Other Legislative Item House Bill 208 Allow for annual mental health wellness exam Summary HB 208 would require that certain health insurance plans cover, at no charge, an annual mental health wellness exam by a mental health professional. Status HB 208 is sponsored by Representative Rachel Roberts. Awaiting Committee Assignment
Other Legislative Item House Joint Resolution 39 Address the benefits cliff Summary HJR 39 would direct the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to study all public assistance programs for opportunities to address the benefits cliff, study the cost of maintaining certain changes made to the Child Care Assistance Program, implement a user-friendly benefits cliff calculator tool, and develop and implement a federal Earned Income Tax Credit outreach and education program [...]
Other Legislative Item Senate Bill 162 Improve components of the Department of Juvenile Justice Summary SB 162, with the committee substitute, would strengthen data tracking of the Department of Juvenile Justice, access to mental health treatments, training of staff, and funds to support changes, among other things. Status SB 162 is sponsored by Senator Danny Carroll. It has passed the Kentucky Senate and House and has been delivered to the Governor’s desk [...]
Other Legislative Item House Bill 440 Improve representation of children Summary HB 440 would require appointment of a guardian ad litem for any unrepresented minor who is a party to the action or on behalf of whom a petition for an interpersonal protective order, emergency protective order, or domestic violence has been filed. Status HB 440 is sponsored by Representative Jason Nemes. Awaiting Committee Assignment [...]
Other Legislative Item Senate Bill 158 Conduct a performance review of the Department of Juvenile Justice Summary SB 158 would direct the office of the Auditor of Public Accounts to enter into a contract with a third party to conduct a performance review of the Department of Juvenile Justice within the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet. Status SB 158 is co-sponsored by Senator David Givens and Senator Danny Carroll. It [...]
Other Legislative Item House Bill 271 Establish the Kentucky Child Mental Health Services Access Program Summary HB 271 would establish the duties and responsibilities of the Kentucky Child Mental Health Services Access Program and that the community board for mental health or individuals with an intellectual disability shall implement, staff, and operate the program. Status HB 271 is sponsored by Representative Tina Bojanowski. Awaiting Committee Assignment [...]
Other Legislative Item House Bill 288 Strengthen child abuse prevention efforts in schools Summary HB 288 would, among other things, ensure public and certified nonpublic schools complete initial background checks and obtain reference checks of potential employees from previous employers, require applicants to disclose if they have been the subject of investigation, allegation, disciplinary actions, resignation, or termination regarding sexual misconduct in the past year, and require training for educators on appropriate [...]
Other Legislative Item House Bill 266 Establish the Incarcerated Children's Bill of Rights Summary HB 266 would create a bill of rights for children who are incarcerated by the statewide detention program. Status HB 266 is sponsored by Representative Lisa Willner. Awaiting Committee Assignment
Other Legislative Item House Bill 231 Strengthen background checks Summary HB 231 would allow the Department for Community Based Services to request a criminal justice agency to perform a federal name-based criminal history record check of each adult residing in a home in which a child is placed during an emergency placement. Status HB 231 is sponsored by Representative Daniel Elliott. It has passed the Kentucky House and is awaiting [...]
Blueprint Legislative Priority Support the health and well-being of new moms and their babies Senate Bill 135 would require the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to make publicly available information and an assessment tool on postpartum depression and other related mental health disorders, as well as develop and implement a panel aimed at improving the quality of prevention and treatment of perinatal mental health disorders. Review the Blueprint for Kentucky's Children [...]
