We welcomed February with the passage of a two-year $129.8 billion spending plan that includes record funding for K-12 public schools, and strategic investments in public safety, infrastructure, and health services. The plan, HB 6 also includes major investments in mental health and substance abuse recovery, and programs serving the state’s most vulnerable.
In addition to the operational budget proposed in the HB 6, we also approved HB 1, an investment proposal that uses $1.84 billion in excess funds from the state budget reserve trust fund to make significant one-time investments in infrastructure, economic development, public safety, and state employee and teacher’s pension liabilities.
Alongside HB 1 and HB 6, we took up several other measures on the House floor. Highlights include:
Veteran Suicide Prevention: HB 30 would train employees within the Kentucky Department of Veteran Affairs to better assist our veterans with connecting to mental health services tailored to their needs. Many nonprofit groups exist that work to prevent veteran suicide, and we want to ensure that we are maximizing the impact that these groups can have. Veteran suicide is an issue that continues to affect the Commonwealth, and this bill would be another step in the fight to help protect the lives of those Kentuckians who fought to protect us all. Over 100 veteran suicides have occurred in Kentucky in each of the last three years, according to statistics from the University of Kentucky’s College of Public Health.
Medicaid Coverage for Anticoagulation Management: HB 31 would require Medicaid to cover at home prothrombin time or international normalized ratio (INR) testing including education, training, INR monitors, testing devices and testing supplies. INR is a blood test that shows how long it takes your blood to clot.
Adoption Records: HB 87 would permit the child, grandchild, or sibling of a deceased birth parent or deceased adoptee to be given the right to inspect adoption papers and records. The person must apply in writing to the Circuit Court and, if the court is satisfied as to the identity of the adult person, it “shall” authorize the inspection.
Rental Property Theft: HB 95 amends the theft of services statute to include the conduct of a person holding the property of another under a rental agreement longer than the agreed-upon period and depriving the owner of its use for future rentals.
Moments of Silence and Reflection: HB 96 would require local boards of education to establish policies and procedures to allow for a moment of silence or reflection at the start of each school day. This policy would give students the opportunity to focus on what’s important to them for a minute or two each day. Students can take the opportunity to pray if they choose or they can reflect on themselves and prepare for the day ahead of them.
Voluntary Insurance Coverage for Loss of Income: HB 179 would give employers the opportunity to offer their employees paid family medical leave as an insurance product. Paid family leave insurance would provide a temporary wage replacement for workers who need to take leave to provide care to a sick family member; bond with a child after the child’s birth, adoption, or placement for foster care; care for a family member in the military who was injured in the line of duty; or for other reasons as outlined in the employer’s benefit plan.
In addition to the House action this week, the Kentucky Auditor of Public Accounts Allison Ball released an independent review of the Department of Juvenile Justice. The report’s findings align with our experiences addressing concerns in the Department for Juvenile Justice. This independent assessment validates the issues we have heard about – living conditions, mismanagement, and inadequate protocols. Feedback from both distressed staff and families echoes these concerns. Financial constraints aren’t the root cause, given the legislature’s provision of more funds than requested. Notably, the legislature enacted substantial reforms through statutory changes. It’s imperative for the department, the cabinet, and the Governor to stop the excuses and address the systemic issues within juvenile justice.
As always, I can be reached anytime through the toll-free message line in Frankfort at 1-800-372-7181. You can also contact me via e-mail at amy.neighbors@lrc.ky.gov and keep track through the Kentucky legislature’s website at legislature.ky.gov.
(Laura Leigh Goins — Deputy Chief of Staff for Media Relations)