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House Bill 67 / Senate Bill 181

Re: HB 67 Amends and Clarifies SB 181 - Law Affecting Student Communication

August 21, 2026 

Dear OCS Families,

We want to make you aware of HB 67 which clarifies and refines KRS 160.145 (Senate Bill 181) rules. HB 67 was signed into law in April 2026. The law governs all traceable communication between students and teachers, school employees, and school volunteers.

What You Need to Know:

All electronic communication with students must:

  • Go through the student’s OCS email account, or
  • Be sent to the parent/guardian, who may then share it with the student

This requirement applies to all communication, whether it is school-related or not (e.g., church activities, babysitting arrangements, non-school-affiliated sports teams, etc.) unless the teacher discloses that job; then they are exempt for the limited purpose of said job (see below).

What’s Allowed:

  • Posting announcements and comments on public social media pages are permitted. 
  • Direct communication with parents/guardians via phone, text, email, or app remains fully allowed.
  • Group communication apps with students such as Band, Remind Me, Game Changer, TeamSnap, Sports Engine, etc. are allowed IF/WHEN SEVERAL faculty members or coaches are included.
  • Communication with family members-including parent, legal guardian, brother, sister, son, daughter, aunt, uncle, cousin, nephew, niece, or grandparent related to the student by consanguinity, affinity, or adoption; or an adult that resides in the same household as the student.
  • Definition of a parent includes a person acting as a parent or guardian, or individual or agency responsible for the student (e.g., stepparent,  foster parent, foreign exchange host).

Exceptions:

  • Emergency situations - HB 67 allows a teacher to respond to a student outside of the traceable communication system in an emergency. They can help the student and then disclose that communication afterward without penalty.
  • Field trips - Teachers can contact students as part of a field trip or work-based learning experience.
  • Translation services - Translations services are exempt under HB 67.
  • Teachers who encounter students through other jobs outside the school system such as youth pastor, delivery driver, or photographer, may disclose that job and be exempt from the traceable system for those purposes.

Communications Not Permitted:

  • Direct text messages to students
  • Replies to student comments on social media (Facebook, Instagram, X, etc.)
  • Use of messenger apps with students (e.g., Facebook Messenger, Instagram DMs, SnapChat)

The bill does allow a parent or legal guardian to submit written consent for a designated employee or volunteer to communicate with his/her student outside of the traceable communication system. The district has a waiver system in place, and additional updates will be shared as solutions are finalized.

We appreciate your understanding and partnership as we work to implement a compliant, safe communication process.

Re: Traceable Communication Waivers

August 21, 2026

Dear OCS Families,

We would like to remind you about HB 67 and SB 181 and the impact on how school staff communicate with families. The law covers all two-way communication involving students and teachers, school employees and volunteers, and requires that these interactions be traceable.

Waiver Option

We understand that some families may prefer to communicate using other methods. The law allows for flexibility through a parent waiver, which gives you the option to allow communication via other platforms, such as direct text messages. You can find the link to this waiver here: https://www.oldham.kyschools.us/sb-181

Please note that if you previously filled out a waiver on paper, you will need to re-submit using the electronic form above. 

Thank you for your understanding as we work to comply with these regulatory requirements.