Beech Tree News Network

House introduces priority measures as session resumes

As we wrap up day 8 of the 2023 Regular Session, my colleagues and I have been hard at work crafting sound, responsible policy that covers a range of issues. From reformulated gasoline, to restructuring our local elections, the House alone has over 250 bills in circulation.

I always like to remind constituents that you do not have to travel to Frankfort to keep an eye on the legislature. If you would like to view committee hearings or watch the House deliberate legislation, you can visit our website at legislature.ky.gov. You can also watch both live and recorded meetings on YouTube at KY LRC Committee Meetings or on Kentucky Educational Television at ket.org/legislature.

Here is a look at what we have addressed this week:

Maintaining locker room integrity to protect student athletes: After hearing mixed reports on the protocol for who can use which locker room in our public schools, representatives from several districts across the state worked to file HB 30. HB 30 would mandate that students born male use only those facilities designated to be used by males and students born female to use only those facilities designated to be used by females. This measure also establishes guidelines for schools to provide accommodation for students who are persistent in the idea that their gender is different from what they were born as.

Preserving private property: HB 144 was filed this week, which mandates law enforcement utilize body-worn cameras as well as audio recording devices while they are on private open land. This will prevent any harm to land or property and will enforce transparency in law enforcement.

The impeachment of a commonwealth’s attorney: As you have probably heard by now, there was a petition for impeachment filed against a commonwealth’s attorney from the central-east portion of the state.  The legislature has a duty outlined by sections 66 through 68 of the Kentucky Constitution to maintain the integrity of the offices our elected officials hold; this includes the responsibility of removing bad actors from office.

Juvenile justice reform: HB 3 seeks to address these issues by increasing parental cooperation; allows juveniles accused of violent crimes to be detained for longer periods of time to avoid reprisal or additional crimes; requires evaluation for cognitive behavioral therapy and/or substance abuse treatment programs; increases transparency in juvenile records; and lays the groundwork for reopening a youth detention center in Jefferson County and retrofitting it with safety features and increase the capacity to 40 beds.

Ensuring parent rights in education: While SB 150 is still in the Senate, I am reviewing the bill and preparing for the discussions we will have when it reaches the House. The bill is aimed at strengthening parental engagement with their child’s education. The measure requires that schools notify parents of all health services accessed by their children in school; requires that schools give parents notice and an opportunity to review sex education courses, and allow their children to opt-out. Also, under the provisions of SB 150, neither the Kentucky Board of Education, nor the Kentucky Department of Education can require or recommend a school district to keep information regarding a student confidential.

Celebrating Black history in the commonwealth: Across the nation, February is recognized as Black History month. To celebrate this, we take a moment each day on the House floor to hear an oral history about one of many famous Black Kentuckians who made a difference in the commonwealth. From Garret Morgan to Muhammad Ali, the commonwealth is rich with African American citizens who have made Kentucky a better place.

As always, I can be reached here at home anytime, or through the toll-free message line in Frankfort at 1-800-372-7181. Feel free to contact me via email at [email protected]. If you would like more information, please visit the LRC website www.legislature.ky.gov.