By Melissa Patrick Published
Several health-related bills are on the move, and a news release from the Legislative Research Commission summed some of them up following the third week of the 2026 legislative session. They are:
Firefighter Death Benefits – House Bill 34, sponsored by Rep. Kim Banta, R- Ft. Mitchell, would expand the list of cancers that are recognized as occupational risks for firefighters and, as a result, covered under line-of-duty death benefits. The measure cleared the House Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Protection Committee on Jan. 20 and is posted on the House Regular Orders of the Day.
Accessibility Ramps for Veterans – HB 214, sponsored by Rep. Bill Wesley, R- Ravenna, would create a program to help veterans with disabilities purchase accessibility ramps for their residences. The House Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Protection Committee advanced the legislation on Tuesday, Jan. 20. It now resides in the House.
Distracted Driving – Senate Bill 28, sponsored by Sen. Jimmy Higdon, R-Lebanon, seeks to curb distracted driving by limiting the use of hand-held mobile devices behind the wheel with some exceptions for navigation devices, certain types of radios and emergencies. The measure cleared the Senate on Jan. 20 on a 31-7 vote and now resides in the House.
Food is Medicine Initiatives – Senate Joint Resolution 23, sponsored by Sen. Shelley Funke Frommeyer, R-Alexandria, declares Kentucky as a “Food is Medicine” state and directs state agencies to advance Food is Medicine initiatives. The Senate Health Services Committee passed the measure on Jan. 21. It has had two readings and resides in the Senate Rules Committee.
Dyslexia and Dysgraphia – HB 389, sponsored by Rep. Samara Heavrin, R- Leitchfield, calls on the Kentucky Department of Education to annually update its guidance and evidence-based strategies for identifying and supporting students with both dyslexia and dysgraphia. The House Primary and Secondary Education Committee voted in favor of the bill on Jan. 21 and is posted for passage in the House Regular Orders of the Day.
Health Insurance – HB 176, sponsored by Rep. Kim Moser, R-Taylor Mill, seeks to streamline the prior authorization process for health insurance claims by creating exceptions for certain health care providers. The bill passed out of the House on Jan. 21 on an 89-1 vote and now resides in the Senate. Majority Floor Leader Rep. Steven Rudy cast the only no vote.
Mental Health Care – HB 178, also sponsored by Moser, aims to support the psychiatric collaborative care model, allowing primary care providers, care managers and consulting psychiatrists to work together on a patient’s mental health care. HB 178 passed out of the House on Jan. 21 on a 93-0 vote and now resides in the Senate.
Medicaid Delivery Model – Senate Concurrent Resolution 9 calls for a study of accountable care models used for Medicaid programs in other states. The study would also look at opportunities to implement such a model in Kentucky through a pilot program. The effort is seeking to control costs and improve health outcomes. The Senate passed the bill 37-0 on Jan. 21. It now resides in the House.
Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners – HB 134, sponsored by Rep. Rebecca Raymer, R-Morgantown, aims to expand the availability of sexual assault nurse examiners across Kentucky. It calls for a statewide coordinator to recruit nurses, facilitate training and improve collaboration between hospitals, law enforcement and rape crisis centers. The bill received approval from the House Health Services Committee on Thursday, Jan. 22. It is posted for passage for passage in the House Regular Orders of the Day. Click here to read more about this bill in the Kentucky Lantern.
Some other health-related bills on the move are:
Medicaid reimbursement for pharmacists – SB 38, sponsored by Sen. Craig Richardson, R-Hopkinsville, would let Kentucky pharmacists get Medicaid reimbursement for routine services like flu test and medication therapy management. The bill passed out of the Senate 37-0 on Jan. 21 and now resides in the House. Click here to read more about this bill in the Lantern.
Behavioral Health Conditional Dismissal Program pilot – SB 90, sponsored by Sen. Brandon Storm, R-London, would extend this pilot project until Jan. 1, 2031. The pilot program began in 2023. It provides an alternative to incarceration by allowing eligible defendants to receive treatment for substance use and/or behavioral health disorders. The bill passed out of the Senate 37-0 and now resides in the House.
Kentucky Board of Nursing and school medications – HB 280, also sponsored by Moser, would allow the KBN to investigate nurse licenses from other states and require that all nurses who have out-of-state licenses and practice in Kentucky meet the same requirements of all other Kentucky nurses. It also updates prescribed rescue medication rules in school, including bronchodilator rescue inhalers, nebulizers, glucagon, Solu-Cortef and epinephrine. HB 280 passed out of the House with a committee substitute to make technical corrections on Jan. 21 on a 94-0 vote and now resides in the Senate.
