LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky lawmakers concluded the bulk of their 2026 legislative session without advancing a controversial amendment that would have barred transgender people from teaching in the state, according to Queer Kentucky.

House Bill 759, which began as an uncontroversial measure regarding alternative teaching certifications, was pulled from consideration Wednesday night after a floor amendment was added seeking to block transgender individuals from obtaining and maintaining teaching certifications. That deadline was set to allow the Republican-controlled legislature sufficient time to override any potential vetoes from Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear during the final two days of session later this month.

Sen. Gex Williams, R-Verona, initially filed the anti-trans teacher language as Senate Bill 351 in early March. That bill would have required anyone reported as potentially being transgender to undergo medical examinations and provide results to state education officials to remain in the classroom. It would have also mandated health professionals use outdated psychological criteria to diagnose transgender individuals, potentially labeling them as mentally ill despite modern health standards.

When SB 351 failed to advance, Williams filed the identical language as a floor amendment to HB 759 in what legislative observers called a "piggybacking" maneuver — a tactic that violates Senate rules. Sources confirmed the Senate planned to enforce those rules by either withdrawing the amendment or ruling it out of order.

The failure to advance the amendment marks the first legislative session in several years without new anti-LGBTQ+ laws in Kentucky. Lawmakers filed nearly a dozen pieces of legislation this year targeting the LGBTQ+ community, including measures restricting healthcare access, blocking transgender restroom use in government buildings, and limiting drag performances. Almost all failed to advance during the legislative process.

While HB 759 could theoretically receive a vote during the session's final days, the amendment is expected to be withdrawn before any such vote occurs. Should the amendment somehow pass, Beshear is likely to veto it, and lawmakers would lack the votes to override him.