Blueprint Legislative Priority Support Families' Access to Clean Diapers Senate Bill 258 would exempt diapers from state sales tax. Review the Blueprint for Kentucky's Children policy priority fact sheet. SB 258 is a Bloom Kentucky policy priority. Status SB 258 is sponsored by Senator Cassie Chambers Armstrong and is awaiting committee assignment. Awaiting Committee Assignment
Other Legislative Item Senate Bill 204 Protect Children from Harmful Ingestions Summary SB 204 would enhance the penalty of criminal abuse or neglect when a child under the age of 13 suffers serious physical injury due to ingesting or inhaling a controlled substance. It would also require several professions, including law enforcement, child care, medical, and social workers, to complete at least one hour of continuing education training on pediatric ingestions and [...]
Other Legislative Item Senate Bill 170 Address Student Truancy Issues Summary SB 170 would establish a pilot program to be known as ‘Supporting Opportunities for Accountability and Restoration’ in at least 10 school districts to address barriers to attendance and successful completion of diversion programs for students in grades 6-12. It would require students who have missed more than 5 days of school and their parents to participate in the program. House [...]
Other Legislative Item House Bill 669 Support Children in Foster Care Summary HB 669 would prohibit the Cabinet for Health and Family Services from using a foster child’s earned federal benefits to reimburse the state, require the Cabinet to determine benefit eligibility, and establish a program allowing youth in care to access portions of those funds. Status HB 669 is sponsored by Representative David Meade. It has passed the Kentucky House [...]
Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – Kentucky is at a critical point within the system of family legal representation for child welfare proceedings – with concerns around the quality of legal representation being voiced by foster care alumni, birth parents, foster parents, and others in the system. Family and District Court Judges cite low compensation, challenging caseloads, and lack of local attorneys as [...]
Other Legislative Item House Bill 608 Protect Children from Sexual Abuse Summary HB 608, known as Trey's Law, would declare any nondisclosure or confidentiality agreement or provision void that prohibits the disclosure of an act of sexual abuse. Status HB 608 is sponsored by Representative T.J. Roberts and has been assigned to the House Judiciary Committee. Awaiting Committee Hearing
Guest host Shannon Moody is joined by three community leaders to discuss the importance of meeting families’ basic needs in efforts to mitigate Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the intersection with Bloom Kentucky’s state policy priorities. Guests include Lacy Boling, Executive Director, Paducah Cooperative Ministries; Sara Hemingway, Executive Director, Marilyn and William Young Foundation in Owensboro; and Timothy Johnson, President and CEO of the Greater Clark Foundation in Winchester. Learn more about Bloom Kentucky [...]
Blueprint Legislative Priority Support Positive Youth Development House Bill 686 would establish the Kentucky Positive Youth Development commission and trust fund -- consisting of any incoming social media settlements monies, in addition to state appropriations, gifts, grants, and federal funds -- to support the research and development of positive youth development programming for children and transition age youth. It also establishes a Suicide Awareness and Reduction Network within the State Interagency [...]
Over the last decade, vapes have grown rapidly in popularity, especially among youth, as companies like JUUL marketed products with flashy colors and flavors appealing to kids. These practices resulted in a lawsuit and subsequent settlement with JUUL for their role in exposing kids to addictive nicotine products. The Kentucky General Assembly has the opportunity to put those settlement funds to best use with the biggest impact by directing upcoming dollars towards youth nicotine prevention [...]
Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – More than a decade ago, vapes grew rapidly in popularity, especially among youth after companies like JUUL began marketing products with flashy colors and flavors appealing to kids. These practices resulted in a lawsuit and subsequent settlement with JUUL for their role in exposing kids to addictive nicotine products. Today, tobacco and nicotine use among youth continues [...]
