Contact:
Mara Powell
mpowell@kyyouth.org

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

LOUISVILLE, KY –

We’re celebrating as Senate Bill 17 passes the House Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations Committee. This commonsense bill will remove barriers to establishing freestanding birth centers in Kentucky – a move that aligns with 40 other states.

SB 17, sponsored by Senator Shelley Funke Frommeyer, is the companion bill of Representative Jason Nemes’ House Bill 90, to offer pregnant moms an alternative to a hospital delivery with a safe, homelike environment for low-risk pregnancies. With expanded access to safe perinatal options, moms and their babies can have improved health outcomes and the best chance to thrive.

We thank Senator Funke Frommeyer for her leadership on maternal health issues and the House L&O Committee members for their support of both SB 17 and HB 90 this session. We call on the full House to support SB 17’s final passage in these final days of the legislative 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.