Ky. Rev. Stat. ch. 344 § 344.665
Institution of civil actions by commission or Attorney General -- Powers of
Operative Text
344.665 Institution of civil actions by commission or Attorney General -- Powers of court. (1) The commission or the Attorney General may file a civil action in Circuit Court for appropriate relief if the commission or Attorney General has probable cause to believe that: (a) Any person or group of persons is engaged in a pattern or practice of resistance to the full enjoyment of any housing right granted by this chapter; or (b) Any group of persons has been denied any housing right granted by this chapter and the denial raises an issue of general public importance; or (c) Any state or local zoning or land use law is a discriminatory housing practice. The action shall be brought within eighteen (18) months of the occurrence or termination of the alleged discriminatory practice; or (d) A conciliation agreement has been breached. The action shall be brought within ninety (90) days of the commission or Attorney General receiving notice of the breach. (2) In an action under this section, the court: (a) May award preventive relief, including a permanent or temporary injunction, restraining order, or other order against the person responsible for a violation to assure the full enjoyment of the rights granted by this chapter; (b) May award other appropriate relief, including compensatory and punitive damages; (c) May award a reasonable attorney's fee and costs to the prevailing party to the same extent allowed in KRS 344.660. The state shall not be liable in any event for fees and costs; and (d) May, to vindicate the public interest, assess a civil penalty against the respondent in an amount that does not exceed: 1. Fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) for a first violation; and 2. One hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) for a second or subsequent violation. (e) A person may intervene in an action under this section if the person is: 1. An aggrieved person to the discriminatory housing practice; or 2. A party to a conciliation agreement concerning the discriminatory housing practice.
Kentucky Revised Statute § 344.665 authorizes the Kentucky Human Rights Commission or the state Attorney General to file civil lawsuits in Circuit Court when there is probable cause to believe that housing discrimination rights under the chapter are being systematically violated, that a broad public-interest denial of housing rights has occurred, that a zoning or land use law is discriminatory, or that a conciliation agreement has been breached. Lawsuits must generally be filed within 18 months of the discriminatory practice, or within 90 days of learning of a conciliation breach. Courts handling these cases can issue injunctions, award compensatory and punitive damages, grant attorney's fees and costs, and impose civil penalties up to $50,000 for a first violation and up to $100,000 for subsequent violations.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Ky. Rev. Stat. § 344.665, property owners and managers should be aware that both the Kentucky Human Rights Commission and the Attorney General have independent authority to bring civil actions in Circuit Court—not just individual complainants. Operators who maintain consistent, documented fair-housing policies and who honor any conciliation agreements they enter into are generally better positioned to demonstrate compliance if such an action is initiated. Because courts may impose civil penalties up to $100,000 for repeat violations, as well as injunctive relief and punitive damages, maintaining ongoing fair-housing training and record-keeping practices is a recognized part of responsible property management in Kentucky.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Ky. Rev. Stat. § 344.665 gives tenants and housing applicants an additional layer of protection beyond individual complaints: the Kentucky Human Rights Commission and the Attorney General can independently sue on behalf of the public when a pattern of discrimination or a broad public-interest denial of housing rights is identified. If you believe you have experienced discriminatory housing treatment, contacting the Kentucky Human Rights Commission is one avenue to explore, as the agency may determine that your situation is part of a broader pattern warranting a civil action. Individuals who qualify as aggrieved persons under this provision also have the right to intervene in any lawsuit filed under § 344.665, and consulting a tenant-rights organization can help you understand what that process generally involves.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 19, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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