Kentucky State Representative Backtracks on Controversial Bill to Decriminalize Sex Between First Cousins
Kentucky state Rep. Nick Wilson has reversed course after facing backlash for a bill he filed that would have removed first cousins from the list of familial relationships prohibited by the state's incest laws.
Following public outcry, Wilson announced his intention to refile the legislation on Wednesday, this time with the original list intact. The revised proposal would expand the state's existing laws to include "sexual contact," encompassing deviant acts that may not fall under the definition of intercourse.
Wilson, then a 27-year-old public defender, first shot to prominence when he won the 37th season of the CBS reality TV show Survivor in 2018, called Survivor: David vs. Goliath, before returning for the 40th season, featuring the winners from previous shows in 2020. In November 2022, Wilson ran unopposed for the 82nd District of the Kentucky House after Republican incumbent Regina Huff retired.
Originally filed as House Bill 269 on Tuesday, the initial version of the bill omitted "first cousin" from the list of individuals considered family members. This list includes parents, siblings, grandparents, great-grandparents, grandchildren, uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces, ancestors, and descendants.
In a social media post, Wilson attributed the omission of "first cousins" to an "inadvertent change" during the drafting process and assured the public that the bill would be refiled with the necessary correction.
Wilson expressed his confidence in the legislative process, stating, "The fact that I was able to file a bill, catch the mistake, withdraw the bill, and refile within a 24-hour period shows we have a good system."
Having served in the House since last year, Wilson, a 33-year-old from Whitley County, gained recognition for winning the "Survivor: David vs. Goliath" season in 2018 after graduating from the University of Kentucky.
Apart from House Bill 269, Wilson is also a primary sponsor of three other bills currently filed.
House Bill 182 aims to broaden the definition of a "violent offender.”
House Bill 270 seeks to outlaw traveling to Kentucky for the purpose of rape or sodomy.
House Bill 271 aims to allow written reports concerning child dependency, neglect, or abuse.
Despite the initial controversy surrounding HB 269, Wilson maintains that the bill addresses a significant issue of familial and cyclical abuse that affects generations of Kentuckians. He believes it deserves a fair hearing despite its rocky start.
Acknowledging his mistake, Wilson expressed his hope that the corrected version of the bill would not be hindered by the initial misstep. He emphasized the merits of the legislation and his desire for it to receive a second chance.