Week 7 of the 2024 Legislative Session
This past week, my focus has been on legislation addressing our state’s impending economic and workforce crisis should we fail to address the upcoming loss of federal funding supporting our early childhood education (child care) providers. On Tuesday, I was honored to be joined in Frankfort by dozens of advocates and stakeholders here to support legislation I filed the same day, Senate Bill (SB) 203, an act officially cited as “The Horizons Act.”
This is a transformational early childhood education (ECE) proposal that challenges the Kentucky General Assembly to step up for our kids, working families, and business community by providing a total $300 million investment in the biennial budget, $150 million each fiscal year. I have also challenged my colleagues to transform the way they look at “child care” or “day care” and look at it for what it is: early childhood education. It is every bit as important as K-12 education!
The Innovations in ECE Delivery Fund created by SB 203 aims to support innovative early childhood education models, including on-site employer-based care and non-traditional hour services.
The Foundations for Early Learning Fund provides funding to ECE providers based on enrollment numbers to offset rising wages and material costs. Grant awards would be based on student enrollment, much like the SEEK formula in K-12 education.
The Family Early Childhood Education Home Fund supports start-up funding for small, certified providers operating in private homes, particularly in rural areas.
The ECE Provider Start-up Fund focuses on establishing new traditional early childhood education services in areas across the state, especially those areas with limited access, known as child care deserts.
SB 203 directs the Kentucky Community and Technology Colleges System to create the Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education Entrepreneur associate degree under the work ready scholarship program. This program would prepare students to own or operate their own early childhood education program.
Other provisions would continue current Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) rates and standards at current levels and continue CCAP eligibility for ECE teachers. Finally, the bill directs the cabinet to continue covering fees for ECE teacher background checks.
With federal funding ending in September, we must do what is needed to fill the gap and be bold and innovative in supporting early childhood education opportunities for kids, working families, and the business community to ensure our economy continues to thrive.
I will soon share more information on legislation I’ve introduced to strengthen our state’s energy ecosystem related to the potential for nuclear energy.
Having surpassed the midpoint of the 2024 Regular Session, it’s a pivotal time to reflect and renew our dedication to our legislative responsibilities. With just under 30 legislative days remaining, we recommit ourselves to the crucial tasks that lie ahead.
Throughout the session, we’ve had the privilege of hosting various student groups and esteemed guests within the halls of our Capitol. Their presence has infused our deliberations with fresh perspectives, reminding us of the importance of civic engagement and our responsibility to mentor and empower the next generation of leaders in the commonwealth.
In the words of John Quincy Adams, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.” As we navigate the complexities of governance, this quote reminds us that true leadership is marked by its ability to inspire others to reach their fullest potential.
As we approach Presidents’ Day, it’s fitting to pay homage to the exemplary leadership and selfless sacrifices of those who have held our nation’s highest office. Much like John Quincy Adams, our past presidents have steered the course of history with their visionary leadership, guiding us through moments of adversity and transformation.
The pace of activity picked up in the Senate this week as we passed several bills including:
SB 89 is a bill that came through the Senate Families and Children Committee, which I serve as chair. The bill proposes the addition of a new section to KRS Chapter 205, mandating the Department for Medicaid Services and any managed care organization contracted for Medicaid services to offer coverage for certified professional midwifery services provided by licensed certified professional midwives. Additionally, the Cabinet for Health and Family Services or the Department for Medicaid Services must seek federal approval if they determine it necessary to implement this coverage. The bill aims to ensure that certified professional midwifery services are included in the scope of Medicaid coverage and allows for the pursuit of federal approval when required.
SB 6 would ensure students and employees of public postsecondary institutions are not penalized for refusing to endorse discriminatory concepts. It also prohibits preferential treatment based on political or social ideology and mandates that courses don’t advocate discriminatory concepts as fact. Additionally, SB 6 mandates new student orientation programs and allocates at least 50 percent of diversity initiative employees’ duties to supporting Pell grant students. The attorney general can enforce the act through civil action, and institutions must publish designated course information on their website.
SB 11 enhances school safety efforts by requiring schools to be notified within 24 hours when a juvenile is charged with certain crimes, ensuring better communication and proactive measures to protect our students. This is another step in Kentucky’s efforts to lead in school safety. I can see this measure going a long way in strengthening communications between school personnel and law enforcement to provide early warning to potential threats to our children’s safety.
SB 23 would propose a constitutional amendment exempting homeowners 65 and older from property valuation increases, providing much-needed relief to our senior citizens. To enact this change, the bill still requires support from three-fifths of the state House of Representatives. If approved in the House, the proposed amendment would then be presented to Kentucky voters on a future general election ballot. Should a majority of voters favor the amendment, it would be adopted.
SB 143 would prohibit individuals who are not citizens of the United States from participating in the voting process within the commonwealth of Kentucky. Our U.S. Constitution already speaks to this prohibition, but this measure would clearly reflect the same in our Constitution of Kentucky.
Additional bills receiving approval in the Senate this week included SBs 16, 29, 139 and 158. You can find those bill details online at Legislature.ky.gov.
In observance of Presidents’ Day, the General Assembly will not convene on Monday, February 19.
In closing, I want to remind all military families in the 21st Senate District that the final day to apply for a child to participate in Military Kids Day will is Friday, February 23. Military Kids Day is an annual event at the state Capitol that provides an opportunity to recognize the children of military mothers and fathers.
Kids are recognized in the House and Senate chambers, they engage in the legislative process, and participate in a Capitol tour and scavenger hunt. This year we are excited to partner with the Kentucky Aviation Museum to have flight simulators on site for these great kids to enjoy. If you know a child of a mom or dad who serves in the armed forces, please have them contact Senate Clerk Donna Holiday at Donna.Holiday@lrc.ky.gov to apply. Applications are available online at the Legislature.ky.gov website.
Thank you for your continued engagement in the 2024 Regular Session. It is a privilege to represent you in Frankfort. Find the status of legislation by calling 866-840-2835, legislative meeting information at 800-633-9650, or leaving a message for lawmakers at 800-372-7181. You can watch and follow legislative activity at KET/org/legislature and the LRC website. If you have any questions or comments about these or any other public policy issue, please call me toll-free at 1-800-372-7181 or email me Danny.Carroll@LRC.ky.gov.