It is always a bittersweet moment when the gavel drops on day 60 for the Kentucky General Assembly. Both advocates and legislators alike closed the chapter on a season where debates were had, hearts were opened, and policies passed.
While the session may come to a close, the work of Bloom Kentucky continues as we work to advance policies and budgetary investments that create the conditions that shape the environments where children and families live, work, and play.
Bloom Kentucky released a bold agenda of state policy and budget priorities to help prevent and mitigate Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs).
Codesigned and informed by coalition members from Paducah to Pineville, these priorities elevated key strategies for stabilizing housing, establishing standards around utility disconnection, assessing legislation through child and family impact statements, investing in diaper needs, and creating mechanisms to direct social media settlement dollars toward positive childhood experiences.
Here’s a quick overview of how each policy priority fared?
| Policy Priority | Relevant Bills, Sponsors, and Final Status |
|---|---|
| Promote family housing stability by making common sense changes to the eviction process | HB 338 (Rep. Witten) passed unanimously out of the House, but failed to advance in the Senate. HB 338 was also added as an amendment to SB 9 and could have passed upon concurrence in the Senate. |
| Establish common sense standards around when families can be disconnected from utilities | HB 377 (Rep. Witten) was assigned the House Natural Resources & Energy committee but did not receive a hearing. SB 88 (Sen. Chambers Armstrong) was not assigned to a Senate committee. |
| Assess proposed legislation through child and family impact statements | HB 51 (Rep. Baker) was filed, but had limited movement. |
| Invest in addressing diaper need | SB 258 (Sen. Chambers Armstrong) HB 865 (Rep. Calloway) SB 58 (Sen. Chambers Armstrong) HB 114 (Rep. Brown Jr.) HB 302 (Rep. Grossl) Despite significant interest and bills filed to address diaper need, there was limited movement on this common-sense priority. |
| Support positive youth development by creating mechanisms to direct social media settlement dollars toward positive childhood experiences | HB 686, (Rep. Moser) passed the House and received two readings in the Senate. HB 686 was also added as an amendment to SB 156 and could have passed upon a House vote and concurrence in the Senate. |
Here’s a quick overview of how each policy priority fared?
| Policy Priority | Relevant Bills, Sponsors, and Final Status |
|---|---|
| Promote family housing stability by making common sense changes to the eviction process | HB 338 (Rep. Witten) passed unanimously out of the House, but failed to advance in the Senate. HB 338 was also added as an amendment to SB 9 and could have passed upon concurrence in the Senate. |
| Establish common sense standards around when families can be disconnected from utilities | HB 377 (Rep. Witten) was assigned the House Natural Resources & Energy committee but did not receive a hearing. SB 88 (Sen. Chambers Armstrong) was not assigned to a Senate committee. |
| Assess proposed legislation through child and family impact statements | HB 51 (Rep. Baker) was filed, but had limited movement. |
| Invest in addressing diaper need | SB 258 (Sen. Chambers Armstrong) HB 865 (Rep. Calloway) SB 58 (Sen. Chambers Armstrong) HB 114 (Rep. Brown Jr.) HB 302 (Rep. Grossl) Despite significant interest and bills filed to address diaper need, there was limited movement on this common-sense priority. |
| Support positive youth development by creating mechanisms to direct social media settlement dollars toward positive childhood experiences | HB 686, (Rep. Moser) passed the House and received two readings in the Senate. HB 686 was also added as an amendment to SB 156 and could have passed upon a House vote and concurrence in the Senate. |
An ACEs Policy Win to Celebrate
In 2025, the Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children and Bloom Kentucky‘s 2025 legislative priorities included the Family Preservation and Accountability Act. The proposed legislation requires courts to consider alternative sentences for parents of dependent children who committed low-level and nonviolent offenses.
With the hard work of advocates and legislative champions, Senator Julie Raque Adams and Representative Nick Wilson, Senate Bill 122 successfully passed both chambers in 2026 and was signed into law by the Governor.
There were a few other ACEs-related policies filed this session that would have been good for kids and families, including:
- House Bill 227 would have required age verification procedures for AI companion and social media platforms, prohibited specific “addictive features,” and set privacy setting requirements and parental rights around account management. It also would have authorized the Attorney General to bring forth action on behalf of Kentuckians where appropriate.
- This bill did not make it across the finish line, however, we do anticipate future legislation with the ongoing social media lawsuits.
- Senate Bill 81 would have established a refundable state child tax credit for Kentucky families with children under age six.
- This bill did not move, but we hope to see similar legislation to support working families advance in the future.
An ACEs Policy Win to Celebrate
In 2025, the Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children and Bloom Kentucky‘s 2025 legislative priorities included the Family Preservation and Accountability Act. The proposed legislation requires courts to consider alternative sentences for parents of dependent children who committed low-level and nonviolent offenses.
With the hard work of advocates and legislative champions, Senator Julie Raque Adams and Representative Nick Wilson, Senate Bill 122 successfully passed both chambers in 2026 and was signed into law by the Governor.
There were a few other ACEs-related policies filed this session that would have been good for kids and families, including:
- House Bill 227 would have required age verification procedures for AI companion and social media platforms, prohibited specific “addictive features,” and set privacy setting requirements and parental rights around account management. It also would have authorized the Attorney General to bring forth action on behalf of Kentuckians where appropriate.
- This bill did not make it across the finish line, however, we do anticipate future legislation with the ongoing social media lawsuits.
- Senate Bill 81 would have established a refundable state child tax credit for Kentucky families with children under age six.
- This bill did not move, but we hope to see similar legislation to support working families advance in the future.
What did we learn? What is next?
We are proud of community partners that engaged during the interim and session to elevate these issues and provide insights on how these policy and budgetary investments would impact their respective communities. From discussing the economic impact of ACEs to podcast conversations on meeting basic needs as a strategy to mitigate ACEs to stories shared about how partners are building positive childhood experiences across the state, these collective efforts underscored a powerful truth about how Kentucky’s resilience grows when we come together to ensure every child has an opportunity to flourish.
As we reflect on the progress made, we as advocates know that the work doesn’t end until every child has access to positive conditions in which they live, learn, and play.
What did we learn? What is next?
We are proud of community partners that engaged during the interim and session to elevate these issues and provide insights on how these policy and budgetary investments would impact their respective communities. From discussing the economic impact of ACEs to podcast conversations on meeting basic needs as a strategy to mitigate ACEs to stories shared about how partners are building positive childhood experiences across the state, these collective efforts underscored a powerful truth about how Kentucky’s resilience grows when we come together to ensure every child has an opportunity to flourish.
As we reflect on the progress made, we as advocates know that the work doesn’t end until every child has access to positive conditions in which they live, learn, and play.
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