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Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear signed a bill at Louisville’s Kentucky Center for African American Heritage that partially bans no-knock warrants.
The passage of the law comes after Breonna Taylor was shot and killed by police officers in her home during a police raid.
The law forbids no-knock warrants if there is no “clear and convincing evidence.” The legislation also limits the time that raids are conducted. Officers are also required to take additional steps to obtain warrants. EMT must also be present when warrants are executed.
“This is a meaningful change,” Beshear said. “It will save lives, and it will move us in the right direction. I know more needs to be done. I know the fight is not over.”
Taylor’s mother, Tamika Palmer, cried as the Governor signed the bill.
“While it’s not the full legislation that they wanted in terms of a complete ban on no-knock warrants, they are satisfied that this is a start and a win in a deeply divided General Assembly,” Lonita Baker, the family’s attorney, said.
Taylor’s family wanted “Breonna’s Law” to be passed. The law would have banned no-knock warrants, punish officers for misusing body cameras, and required officers involved in deadly incidents to get drug and alcohol testing.
Officer Myles Cosgrove, who experts say delivered the deadly shot to Taylor, was fired. The officer that secured the warrant, Joshua Jaynes, was also fired from the police department.
No knock warrants are banned in Florida, Oregon, and Virginia.
