Week 10 of the 2024 Legislative Session
The Kentucky General Assembly has wrapped up the 10th legislative week of the 2024 Regular Session.
As budget discussions reach their peak, I remain a vocal advocate on behalf of the transformational early childhood education proposal, the Horizons Act—Senate Bill (SB) 203. I have detailed the bill in previous legislative updates, and the press coverage and positive public feedback have been plentiful. You can find a great deep dive into the bill at THIS LINK. Dr. Sarah Vanover of Kentucky Youth Advocates drafted the report. She, Dr. Jennifer Washburn, an early childhood education center owner/operator and early childhood education expert, the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, the Pritchard Committee, and numerous other advocate organizations have been amazing allies in our effort. The Horizons Act was reassigned to the Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee last week after the Senate Families and Children Committee approved it. I will continue to present the case for this worthwhile investment into Kentucky’s kids, families, and economy to ensure we provide quality, reliable, and affordable education. It allows working mothers and fathers to participate in the workforce and our small and large businesses to thrive.
Early next week, I will present my legislative proposal concerning the Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice. SB 242 outlines procedures for assessing and treating high-acuity youth facing public offense charges. It will put the mental health of troubled youth at the forefront by directing the construction of a mental health facility to provide residential treatment for mentally ill and violent children who are in DJJ custody.
SB 242 also follows through on our 2023 SB 162 requirement for DJJ to implement a regional model of juvenile detention facilities, with segregation of violent offenders from non-violent. It would also provide for constructing and operating at least two female-only detention facilities, one in central Kentucky and one in western Kentucky. These centers would also ensure the safe segregation violent offenders from non-violent ones. DJJ would be granted authority to reassign the housing of a particular child based on safety or security concerns, staffing needs, and classification. The legislature must step up in this space as we have in the past and fulfill the commitment we previously made to addressing the mental health and safety needs of troubled kids, the safety of the public, and of those working within these facilities.
Additionally, I am continuing to monitor the progress of my legislation to strengthen Kentucky’s energy ecosystem through the development of nuclear energy production. On Wednesday, the House assigned SB 198 and Senate Joint Resolution 140 to the House Natural Resources and Energy Committee. I hope to be in front of that committee next week to present the bill and qualify it for a vote from all 100 state House of Representatives members. My friend and colleague Rep. Randy Bridges will carry the bill on the House floor should it pass the House committee. You can find summaries of these bills in my previous legislative updates.
On a related note, I am proud to co-sponsor SB 349, which passed the Senate on Friday. It would acknowledge the importance of a comprehensive approach to achieving affordable and dependable energy for families and businesses if enacted. I have long advocated for an all-of-the-above approach to meeting our energy needs. SB 349 would establish the Energy Planning and Inventory Commission to evaluate electric generation capabilities, assess energy demands, and review plans to retire power plants. The focus is on ensuring the state’s electric infrastructure can handle future demands and withstand natural disasters. Any findings and recommendations will be submitted to the state Public Service Commission. The legislation also emphasizes due diligence, requiring utilities to notify the committee a year before applying to retire a power plant. Decommissioning can only proceed if the replacement generation is ready and the plant proven unnecessary for reliable service. Coal is a vital part of our state’s history and our economy. It powered the industrial revolution and our coal counties powered America. Kentucky can continue doing so through this legislation and through openness to the development of advancing nuclear energy production technology. I hope to see our commonwealth be a leader in this area.
As you can tell, the pace of the session quickened this week with several other measures receiving Senate approval:
I was also a co-sponsor of SB 8, which would address the long-standing concern of governors politicizing Kentucky’s Board of Education (KBE) by modifying the selection process for board members and shifting the role of the Kentucky Department of Education to a support organization for our schools rather than a controlling organization. The bill would discontinue the current practice of the governor unilaterally appointing the 11-member board, with confirmation by the Senate, and move to election by voters across all seven Supreme Court districts. If these modifications were implemented, the governor would no longer have the authority to appoint all members, as exemplified by Governor Andy Beshear’s disbanding of the entire board and subsequent appointment of a new board composed entirely of Democrats. Under the proposed changes, two KBE members would be elected from each of the seven Supreme Court districts, fostering a more representative and balanced approach to board membership.
SB 27 addresses drug manufacturers’ restrictions in the 340B program, prohibiting discriminatory practices and empowering the attorney general to investigate violations. The bill ensures fair access to discounted drugs for health care providers.
SB 58 simplifies the tax protest process, allowing any registered voter to file without forming a committee or including a Social Security number. Each petition sheet can now include names from multiple voting precincts.
SB 110 supports mothers and babies by allowing child support actions from conception. Within the first year, it may be retroactive nine months after birth.
SB 111 requires therapy coverage for stuttering in Medicaid and private health plans, prohibits limits, and allows telehealth services.
SB 142 grants Kentucky state employees up to four weeks of paid leave for childbirth or adoption, enhancing family support.
SB 147 establishes state-wide standards for adult-oriented businesses, ensures child safety, and prohibits explicit performances on government properties.
SB 153 exempts, at their request, individuals seventy or older from jury service and simplifies the qualification process. I did not support this bill as I believe that decision should be left to the judge on a case-by-case basis. Our court system values the participation of this generation in the justice process, and we need its participation to ensure justice.
SB 164 streamlines professional licensing, recognizes equivalencies for trade jobs and increases workforce participation.
SB 167 requires cursive writing in elementary schools from 2025-26, aiming to enhance communication and motor skills.
SB 194 enables insurers to communicate electronically with individuals covered under employer-sponsored group health insurance. Employers can consent to electronic delivery, but individuals must have the option to opt-out annually. The provisions apply to contracts entered into or renewed on or after the act’s effective date.
SB 202 enhances rehabilitation, allowing violence reduction program participation as parole or probation conditions.
SB 215 prevents the enforcement of California-like air emissions standards for electric vehicles in Kentucky.
SB 240 removes barriers for foster families in Kentucky by allowing them to qualify for child care benefits while working remotely. This addresses the current requirement that they work outside the home for at least 20 hours a week.
SB 244 changes ballot order determination to a draw, ensuring fairness for all candidates.
SB 249 requires sex offenders to display full names on social media, establishing penalties for non-compliance.
SB 255 modernizes social worker services with telehealth standards, ensuring client privacy and communication.
SB 265 modifies the Option 7 alternative teacher certification, removing GRE or CASE requirements and granting provisional certification.
Senate Joint Resolution 149 directs the Energy and Environment Cabinet to guide entities on best practices for PFAS discharges into Kentucky’s water supply.
This week marked the session’s inaugural veto with House Bill (HB) 18. Both House and Senate majorities swiftly united to override the veto, emphasizing their commitment to safeguard property owner rights. Now, with provisions from Senate Bill 25 and an emergency clause, HB 18 has become law.
Find more on these bills online at Legislature.ky.gov and visit KYSenateRepublicans.com for news releases from the Senate Majority Caucus.
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 YouTube Channel. 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.