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 [...]

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

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 [...]

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. [...]