Kentucky Bill Targets Violence Against Teachers

As concerns over classroom safety continue to rise, a new bill in Kentucky aims to send a clear message: violence against teachers will not be tolerated. Matt Nunn is set to introduce Senate Bill 101, legislation designed to strengthen protections for educators and reinforce accountability when students physically harm school staff.

The proposal comes amid growing conversations among educators about safety in schools and the challenges of recruiting and retaining teachers in environments where violence—whether threatened or carried out—has become an increasing concern.

“This bill is about the classroom. It’s common sense 101,” Nunn said. “We support and protect our teachers who walk into school every day with our kids’ best interest at heart.”

Clear Consequences for Violence Against School Staff

Senate Bill 101 outlines a series of firm, clearly defined consequences for students who physically injure school employees. Chief among them is a mandatory 12-month expulsion for any student found to have physically injured a teacher or other school staff member.

In addition to expulsion, the bill would require that all attempted assaults on school staff be formally reported. Under SB 101, failure to report such incidents could carry criminal penalties, a provision aimed at ensuring transparency and accountability across school systems.

The legislation also includes provisions related to criminal prosecution. Students aged 14 and older who are charged with felony third-degree assault could be prosecuted as adults, though the bill preserves discretion for local prosecutors to determine how cases are ultimately handled.

Supporters of the proposal say these measures are intended not to be punitive for punishment’s sake, but to restore a sense of order and safety in classrooms where teachers should be able to focus on instruction—not personal security.

Building on Prior Legislative Efforts

SB 101 does not exist in a vacuum. Nunn has framed the bill as a continuation of Kentucky’s recent efforts to protect public servants who face violence on the job.

In 2024, the General Assembly enacted bipartisan legislation sponsored by former law enforcement officer Danny Carroll, which made any assault against a health care worker in a health care setting a felony. That measure recognized the unique vulnerability of professionals who serve the public in high-stress environments.

Nunn argues that teachers deserve the same level of protection.

“This would be in addition to the student discipline legislation enacted during the 2025 Legislative Session,” he said, noting that SB 101 builds upon, rather than replaces, existing policies aimed at improving school safety.

Addressing a Growing Concern Among Educators

According to Nunn, conversations with teachers across his district and the state reveal a troubling trend: many educators feel their safety has become negotiable.

“I talk with a lot of educators, whether it’s in the community or during school visits, and there’s a growing sense that their safety is negotiable. It’s not,” Nunn said. “If we want to recruit and retain great teachers, they have to be able to do their jobs without fear.”

Teacher shortages have been a persistent issue nationwide, and lawmakers increasingly point to workplace safety as a factor in whether educators choose to stay in the profession. Advocates of SB 101 say that clearly defined consequences for violence could help reassure current teachers—and those considering entering the field—that Kentucky is serious about protecting them.

Balancing Discipline, Accountability, and Due Process

While the bill introduces firm penalties, it also preserves key elements of discretion within the justice system. The option to prosecute certain students as adults applies only in cases involving felony third-degree assault and remains subject to decisions by local prosecutors.

Supporters say this balance ensures that serious offenses are treated accordingly while still allowing for consideration of individual circumstances. The required reporting provisions are intended to ensure incidents are not minimized, overlooked, or quietly handled without proper documentation.

By mandating reporting and attaching penalties for failure to do so, SB 101 seeks to establish a consistent statewide standard for responding to violence against school staff.

What Comes Next in the Legislative Process

Senate Bill 101 is expected to be formally introduced during the 2026 Legislative Session of the Kentucky General Assembly. Once filed, the bill will move through the committee process, where lawmakers will have the opportunity to debate its provisions and consider amendments.

Educators, parents, and community members can track the bill’s progress through Legislature.ky.gov, which provides real-time updates on filings, committee assignments, and legislative action.

For Nunn, the objective remains straightforward: ensure that Kentucky’s classrooms are places of learning, not fear.

“Teachers and students alike deserve a learning environment free from violence,” he said.