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FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 8, 2024) — The calendar is shrinking fast, and a whirlwind of bills is spinning at full tilt as lawmakers continue to push measures on education, maternal health and digital media closer to final passage in the 2024 legislative session.
Friday wrapped up week 10 of the 60-day session, and the general assembly is wrestling with more than 1,200 bills – the highest number in 24 years. Legislative proposals have touched on virtually every issue facing the state, including two that inspired celebrity cameos this week.
Former basketball player Michael Kidd-Gilchrist testified in favor of a bill Tuesday that would eliminate some caps in insurance coverage for speech therapy. Country artist Eddie Montgomery appeared in committee Thursday on behalf of a bill to protect people’s name, voice and likeness from deepfakes.
Lawmakers also dedicated time this week to override a gubernatorial veto on House Bill 18, a measure that prohibits local governments from requiring landowners to accept tenants who use federal housing assistance.
But like last week – and like many legislative sessions in the past – educational issues continue to garner much of the attention.
Legislation on civics education, House Bill 535, cleared the House Education Committee on Tuesday.
It calls on the Kentucky Board of Education to create academic standards for civic literacy in high schools. That would include lessons on America’s founding, the U.S. Constitution, principles of government and civil liberties, among others.
Later in the day, a divided Senate passed two bills off the floor related to school safety and the state education board.
Senate Bill 2 seeks to enhance campus security by allowing some veterans and former police officers to serve as school “guardians.” It also calls on school districts to assemble trauma-informed teams to improve mental health interventions. The bill passed 28-10.
Senate Bill 8 would change the process for selecting members of the Kentucky Board of Education. Right now, the governor appoints members to the board. But SB 8 calls for members to be elected from seven districts throughout the state. It cleared the chamber on a 24-14 vote.
Both bills now head to the House, which returned to education on Thursday with a long debate over truancy.
House Bill 611 calls on school officials to file a complaint with the county attorney when a student misses 15 days of school without an excuse. For students in elementary school, the parent would be held responsible.
Lawmakers spared over the impact of the bill, with some saying it would prove too heavy-handed, particularly for vulnerable students struggling with issues at home. Supporters argued that truancy has reached crisis levels and that it demands more accountability. The bill passed 79-15.
On the maternal health front, one major bill gaining momentum this week was House Bill 10, the so-called “momnibus” bill. The measure aims to support maternal and infant health care and reduce the high mortality rate for mothers in Kentucky.
HB 10 would require health plans to cover pregnancy, child birth and postpartum care along with in-home treatment for substance use disorder. It would also require the plans to cover labor and delivery costs and all services and supplies related to breastfeeding.
The House passed the legislation 90-0 Tuesday.
Throughout the week, legislators also focused on multiple bills related to social media and artificial intelligence along with others on guns, vaping and crime. Here’s a look at some of the measures gaining traction:
Animal Abuse: House Bill 258 seeks to strengthen state laws against torturing a dog or cat. That includes stiffer penalties for first-time offenders, who would face a class D felony rather than a misdemeanor charge under the bill. The House passed the measure Monday.
Legislative Vacancies: Under House Bill 622, vacant seats in the U.S. Senate will be filled through a special election rather than an appointment by the governor. The House approved the measure on Monday.
School District Task Force: House Concurrent Resolution 81 would establish the Efficient and Effective School District Governance Task Force to study the organizational structures of Kentucky’s largest school districts and develop possible recommendations to ensure effectiveness. The House Education Committee passed the measure Tuesday.
Vaping Product Regulations: Senate Bill 344 would create a regulatory framework to combat underage use of vaping products. It calls on vaping manufactures to register with the state and certify that products comply with federal regulations. The Senate Committee on Licensing and Occupations voted in support of the bill Tuesday.
State Road Plan: House Bill 266 proposes around 1,700 road projects throughout the state, totaling $5.2 billion in appropriations. The bill cleared the House on Tuesday.
Social Media: House Bill 463 would require social media platforms to implement multiple safeguards designed to protect minors. That includes regulating algorithms, creating parental controls and shielding minors from pornographic material, among other requirements. HB 463 won support in the House on Tuesday.
Cursive Handwriting: Senate Bill 167 calls for elementary schools to teach cursive handwriting and ensure that students are proficient in cursive by the end of the fifth grade. The Senate passed the bill Tuesday.
Child Support: Once a child is born, Senate Bill 110 would allow courts to order child support to cover the prior nine months leading up to that birth. The order must be entered within the first year after the child is born. The bill cleared the Senate on Tuesday.
Freestanding Birthing Centers: House Bill 199 would exempt some freestanding birthing centers from a regulatory requirement called the “certificate of need.” Supporters say that will help ease the opening of centers in Kentucky. The House Committee on Licensing, Occupations and Administrative Regulations passed the bill Wednesday.
Legislative Interference: Under House Bill 626, people who engage in disorderly conduct that prevents the Kentucky General Assembly from conducting business could be charged with a class A misdemeanor for a first offense and a class D felony for a subsequent offense. The bill received a green light from the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday.
Youth Medical Records: House Bill 174 seeks to ensure that parents have access to their child’s medical records. Right now, children ages 13 and older must sign a waiver for parents to have access. HB 174 cleared the House on Wednesday.
Sex Offenders and Social Media: Senate Bill 249 would require sex offenders who have been convicted of abusing a minor to use their legal name on social media platforms. The Senate passed the bill Wednesday.
Adult-Oriented Businesses: Senate Bill 147 would prevent adult-oriented businesses from operating near areas where minors might congregate, such as schools, churches, child care facilities and parks. In addition, such businesses would be required to ensure that minors are not exposed to explicit performances. The bill cleared the Senate on Wednesday.
Sex Crimes: House Bill 207 would create felony penalties for possessing, trafficking, importing or promoting the use of a child sex doll. Offenders who digitally alter photos of children to create child pornography would also face felony charges under the bill. The Senate advanced the bill Wednesday. It now goes back to the House for concurrence.
Firearms: House Bill 357 would forbid government agencies from creating a list of privately owned firearms – or their owners – unless the information relates to a criminal investigation. The bill also aims to prevent credit card companies from creating unique merchant codes for purchases from gun stores. The Senate Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Protection passed the bill Thursday.
Adoption Records: House Bill 87 would allow certain adult family members to inspect adoption records after both birth parents or the adoptee have passed away. The legislation won support in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday.
School Bus Behavior: House Bill 446 seeks to address disciplinary issues on school buses. Under the bill, every bus rider – and at least one of their parents or guardians – would need to sign a transportation agreement with the district. The agreement would outline expectations for students and parents and explain the consequences for misbehavior. HB 446 cleared the Senate Education Committee on Thursday.
Autonomous Vehicles: House Bill 7 would create a regulatory framework for operating autonomous vehicles on public highways in Kentucky. The Senate Committee on Economic Development, Tourism and Labor passed the bill Thursday.
Nicotine Products: House Bill 11 would align state law with FDA regulations regarding the sale of tobacco products. Specifically, it would prohibit the sale of tobacco products to individuals under the age of 21. It would also create penalties for retailers who violate the restrictions. The bill cleared the House Health Services Committee on Thursday.
Looking ahead, many are anticipating more action soon on the state’s two-year budget. A slate of budget bills received a second reading on the Senate floor Friday, which sets the stage for additional movement next week.
However, all the bills still need a nod from the Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee before lawmakers can advance them to the chamber floor.
The chambers are set to reconvene on Monday for day 48. That leaves 11 days before the lawmakers are scheduled to gavel out for the veto recess.
Kentuckians can track the action through the Legislative Record webpage, which allows users to read bills and follow their progression through the chambers. Capitol observers can also track budget bills on the 2024 Budget Bills webpage.
Citizens can also share their views on issues with lawmakers by calling the General Assembly’s toll-free message line at 1-800-372-7181.
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