# Kentucky bill passes House to shield minors from eviction records  
**Published:** 2026-03-30T00:16:21.598Z  
**Source:** [Public News Service - Kentucky](https://app.publicnewsservice.org/story/ky-bill-removing-minors-from-eviction-filings-moves-forward/3fd8f4f3-b71d-4e1e-9e8e-4a86726ccaae)  
**AI-generated:** yes (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001)  
**Canonical:** https://feeds.lexingtonky.news/article/kentucky-bill-passes-house-to-shield-minors-from-eviction-records

FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Kentucky House of Representatives unanimously advanced legislation that would remove children's names from eviction filings and automatically clear dismissed eviction cases from tenants' records, according to [Public News Service](https://app.publicnewsservice.org/story/ky-bill-removing-minors-from-eviction-filings-moves-forward/3fd8f4f3-b71d-4e1e-9e8e-4a86726ccaae).

[House Bill 338](https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26rs/hb338.html) would require landlords to redact the names of minors from eviction documents and automatically expunge dismissed evictions from a person's record. The measure [passed the House floor 95 to zero](https://www.wuky.org/wuky-news/2026-03-30/ky-bill-removing-minors-from-eviction-filings-moves-forward), according to bill sponsor Rep. Susan Witten, R-Louisville.

[Lexington residents and advocates gathered at the courthouse square in February to support the legislation](https://www.wkyt.com/2026/02/27/housing-advocates-push-ky-bill-erase-eviction-records-dismissed-cases/), with [Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government 4th district councilmember Emma Curtis calling it a first step in addressing the local housing crisis](https://www.wkyt.com/2026/02/27/housing-advocates-push-ky-bill-erase-eviction-records-dismissed-cases/). [Rep. Anne Gay Donworth of Lexington's 76th district is a co-sponsor](https://www.wkyt.com/2026/02/27/housing-advocates-push-ky-bill-erase-eviction-records-dismissed-cases/).

The issue strikes at a persistent problem for Kentucky families. [Kentucky averages 134 evictions per day](https://www.wbko.com/2026/03/07/kentucky-bill-aims-shield-children-eviction-records/), and when eviction filings are placed on public record, they include everyone listed on the lease. [Most Kentucky renters facing eviction have at least one child present in the household](https://kyyouth.org/2026-blueprint-legislative-priority-house-bill-338/). Even when cases are dismissed, the records persist indefinitely, creating lasting barriers to future housing.

"If they are listed on an eviction notice or restriction through no fault of their own," said Sara Hemingway, executive director of the [Marilyn and William Young Foundation in Owensboro](https://www.forwardky.com/ky-bill-removing-minors-from-eviction-filings-moves-forward/), "then we're already setting them up as an adult to have almost like an X on their back, that they can't even get ahead."

The legislation addresses one facet of Kentucky's broader housing challenges. [Forty-four percent of Kentucky renters are cost-burdened, and many live with the threat of eviction](https://www.wuky.org/wuky-news/2026-03-30/ky-bill-removing-minors-from-eviction-filings-moves-forward). Witten emphasized that "overwhelming support" backed the measure, noting cooperation with stakeholders including the apartment association, circuit court clerks, and district court judges.

[Bloom Kentucky, an organization that advocates for policies that prevent and mitigate Adverse Child Experiences, has supported the bill, noting that evictions are stressful and scary for kids](https://www.forwardky.com/ky-bill-removing-minors-from-eviction-filings-moves-forward/). The bill now moves forward in the legislative process, offering Kentucky families a potential path to second chances in housing security.

## Sources

- [Public News Service - Kentucky](https://app.publicnewsservice.org/story/ky-bill-removing-minors-from-eviction-filings-moves-forward/3fd8f4f3-b71d-4e1e-9e8e-4a86726ccaae)
- [Kentucky House Bill 338 text and legislative history](https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26rs/hb338.html)
- [WUKY - Coverage of House passage and stakeholder support](https://www.wuky.org/wuky-news/2026-03-30/ky-bill-removing-minors-from-eviction-filings-moves-forward)
- [WKYT - Lexington courthouse rally and local support](https://www.wkyt.com/2026/02/27/housing-advocates-push-ky-bill-erase-eviction-records-dismissed-cases/)
- [WBKO - Eviction statistics and Witten's housing barriers focus](https://www.wbko.com/2026/03/07/kentucky-bill-aims-shield-children-eviction-records/)
- [Kentucky Youth Advocates - HB 338 legislative priority overview](https://kyyouth.org/2026-blueprint-legislative-priority-house-bill-338/)

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This article was generated by AI (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) based on source material from Public News Service - Kentucky, enriched with 3 web searches. The original source is available at https://app.publicnewsservice.org/story/ky-bill-removing-minors-from-eviction-filings-moves-forward/3fd8f4f3-b71d-4e1e-9e8e-4a86726ccaae.