Statement on Passage of Legislation to Address Educator Sexual Misconduct

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – With just a few days left in the 2025 state legislative session, we appreciate Representative James Tipton’s laser-like attention on achieving passage of his longstanding commitment to addressing educator sexual misconduct in the Commonwealth. We’re celebrating as House Bill 36, adopted as a committee substitute of House Bill 298, was unanimously supported by the Senate Education Committee [...]

By |2025-03-10T16:51:37-04:00March 10th, 2025|Child Welfare & Safety, Education, News Room|

Statement on Passage of SB 73 by the Kentucky House

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – On this final day of Children’s Advocacy Week, we are celebrating as the first Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children priority bill is headed to the Governor’s desk. Senate Bill 73, championed by Senator Julie Raque Adams, was passed unanimously by the Kentucky House – emphasizing the General Assembly’s commitment to empowering victims of sexual exploitation, holding perpetrators of [...]

By |2025-03-07T14:34:38-05:00March 7th, 2025|Child Welfare & Safety, Education, News Room|

Statement on Passage of HB 90 by the Kentucky House

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – With the leadership of Representative Jason Nemes, House Bill 90 passed the full Kentucky House this afternoon. This legislation, and its companion Senate Bill 17, are critical levers to offering more options for prenatal and delivery care for Kentucky’s pregnant moms. As an alternative to a hospital delivery, freestanding birth centers have a track record of providing [...]

By |2025-03-06T17:08:34-05:00March 6th, 2025|Health, News Room, Race Equity|

Statement on Passage of SB 73 by House Judiciary Committee

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – Kids’ safety was prioritized by the Kentucky House Judiciary Committee with their overwhelming bipartisan support of Senate Bill 73 today. Through the leadership of Senator Julie Raque Adams, SB 73 will empower victims of sexual extortion by holding perpetrators accountable and will prioritize prevention education among Kentucky’s most vulnerable to online risks.  Senate Bill 73, sponsored by [...]

By |2025-03-05T10:32:43-05:00March 5th, 2025|Child Welfare & Safety, Education, News Room|

Governor Beshear, House and Senate Leadership Join Hundreds of Youth and Advocates for Children’s Advocacy Day at the Capitol 2025

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org FRANKFORT, KY – Hundreds of child advocates are convening this week for Children’s Advocacy Week, urging elected leaders to support the Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children, a unified policy agenda focused on creating brighter futures for all Kentucky kids and families. Today is Children’s Advocacy Day at the Capitol, where community organizations, professionals who work with kids and families, and young people from across the Commonwealth gather in Frankfort to meet with their legislators, attend committee [...]

Statement on Passage of HB 90 by the House Licensing & Occupations Committee

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – Expanded access to perinatal care options for low-risk pregnant women is a win for families, communities, and the state’s bottom line. House Bill 90, championed by Representative Jason Nemes and passed today by the House Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations Committee, removes barriers to establishing freestanding birth centers – a priority of health advocates and leaders for [...]

By |2025-03-05T10:11:52-05:00March 5th, 2025|Health, News Room, Race Equity|

Statement on Passage of HB 291 by the Kentucky House

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – A justice system that promotes accountability, considers primary caregiver status, and reserves incarceration for those who pose a risk to public safety can be a win-win-win for family well-being, community safety, and the state’s bottom line. Representative Nick Wilson’s House Bill 291 seeks to do just that by requiring courts to consider alternative sentencing options when an [...]

Statement on Passage of SB 100 by the Kentucky Senate

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – Kids flat out won today as Senator Jimmy Higdon's Senate Bill 100 passed the Senate floor – emphasizing the Member's commitment to youth health and holding those accountable who may jeopardize a kid's chance at a healthy, addiction-free future. In an effort to enforce the Tobacco-21 law, SB 100 seeks to hold retailers accountable for underage tobacco, [...]

By |2025-02-26T16:57:40-05:00February 26th, 2025|Education, Health, News Room|

Statement on Passage of HB 291 by the House Families & Children Committee

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – Kentucky has the third highest rate of parental incarceration in the nation, with over 100,000 children having experienced the disruption and trauma of being separated from a parent. The Family Preservation and Accountability Act, co-championed by Senator Julie Raque Adams and Representative Nick Wilson, seeks to hold parents accountable for their actions while minimizing the negative impact [...]

Statement on Passage of SB 100 Senate Licensing & Occupations Committee

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – Kentucky kids have told us – as well as teachers, parents, coaches, and health care providers – vaping is happening among our high school and middle school students. And the reality is that, despite the Tobacco-21 law prohibiting sales of vapes and e-cigarettes to those under 21, two out of five youth nationally report getting these products [...]

By |2025-02-18T10:47:43-05:00February 18th, 2025|Education, Health, News Room|
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