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We are approaching the end of this year’s session, with only three days remaining on the legislative calendar. While we focused on the bills and resolutions on our agenda, we are also aware that last week Kentuckians across the state saw tragedies, including the deadly coal mine accident in Harlan County and a bomb scare at the Jewish Community Center in Louisville. Events like these always put into perspective how the policies we enact in Frankfort have a real impact on Kentuckians and are never far from my mind when I take a vote on behalf of the 18th District.

While many bills are still up for consideration, only a few will make it through the process to become law. Under the current legislative calendar, I will join fellow legislators for two days this week, then we will return on April 13 to deal with any unfinished business. The final two days are always reserved to give us time to consider any vetoes that a Governor might issue on bills we have passed.

Here are a few examples of the legislation passed this last week:

Child Abuse and Neglect: Members of the House approved SB 8, which renames the State Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Prevention Board to the State Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board to reflect the Board’s expanded scope, membership and functions. The board would include all forms of maltreatment including child abuse and neglect. SB 8 expands the definition of fictive kin to include individuals who have a relationship with a biological parent, sibling, and half-sibling from birth to 12 months of age and expands access to abuse prevention services by providing preservation services to children who are moderately at risk of out of home placement.

Lily’s Law: Last Wednesday, the House passed HB 185. The measure toughens the state’s driving under the influence (DUI) laws by making it a Class D felony and requiring those arrested for a DUI to remain in custody for eight hours. HB 185 is named Lily’s Law after Lily Fairfield, a 16-year-old girl who was tragically killed in an automobile crash caused by someone who had been arrested days before after driving under the influence.

Healthcare Worker Loan Relief Program: Last week, the House passed HB 573, which creates a state program aimed at recruiting and retaining healthcare workers throughout the Commonwealth. Healthcare workforce shortages have plagued our state for years, and, like many things, the pandemic exacerbated the problem. Under this measure, eligible program participants would receive a tax-free student loan repayment in exchange for a two-year full-time service commitment.

Combating Catalytic Converter Theft: Legislation requiring the purchasers of catalytic converters to maintain a record makes it a Class B misdemeanor to purchase stolen or for failing to keep a registry. SB 114 is the response to the increase in catalytic converter theft in Kentucky.

Election Integrity: SB 216 passed on the House floor last week. The measure expands the existing audit process, moves up the deadline for transitioning to universal paper ballots, and ensures that election machines are not hooked up to the internet.

Early High School Graduation Requirements: Last week, SB 61 passed the House. With many colleges and universities preferring the SAT used to measure what students have learned, SB 61 removes the end-of-course ACT and the benchmark requirements from the early high school graduation program.

Road Plan: Legislation laying out the budget for road projects over the next two fiscal years passed on the House floor. The three main road projects outlined in HB 242 are: Brent Spence Bridge, I-69 corridor in Henderson, and Mountain Parkway road widening in Eastern Kentucky.

Thank you for taking the time to read this update. I appreciate that our local media is willing to run these columns and, of course, hope you’ll let me know if you have any comments or questions. I can be reached during the week from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. (EST) through the toll-free message line at 1-800-372-7181. You can also contact me via e-mail at Samara.Heavrin@lrc.ky.gov. You can keep track of committee meetings and potential legislation through the Kentucky Legislature Home Page at legislature.ky.gov.

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