This Week at the State Capitol

FRANKFORT — Headlines in recent days have made it clear that Kentucky’s problems
with heroin, other illegal opioids and prescription drug abuse, continue to take
lives and devastate communities at a shocking rate.

In-state newspapers have recently reported the more than 52 drug overdoses occurred
over a 32-hour period in Louisville, and nine overdose calls came in over 12 hours
in Madison County. A national publication reported that one rural Kentucky county
filled enough prescriptions over 12 months to supply 150 doses of painkillers to
every person in the county.

The same conversations held across the state about the way the drug crisis is
impacting the court system, police, health care workers, treatment facilities,
social workers, prison officials and families are also being held in the State
Capitol. Those deliberations resulted in a number of bills aimed at addressing the
issue, including several bills that took steps forward in the legislative process
this week.

On Tuesday, the Senate approved Senate Bill 14, which is aimed at getting drug
dealers off the streets by strengthening penalties for trafficking in heroin and
fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid. Under the legislation, which was approved on
a 36-0 vote, trafficking in less than two grams of these substances would be
elevated to a Class C felony punishable by five to 10 years in prison.

Later in the week, a pair of bills addressing the drug crises were also approved in
the House committees.

House Bill 333 would make it a felony to illegally sell or distribute any amount of
fentanyl, carfentanil – a powerful opioid intended for large animals – and related
drugs. Trafficking any amount of these drugs could result in up to 10 years in
prison under the legislation. The bill would also restrict prescriptions for some
painkillers to a three-day supply, though exceptions would be allowed in some
circumstances. House Bill 333 was approved by the House Judiciary Committee and now
goes to the full House for consideration.

The House Education Committee approved House Bill 145, which would help fight opioid
addiction by requiring that public school students be educated about the dangers of
prescription pain killers and their connection to addiction to heroin and other
drugs.

Bills on other issues that advanced in the General Assembly this week include the
following:
* Senate Bill 1 is a sweeping education reform measure that sets the course
to change educational standards and accountability for public schools. The more than
100-page-long bill is an omnibus measure aimed at empowering state education
officials, locally-elected school board members and teachers to decide the best
teaching methods for their communities. It would set up several committees and
advisory panels to review educational standards. The bill would change how students
are tested, and it would also set up a new way for intervening in low-performing
schools by placing more power in the local school district during those
interventions. The bill passed the Senate on a 35-0 vote and now goes to the House
for consideration.

* House Bill 14 would give police, firefighters, and emergency medical
services personnel protection under the state’s hate crime statutes. Under the bill,
those who assault, kidnap, or commit certain other violent offenses against first
responders could face stricter sentencing in court. Currently only the
legally-protected classes of race, color, religion and national origin, as well as
sexual orientation, are covered under the state’s hate crime statute. House Bill 14
passed the House on a 77-13-1 vote and has been sent to the Senate.

* Senate Bill 78 would require public schools across Kentucky would to go
smoke-free by next school year. The bill would outlaw the use of all tobacco
products, including electronic cigarettes, on elementary, middle and high school
campuses in addition to buses. The bill was approved by the Senate on a 25-8-2 and
has been sent to the House.

* Senate Bill 75 would increase the amount donors can contribute to election
campaigns. Under the legislation, individuals and political action committees could
donate $2,000 in the primary and general elections in Kentucky- up from the $1,000
limit. The bill passed the Senate on a 27-10 vote and has been delivered to the
House.

* House Bill 192 would make it easier for 16- and 17-year-olds in foster
care to apply for driver’s permits and driver’s licenses. The bill, which passed
96-0 before being sent to the Senate, would allow those in foster care to get a
driver’s license or permit without requiring them to have a parent’s or other
adult’s signature on the permit or license applications.

Members of the General Assembly are eager to receive feedback on the issues under
consideration. You can share your thoughts with lawmakers by calling the General
Assembly’s toll-free message line at 800-372-7181.

You can also write any legislator by sending a letter with the lawmaker’s name to:
Capitol Annex, 702 Capitol Avenue, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601.