FRANKFORT, Ky., Feb. 25, 2021 – As Kentucky begins to see its COVID-19 cases decline and its rate of vaccinations increase, the Supreme Court has amended two orders to allow courts to begin easing restrictions on in-person access. Administrative Order 2021-06 replaces Administrative Order 2021-01 in its entirety and Administrative Order 2021-07 replaces Administrative Order 2021-02 in its entirety. Both orders are effective April 1, 2021.
Here is a brief overview of the amendments:
Administrative Order 2021-06: Health and Safety Requirements
- Includes jurors in the list of individuals permitted into a court facility.
- Allows judges to schedule individual cases for in-person hearings effective May 1, 2021.
- Extends the date for mail-in renewal driver’s licenses to June 30, 2021, per Transportation Cabinet Order 112400.
- Ends 50/50 staffing and Special Leave effective May 1, 2021.
- Authorizes teleworking to continue.
- Extends the date for Kentucky Court of Justice committees to meet in-person to May 1, 2021.
Administrative Order 2021-07: Court Proceedings
- Extends the date to begin jury trials to May 1, 2021.
- Allows grand juries to proceed on April 1, 2021.
- Clarifies the extension of the 60-day rule under RCr 5.22(3).
- Eliminates reference to the CARES Act and removes the requirement for the AOC 1027 Form in eviction filings.
- Refers to the eviction moratorium in the CDC Order and the Healthy at Home rental assistance program.
- Extends the date to begin judicial sales to May 1, 2021.
- Extends the date to begin show cause hearings for nonpayment to July 1, 2021.
