Exploring Some of the Strangest Laws in the State of Kentucky

Kentucky is famous for its history, bourbon, and horse racing. The Bluegrass State, though, has some of the weirdest laws you’d never know exist in today’s society. These bizarre laws have existed for several decades, some since the early 1900s, and remain part of the state of Kentucky’s law books today.

What Makes Kentucky Laws So Bizarre?

Each state in the U.S. has a collection of weirdest laws. Kentucky is unique in that some of its laws appear bizarre or amusing by current standards. These types of laws tend to be indicative of the social mores or practical realities of the era in which they were created. Many of these have not been repealed over time, which results in their remaining presence in the legal code.

Where Are These Laws Located?

Kentucky’s codes of laws have a combination of common-sense rules and bizarre regulations. For instance, there are regulations regarding animals, personal behavior, and the sale of goods. These are legally codified in the Kentucky Revised Statutes, which is a cumulative compilation of all state legislation.

Find out more about the state’s weirdest laws and why they remain active. The following list points out the oddities of Kentucky’s legal landscape and speaks to the state’s distinctive cultural and historical heritage.

What Are Some Examples of the Weirdest Laws in Kentucky?

Kentucky has some quirky and unusual laws that might make you scratch your head. Here are a few notable examples:

1. No Throwing Flowers at Public Speakers: You can applaud or cheer, but tossing flowers at a speaker is illegal in Kentucky.
2. Hats Require Permission: In Owensboro, women historically needed their husbands’ approval before purchasing a hat.
3. No Serpent Handling in Church: Using snakes, lizards, crocodiles, or turtles in religious services could result in a $100 fine (KRS 437.060).
4. Hunting from a Vehicle Is Illegal: You must stop your car, helicopter, scooter, or semi before hunting, except for whales.
5. Sunday Work Restrictions: Previously, working on a Sunday could result in a $50 fine, though clergy and certain businesses were exempt.
6. Bikini-Wearing Women Need Police Protection: Women between 90 and 199 pounds had to be accompanied by law enforcement when walking on highways (KRS 436.140, repealed).
7. No Ice Cream Cones in Pockets: Historically, to prevent horse theft, carrying an ice cream cone in a pocket remains illegal.
8. Mandatory Showers: Residents must shower at least once per year to meet state hygiene requirements.
9. Marriage Limit: A woman cannot legally marry the same man more than three times.
10. Sober by Standing: One is considered sober as long as they can stand, regardless of alcohol consumption.

Are These Laws Still Enforced Today?

These laws are not currently enforced by most. They continue to exist on the books because of legislative neglect or since they were never formally repealed. But they will occasionally be cited in odd legal cases or as an example of antiquated legislation when discussing the subject in law school.

Why Do These Laws Still Exist?

Much of Kentucky’s bizarre legislation exists because of the convoluted legislative process. It takes a formal process and legislative approval to repeal a law, something that can be cumbersome and not always a priority. Mostly, these laws are so outdated that no one even considers challenging or repealing them.

According to a report by the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), many states, not just Kentucky, have outdated laws that serve no practical purpose today but have not been officially removed from the statutes.

What Should Residents Know About These Laws?

While these bizarre laws probably do not influence everyday life, they provide a fascinating look at the history of law and culture in Kentucky. They are an indication of how society’s norms and practicalities have changed over time. 

Are There Efforts to Modernize State Laws?

Legislators in some states, such as Kentucky, have sometimes proposed bills to rescind archaic legislation. The process takes a long time, and not every proposed repeal goes through the legislative body. The Kentucky Legislative Research Commission does its best to maintain updated statutes, but most absurd legislations go unnoticed until one person brings it to attention.

Key Takeaways

• Kentucky boasts some of the quirkiest legislation still active today.
• Such laws tend to have their origins in old social mores or pragmatic issues of the past.
• Most are not actively enforced but continue on the books.
• Their abolition involves a formal legislative process.
• The National Conference of State Legislatures sheds light on old laws throughout the U.S.