‘Common Sense’ in the Classroom: New Kentucky Bill Aims to Protect Teachers from Student Assaults

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FRANKFORT, Ky. (SPA) — As the 2026 legislative session gains momentum, State Senator Matt Nunn (R-Sadieville) has introduced Senate Bill 101, a legislative package he calls a "common-sense approach" to addressing the rising tide of classroom violence. Formally introduced on January 9, 2026, the bill seeks to mandate stricter reporting and harsher penalties for students who assault school personnel.

Strict New Penalties and Reporting Requirements

Senate Bill 101 proposes significant changes to how Kentucky school districts handle physical aggression against staff. Key provisions of the legislation include:

Mandatory Expulsions: The bill would add student assaults on staff to the list of offenses requiring a mandatory expulsion of at least 12 months. This would place physical assault on the same level as bringing a weapon to school or making terrorist threats.

Mandatory Incident Reporting: Schools would be required to report all attempted and completed assaults on staff to law enforcement. Educational institutions that fail to report these incidents could face criminal penalties.

Trial as Adults: For students aged 14 and older charged with a felony of third-degree assault, the bill would lower the threshold for them to be tried as adults. It also removes the requirement that a student have a prior offense to be eligible for an adult trial.

A Growing Crisis in School Safety

The push for SB 101 comes amidst alarming data regarding the safety of Kentucky's educators. Senator Nunn noted that safety concerns have become a primary driver of the state's teacher shortage.

A study cited during the bill’s introduction, conducted by the National Education Association (NEA) and the American Psychological Association (APA), revealed that nearly half of surveyed educators have considered leaving the profession due to violence in the workplace. Locally, the Kentucky Education Association (KEA) released a 2025 report documenting approximately 25,000 assaults on school staff since the 2021 school year. These incidents range from biting in elementary settings to punching in high schools.

“We want to feel safe when we go to work every day; teachers deserve that same privilege.” Sen. Nunn stated during a recent press briefing.

Mixed Reactions from Educators

While the KEA largely supports the move toward mandatory reporting, some leaders have expressed concern over the severity of the expulsion requirements.

Jessica Hiler, Vice President of the KEA, emphasized that while safety is a priority, long-term expulsions can have detrimental effects on a child’s education. “We do not want them to miss instruction; however, there do need to be consequences for assault on staff, so we need to find a happy medium there,” Hiler remarked. She noted that schools often hesitate to report assaults for fear of damaging their public image, making the bill’s reporting mandates a critical step toward obtaining accurate safety data.

Legislative Path Forward

Senate Bill 101 builds on the framework of legislation passed in 2024, which established similar protections for healthcare workers following assaults by patients. As of mid-January 2026, the bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Committees. If passed, it would represent one of the most significant shifts in Kentucky's student discipline and school safety policy in over a decade.

Kentucky bill on violent students. This video provides further context on Kentucky's legislative efforts to address classroom violence and the legal implications for students.