Blueprint Legislative Priority Strengthen Family Legal Representation House Bill 598, known as the Family Representation and Advocacy Act, would establish the Department of Family Representation and Advocacy as an independent agency to strengthen the quality and consistency of guardians ad litem and other court-appointed counsel in child welfare cases. It would centralize attorney appointment, compensation, training, and oversight and create a commission to oversee the department's work. Review the Blueprint for Kentucky's [...]

Other Legislative Item Senate Bill 156 End Child Marriage Summary SB 156 would prohibit marriage with a person under 18 years old and repeal the statute allowing 17-year-olds to marry with court permission. Status SB 156 is sponsored by Senator Julie Raque Adams. It has passed the Kentucky Senate and the House Families & Children Committee. Passed House Committee

Other Legislative Item House Bill 621 Support Special Education Summary HB 621 would require the Kentucky Department of Education to set regulations for the maximum class size and caseload for special education services for children and youth. Status HB 621 is co-sponsored by Representative Tina Bojanowski and Representative Jason Nemes. It has passed the Kentucky House and has been assigned to the Senate Education Committee. Passed KY House [...]

Other Legislative Item House Bill 528 Establish Leadership of the Kentucky School for the Deaf Summary HB 528 would set timelines for the appointment of a search committee for the superintendent of the Kentucky School for the Deaf and for the appointment of the superintendent. Status HB 528 is sponsored by Representative Daniel Elliot and has been assigned to the House Primary and Secondary Education Committee. Awaiting Committee Hearing [...]

Blueprint Legislative Priority Strengthen Quality and Access to Child Care House Bill 6 would help ensure quality child care to children with disabilities by increasing training to providers and allowing on-site therapy (when available) with parent permission, strengthen the Children Care Assistance Program and the Employee Child Care Assistance Partnership program, and more. Review the Blueprint for Kentucky's Children policy priority fact sheet. Check out this deep dive into HB 6. [...]

Other Legislative Item House Joint Resolution 50 Study Child Care in the Commonwealth Summary HJR 50 would direct the Auditor of Public Accounts to commission a study of applicable statutes, administrative regulations, and agency policies that impact the opening and operating of licensed and certified child care services and report its findings and recommendations. Status HJR 50 is co-sponsored by Representative Samara Heavrin and Representative Robert Duvall. It has passed the Kentucky [...]