approved by the Sex Offender Risk Assessment Advisory
Board, under administrative regulations promulgated by the board, to provide
comprehensive sex offender presentence evaluations or treatment to adults and
youthful offenders, as defined in KRS 600.020;
(2) "Cabinet" means the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet;
(3) (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection, "criminal offense
against a victim who is a minor" means any of the following offenses if the
victim is under the age of eighteen (18) at the time of the commission of the
offense:
1. Kidnapping, as set forth in KRS 509.040, except by a parent;
2. Unlawful imprisonment, as set forth in KRS 509.020, except by a
parent;
3. Sex crime;
4. Promoting a sexual performance of a minor, as set forth in KRS
531.320;
5. Human trafficking involving commercial sexual activity, as set forth in
KRS 529.100;
6. Promoting human trafficking involving commercial sexual activity, as
set forth in KRS 529.110;
7. Promoting prostitution, as set forth in KRS 529.040, when the defendant
advances or profits from the prostitution of a person under the age of
eighteen (18);
8. Use of a minor in a sexual performance, as set forth in KRS 531.310;
9. Sexual abuse, as set forth in KRS 510.120 and 510.130;
10. Unlawful transaction with a minor in the first degree, as set forth in KRS
530.064(1)(a);
11. Any offense involving a minor or depictions of a minor, as set forth in
KRS Chapter 531;
12. Any attempt to commit any of the offenses described in subparagraphs
1. to 11. of this paragraph;
13. Solicitation to commit any of the offenses described in subparagraphs 1.
to 11. of this paragraph; or
14. Any offense from another state or territory, any federal offense, or any
offense subject to a court martial of the United States Armed Forces,
which is similar to any of the offenses described in subparagraphs 1. to
13. of this paragraph.
(b) Conduct which is criminal only because of the age of the victim shall not be
considered a criminal offense against a victim who is a minor if the
perpetrator was under the age of eighteen (18) at the time of the commission
of the offense;
(4) "Law enforcement agency" means any lawfully organized investigative agency,
sheriff's office, police unit, or police force of federal, state, county, urban-county
government, charter county, city, consolidated local government, or a combination
of these, responsible for the detection of crime and the enforcement of the general
criminal federal or state laws;
(5) "Registrant" means:
(a) Any person eighteen (18) years of age or older at the time of the offense or
any youthful offender, as defined in KRS 600.020, who has committed:
1. A sex crime; or
2. A criminal offense against a victim who is a minor; or
(b) Any person required to register under KRS 17.510; or
(c) Any sexually violent predator; or
(d) Any person whose sexual offense has been diverted pursuant to KRS 533.250,
until the diversionary period is successfully completed;
(6) "Registrant information" means the name, including any lawful name change
together with the previous name, Social Security number, age, race, sex, date of
birth, height, weight, hair and eye color, fingerprints, palm prints, DNA sample, a
photograph, aliases used, residence, motor vehicle operator's license number as well
as any other government-issued identification card numbers, if any, a brief
description of the crime or crimes committed, and other information the cabinet
determines, by administrative regulation, may be useful in the identification of
registrants;
(7) "Residence" means any place where a person sleeps. For the purposes of this
statute, a registrant may have more than one (1) residence. A registrant is required
to register each residence address;
(8) "Sex crime" means:
(a) A felony offense defined in KRS Chapter 510, KRS 529.100 or 529.110
involving commercial sexual activity, 530.020, 530.064(1)(a), 531.125,
531.310, 531.320, 531.335, 531.340, 531.365, 531.366, 531.367, or 531.368.
(b) A felony attempt to commit a felony offense specified in paragraph (a) of this
subsection; or
(c) A federal felony offense, a felony offense subject to a court-martial of the
United States Armed Forces, or a felony offense from another state or a
territory where the felony offense is similar to a felony offense specified in
paragraph (a) of this subsection;
(9) "Sexual offender" means any person convicted of, pleading guilty to, or entering an
Alford plea to a sex crime as defined in this section, as of the date the verdict is
entered by the court;
(10) "Sexually violent predator" means any person who has been subjected to
involuntary civil commitment as a sexually violent predator, or a similar
designation, under a state, territory, or federal statutory scheme;
(11) "The board" means the Sex Offender Risk Assessment Advisory Board created
under KRS 17.554;
(12) "Victim" has the same meaning as in KRS 421.500;
(13) "DNA sample" or "deoxyribonucleic acid sample" means a blood or swab specimen
from a person, as prescribed by administrative regulation, that is required to provide
a DNA sample pursuant to KRS 17.170 or 17.510, that shall be submitted to the
Department of Kentucky State Police forensic laboratory for law enforcement
identification purposes and inclusion in law enforcement identification databases;
and
(14) "Authorized personnel" means an agent of state government who is properly trained
in DNA sample collection pursuant to administrative regulation.
Effective: June 27, 2025
History: Amended 2025 Ky. Acts ch. 9, sec. 3, effective June 27, 2025. -- Amended
2024 Ky. Acts ch. 15, sec. 1, effective July 15, 2024. -- Amended 2020 Ky. Acts ch.
75, sec. 1, effective July 15, 2020. -- Amended 2018 Ky. Acts ch. 42, sec. 2,
effective July 14, 2018; and ch. 121, sec. 1, effective July 14, 2018. -- Amended
2017 Ky. Acts ch. 171, sec. 1, effective June 29, 2017. -- Amended 2014 Ky. Acts
ch. 94, sec. 4, effective July 15, 2014. -- Repealed and reenacted 2009 Ky. Acts ch.
105, sec. 4, effective March 27, 2009. -- Amended 2008 Ky. Acts ch. 158, sec. 12,
effective July 1, 2008. -- Amended 2007 Ky. Acts ch. 19, sec. 8, effective June 26,
2007; ch.29, sec. 1, effective June 26, 2007; and ch. 85, sec. 99, effective June 26,
2007. -- Amended 2006 Ky. Acts ch. 182, sec. 5, effective July 12, 2006. --
Amended 2000 Ky. Acts ch. 401, sec. 15, effective April 11, 2000. -- Created 1994
Ky. Acts ch. 392, sec. 1, effective July 15, 1994.
Legislative Research Commission Note (6/29/2017). Under the authority of KRS
7.136(1)(h), references to "subparagraphs 1. to 10. of this paragraph" in subsection
(3)(a) of this statute have been changed to "subparagraphs 1. to 11. of this paragraph"
by the Reviser of Statutes following the enactment of 2017 Ky. Acts ch. 171, sec. 1,
which inserted a new subparagraph into KRS 17.500(3)(a) and renumbered the
subsequent subparagraphs, but overlooked the internal references in the existing
language.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in
70
cases (
23 in the last 5 years), 1999–2026 · leading case:
Hyatt v. Commonwealth, 72 S.W.3d 566 (Ky. 2002).
Hyatt v. Commonwealth, 72 S.W.3d 566 (Ky. 2002).
· cites it 10× “These cases arise out of three different Court of Appeals’ opinions rendered by three different panels concerning the constitutionality of the Sexual Offender Registration Act, KRS 17.500 et seq. commonly known as “Megan’s Law.”
Commonwealth v. Baker, 295 S.W.3d 437 (Ky. 2009).
· cites it 6× “495, read as follows: No registrant, as defined in KRS 17.500, who is placed on probation, parole, or other form of supervised release, shall reside within one thousand (1,000) feet of a high school, middle school, elementary school, preschool, or licensed day care facility.”
Kennedy v. Louisiana, 554 U.S. 407 (2008).
· cites it 2× “§§ 22-4901 to 22-4910 (1995); Ky.Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 17.500 to 17.540 (West Supp.”
Moffitt v. Commonwealth, 360 S.W.3d 247 (Ky. Ct. App. 2012).
· cites it 11× “500(3)(a), entitled “Definitions for KRS 17.500 to 17.580,” which defines a “criminal offense against a victim who is a minor” as: 1.”
Murphy v. Commonwealth, 500 S.W.3d 827 (Ky. 2016).
· cites it 3× “One of the provisions that he cites is the •definition, of "registrant” under KRS 17.500(5), which he claims "include[s] only those who were convicted of a qualifying offense.”
Dever v. Commonwealth, 300 S.W.3d 198 (Ky. Ct. App. 2009).
· cites it 12× “] Finally, the General Assembly defined "criminal offense against a victim who is a minor" in KRS 17.500(2), [3] which included sex crimes as an offense under the definition.”
Peterson v. Shake, 120 S.W.3d 707 (Ky. 2003).
· cites it 4× “Before Appellant was released from prison, he was assessed pursuant to the 1998 version of the Sex Offender Registration Act, KRS 17.500 et seq., and was determined to be a moderate risk sex offender.”
Tobar v. Commonwealth, 284 S.W.3d 133 (Ky. 2009).
· cites it 8× “RELEVANT FACTS Having been convicted of a sexual offense in the state of Ohio, Appellant duly registered as a sex offender under Kentucky's Sexual Offender Registration Act, KRS 17.500, et seq., when he moved to his mother's house in Fayette County.”
Ladriere v. Commonwealth, 329 S.W.3d 278 (Ky. 2010).
· cites it 6× “However, “sexual offender” as used in KRS Chapter 197 is a person who has committed a “sex crime” as defined by KRS 17.500. KRS 197.410(1). Given that Ladriere did not commit an offense within the purview of the statute’s definition of “sex crime,” it stands to reason that he is…”
United States v. Kebodeaux, 133 S. Ct. 2496 (2013).
· cites it 2× “§§22–4901 to 22–4910 (1995); Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17.500 to 17.540 (Lexis 2003 and Supp.”
State v. Smith, 2010 WI 16 (Wis. 2010).
· cites it 2× “2009) (kidnapping and criminal restraint); Kentucky: Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 17.500 (3)(a)l-2, 17.”
Dickerson v. Commonwealth, 174 S.W.3d 451 (Ky. 2005).
· cites it 2× “Section 15(4) (KRS 17.500(4)) defines a "registrant" as a person eighteen years of age or older who has committed a sex crime, or a criminal offense against a victim who is a minor; or any person required to register under KRS 17.”
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 17.500(11) — 1 case
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 17.500(12) — 1 case
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 17.500(2) — 1 case
Dever v. Commonwealth, 300 S.W.3d 198 (Ky. Ct. App. 2009).
“] Finally, the General Assembly defined "criminal offense against a victim who is a minor" in KRS 17.500(2), [3] which included sex crimes as an offense under the definition.”
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 17.500(2)(b) — 1 case
Dever v. Commonwealth, 300 S.W.3d 198 (Ky. Ct. App. 2009).
“] Finally, the General Assembly defined "criminal offense against a victim who is a minor" in KRS 17.500(2), [3] which included sex crimes as an offense under the definition.”
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 17.500(3) — 1 case
Dever v. Commonwealth, 300 S.W.3d 198 (Ky. Ct. App. 2009).
“] Finally, the General Assembly defined "criminal offense against a victim who is a minor" in KRS 17.500(2), [3] which included sex crimes as an offense under the definition.”
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 17.500(3)(a) — 10 cases
State v. Smith, 2010 WI 16 (Wis. 2010).
“2009) (kidnapping and criminal restraint); Kentucky: Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 17.500 (3)(a)l-2, 17.”
Dever v. Commonwealth, 300 S.W.3d 198 (Ky. Ct. App. 2009).
“] Finally, the General Assembly defined "criminal offense against a victim who is a minor" in KRS 17.500(2), [3] which included sex crimes as an offense under the definition.”
Moffitt v. Commonwealth, 360 S.W.3d 247 (Ky. Ct. App. 2012).
“500(3)(a), entitled “Definitions for KRS 17.500 to 17.580,” which defines a “criminal offense against a victim who is a minor” as: 1.”
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 17.500(3)(a)(10) — 2 cases
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 17.500(3)(a)(11) — 5 cases
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 17.500(3)(a)(12) — 1 case
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 17.500(3)(a)(i) — 1 case
Ladriere v. Commonwealth, 329 S.W.3d 278 (Ky. 2010).
“However, “sexual offender” as used in KRS Chapter 197 is a person who has committed a “sex crime” as defined by KRS 17.500. KRS 197.410(1). Given that Ladriere did not commit an offense within the purview of the statute’s definition of “sex crime,” it stands to reason that he is…”
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 17.500(3)(b) — 1 case
Dever v. Commonwealth, 300 S.W.3d 198 (Ky. Ct. App. 2009).
“] Finally, the General Assembly defined "criminal offense against a victim who is a minor" in KRS 17.500(2), [3] which included sex crimes as an offense under the definition.”
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 17.500(4) — 4 cases
Dickerson v. Commonwealth, 174 S.W.3d 451 (Ky. 2005).
“Section 15(4) (KRS 17.500(4)) defines a "registrant" as a person eighteen years of age or older who has committed a sex crime, or a criminal offense against a victim who is a minor; or any person required to register under KRS 17.”
Peterson v. Shake, 120 S.W.3d 707 (Ky. 2003).
“Before Appellant was released from prison, he was assessed pursuant to the 1998 version of the Sex Offender Registration Act, KRS 17.500 et seq., and was determined to be a moderate risk sex offender.”
Moffitt v. Commonwealth, 360 S.W.3d 247 (Ky. Ct. App. 2012).
“500(3)(a), entitled “Definitions for KRS 17.500 to 17.580,” which defines a “criminal offense against a victim who is a minor” as: 1.”
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 17.500(5) — 7 cases
Moffitt v. Commonwealth, 360 S.W.3d 247 (Ky. Ct. App. 2012).
“500(3)(a), entitled “Definitions for KRS 17.500 to 17.580,” which defines a “criminal offense against a victim who is a minor” as: 1.”
Murphy v. Commonwealth, 500 S.W.3d 827 (Ky. 2016).
“One of the provisions that he cites is the •definition, of "registrant” under KRS 17.500(5), which he claims "include[s] only those who were convicted of a qualifying offense.”
Ladriere v. Commonwealth, 329 S.W.3d 278 (Ky. 2010).
“However, “sexual offender” as used in KRS Chapter 197 is a person who has committed a “sex crime” as defined by KRS 17.500. KRS 197.410(1). Given that Ladriere did not commit an offense within the purview of the statute’s definition of “sex crime,” it stands to reason that he is…”
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 17.500(5)(a) — 3 cases
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 17.500(5)(a)(2) — 2 cases
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 17.500(5)(b) — 2 cases
Murphy v. Commonwealth, 500 S.W.3d 827 (Ky. 2016).
“One of the provisions that he cites is the •definition, of "registrant” under KRS 17.500(5), which he claims "include[s] only those who were convicted of a qualifying offense.”
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 17.500(6) — 1 case
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 17.500(7) — 2 cases
Tobar v. Commonwealth, 284 S.W.3d 133 (Ky. 2009).
“RELEVANT FACTS Having been convicted of a sexual offense in the state of Ohio, Appellant duly registered as a sex offender under Kentucky's Sexual Offender Registration Act, KRS 17.500, et seq., when he moved to his mother's house in Fayette County.”
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 17.500(8) — 8 cases
Ladriere v. Commonwealth, 329 S.W.3d 278 (Ky. 2010).
“However, “sexual offender” as used in KRS Chapter 197 is a person who has committed a “sex crime” as defined by KRS 17.500. KRS 197.410(1). Given that Ladriere did not commit an offense within the purview of the statute’s definition of “sex crime,” it stands to reason that he is…”
Moffitt v. Commonwealth, 360 S.W.3d 247 (Ky. Ct. App. 2012).
“500(3)(a), entitled “Definitions for KRS 17.500 to 17.580,” which defines a “criminal offense against a victim who is a minor” as: 1.”
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 17.500(8)(a) — 6 cases
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 17.500(8)(c) — 2 cases
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 17.500(9) — 4 cases
Murphy v. Commonwealth, 500 S.W.3d 827 (Ky. 2016).
“One of the provisions that he cites is the •definition, of "registrant” under KRS 17.500(5), which he claims "include[s] only those who were convicted of a qualifying offense.”
Moffitt v. Commonwealth, 360 S.W.3d 247 (Ky. Ct. App. 2012).
“500(3)(a), entitled “Definitions for KRS 17.500 to 17.580,” which defines a “criminal offense against a victim who is a minor” as: 1.”
Annotations are extracted automatically from the opinions in the
Syfert caselaw corpus and ranked by authority, recency, and
treatment. Dots show Syfertize treatment of the citing case itself.