No, cannibalism is not explicitly legal in Kentucky. Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS) § 507.020 criminalizes assault, bodily injury, and endangerment, which would encompass non-consensual or harmful acts. Consensual cannibalism remains legally untested but likely violates public health and morality statutes. Local health departments and the Kentucky Office of the Attorney General monitor extreme cases under existing criminal codes.
Key Regulations for Cannibalism in Kentucky
- KRS § 507.020 (Assault in the First Degree): Prohibits causing serious physical injury, which could include acts resulting in consumption of human flesh, regardless of consent. Penalties range from 10 to 20 years imprisonment.
- KRS § 525.070 (Abuse of a Corpse): Explicitly criminalizes dismemberment, mutilation, or desecration of human remains, directly addressing post-mortem cannibalistic acts. Violations are Class D felonies, punishable by 1–5 years.
- KRS § 214.155 (Public Health Regulations): Empowers the Kentucky Department for Public Health to investigate acts posing public health risks, including those involving bodily fluids or tissue consumption. Non-compliance may trigger quarantine or criminal referrals.
Local jurisdictions, such as Louisville Metro and Lexington-Fayette, enforce these statutes through county attorneys, with recent 2026 guidance emphasizing strict interpretation of “bodily harm” to include extreme dietary practices. The Kentucky Supreme Court has not ruled on consensual cannibalism, leaving ambiguity but no legal safe harbor.