Contact:
Mara Powell
mpowell@kyyouth.org

Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates

LOUISVILLE, KY – On the heels of the release of the annual national Child Maltreatment report, we are celebrating as the Kentucky House of Representatives unanimously supports passage of House Bill 275 to promote child abuse prevention efforts within schools. Keeping kids safe is an adult responsibility – and that especially includes the caring adults in our school buildings.

Students are in school over 6 hours per day, 180 days per year and their parents trust the teachers and school faculty to keep their children safe from abuse while providing essential knowledge to prepare them for adulthood. HB 275 will help ensure that by mandating that public schools, charter schools, and certified nonpublic schools cannot enter into nondisclosure agreements regarding misconduct involving minors or students. It also introduces the definition of abusive conduct and requires rigorous background and reference checks for school district applicants, requires investigation of abusive conduct allegations, and establishes stringent employment standards and training related to sexual misconduct, among others.

Kentucky Youth Advocates joins the Kosair for Kids Face It Movement in thanking Representative James Tipton for continuing to champion this legislation and for the House supporting its passage today. We now urge the Senate to keep up the momentum so that this critical child safety legislation reaches the finish line this session.

Stay up-to-date on Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children priorities and other bills that are good for kids on our Kentucky General Assembly Bill Tracker.

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About Kentucky Youth Advocates
Kentucky Youth Advocates believes all children deserve to be safe, healthy, and secure. As THE independent voice for Kentucky’s children, we work to ensure policymakers create investments and policies that are good for children. Learn more at www.kyyouth.org.