9 Ridiculous Kentucky Laws You Should Know
Written by Cooper & Friedman PLLC on November 19, 2021
Since the state of Kentucky was founded in 1792, the local legislature has passed many necessary and impactful laws. However, there have been just as many truly bizarre statutes that seem to have slipped through the cracks of time and circumstance! Keep reading to learn about 9 obscure and funny laws you never knew existed in the Bluegrass state.
1. One weird law states “No female shall appear in a bathing suit on any highway within this state unless she be escorted by at least two officers or unless she be armed with a club.” The law was later changed to add: “The provisions of this statute shall not apply to females weighing less than 90 pounds nor exceeding 200 pounds, nor shall it apply to female horses” (KRS 436.140). We can only imagine what circumstances once led to the creation of this legislature!
2. In Owensboro, women are required to receive their husband’s permission in order to buy a hat! (KRS 252.130) That’s right. If you live in Owensboro, make sure to spread the word. We don’t want this dangerous crime to go unenforced!
3. “Any person who displays, handles or uses any kind of reptile in connection with any religious service or gathering shall be fined not less than fifty dollars nor more than one hundred dollars (KRS 437.060).” Be warned: if your church handles snakes or reptiles of any kind, you can be fined between $50 and $100.
4. Citizens are required to bathe once a year. Did you know that the Kentucky legislature dictates that all citizens must shower or bathe at least once a year? Hopefully this law hasn’t had to be enforced!
5. In Frankfort, it is illegal to shoot off a policeman’s tie. And, we’re assuming, shoot off any part of him!
6. “No person shall sell, exchange, offer to sell or exchange, display or possess living baby chicks, ducklings, or other fowl or rabbits which have been dyed or colored; nor dye or color any baby chicks, ducklings or other fowl or rabbits; nor sell, exchange, offer to sell or exchange or to give away baby chicks, ducklings or other fowl or rabbits, under two months of age in any quantity less than six, except that any rabbit weighing three pounds or more may be sold at an age of six weeks. Any person who violates this section shall be fined not less than $100 nor more than $500” (KRS 436.600). What does this mean? You can’t use dye or artificial coloring on baby animals…unless you have more than 6 of them!
7. As of a 2001 ordinance, animals are not allowed to “molest cars” in Fort Thomas, Kentucky.
8. It is illegal to marry the same man 4 times in Kentucky. This law hopefully shouldn’t be a problem for most of us.
9. It’s illegal to catch certain fish with a bow and arrow in Kentucky. However, some types are allowed.
Why are these laws still in the books? Mainly, because no one really cares. Changing laws is a tedious process that requires sponsorship by state lawmakers and extensive formal effort. Therefore, most of these obscure laws have remained in place because no one is impacted enough by them.
The experienced attorneys at Cooper and Friedman have been serving the legal needs of seriously injured people across the state of Kentucky since 1991. If you or someone you love has been the victim of some type of accident, get the best legal help available. Contact Cooper and Friedman PLLC today to schedule your free case consultation with an attorney. Call 502-459- 7555 for details.