Summer is here! As Kentuckians, we can certainly count on experiencing hot and humid weather and can hopefully count on enjoying cool treats and days playing in the sprinkler.

Another certainty we can count on during the Kentucky summer is the implementation of bills that were signed into law during the General Assembly. The Kentucky Constitution states that new laws go into effect 90 days after the legislative session adjourns. The 2017 regular session adjourned on March 30th, which means that most new laws went into effect on June 29, 2017.

This year’s Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children policy wins—SB 236, SB 195, SB 120, and HB 180—were all signed into law earlier this year, but this official implementation is another opportunity to cheer once more for these “cool” wins for kids. (Please note that some of the components of SB 236 have a delayed implementation.)

Need a refresher on all the ways in which kids will be safer and on track for success because of the persistence of advocates like you? SB 236, sponsored by Senator Julie Raque Adams, will keep kids safer from abuse by closing gaps in background checks for public schools, youth camps, and in-home babysitters. SB 195, sponsored by Senator Whitney Westerfield, will let kids who get back on track more easily expunge their records and not be held back from a brighter future. SB 120, also sponsored by Senator Westerfield, would help parents leaving incarceration more easily get back to work and start supporting their families. And HB 180, sponsored by Representative Addia Wuchner, will allow close family friends to serve as kinship caregivers.

Kentucky kids count on all of us, and many advocates and legislators are spending their summers looking ahead to the 2018 legislative session and the 2018 state budget. Stay tuned to our blog and social media for more information about 2018 policy priorities for kids and how you will be able to take action on behalf of Kentucky kids.