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Republican files bill to protect in vitro fertilization in Kentucky?
FRANKFORT — Republican Sen. Whitney Westerfield, a staunch opponent of abortion, filed a bill Wednesday aimed at protecting access to in vitro fertilization in Kentucky. Senate Bill 373, which is not yet online, says any facility or “procedure related to in vitro fertilization shall not be liable” for damages “to a patient or patient’s surviving […]
Physicians bring message to Frankfort: Abortion bans forcing us to violate our oath to do no harm
FRANKFORT — Saying that abortion bans handicap their ability to provide comprehensive care, nearly 300 Kentucky health care providers and medical students have signed a letter asking lawmakers to restore abortion access in the state.? While unveiling the letter Wednesday, Louisville’s Dr. Marjorie Fitzgerald said abortion bans in Kentucky cause “devastating consequences” for patients.? “We […]
Louisville Democrat files bill to protect assisted reproduction, IVF in Kentucky
FRANKFORT — A Louisville Democrat filed a bill Tuesday aimed at “safeguarding” access to in vitro fertilization in Kentucky. Senate Bill 301, sponsored by Sen. Cassie Chambers Armstrong, D-Louisville, would protect from criminal liability medical providers who “engaged in assisted reproduction who meet the professional standard of care,” according to a copy provided to the […]
Kentuckians could collect child support for months of pregnancy under advancing bill
FRANKFORT — A bill paving the way for Kentuckians to collect child support for fetuses as long as there is an order in place within a year of a child’s birth passed unanimously out of a Senate committee Tuesday.? Senate Bill 110 would not apply if a child support order was filed when a child […]
Kentucky child care ‘Horizons Act’ passes Senate committee
FRANKFORT — The Horizons Act, which proposes supporting child care in Kentucky with $300 million in state funding over the next two years, sailed out of a Senate committee Tuesday morning 9-1 after about half an hour of discussion.? The lone “no” vote was Sen. Lindsey Tichenor, R-Smithfield, who said she worries the bill’s focus […]
UofL Health wants to build new cancer center, needs $25 million from Kentucky General Assembly??
LOUISVILLE — One morning in 2019, Margie Baylis awoke to her right breast swollen up into her shoulder.? The Owensboro photographer then got some shocking news: she had lung cancer at age 45.? The first in her family to be diagnosed with cancer, Baylis, now 50, needed to come to Louisville for care at UofL […]
GOP lawmaker files bill to add rape, incest exceptions to Kentucky abortion ban?
Citing his affection for his daughters, a Louisville Republican has filed a bill that would expand exceptions to Kentucky’s abortion ban, including for rape and incest. Rep. Ken Fleming’s House Bill 711 would leave it up to the physician to determine if rape or incest had occurred, allowing an abortion “if, in the physician’s best […]
House committee advances child care bill that could free up zoning issues
A bill that encourages local governments to examine available zoning for child care centers in Kentucky passed out of a House committee Thursday 12-2 with one pass.? House Bill 561 sponsor Rep. Samara Heavrin, R-Leitchfield, said her bill encourages local officials to “??make sure there’s not any regulation preventing childcare centers from opening in their […]
Kentucky House advances SNAP bill some worry will cause food insecurity
After an hour-long debate on the Kentucky House floor, lawmakers advanced a bill that is aimed at upping workforce participation but which some worry will cause food insecurity.? House Bill 367 would give the General Assembly power over decisions about work requirements for Kentucky’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, better known as SNAP.? It passed 61-33 […]
Celebrity rescue Ethan supports bill to make animal torture a felony in Kentucky?
FRANKFORT — In early 2021, Ethan the dog became a Louisville and Kentucky celebrity as the city rallied behind his recovery from horrific neglect. Ethan’s human, Jeff Callaway, told lawmakers Wednesday that after being sold as a puppy, he was traded for drugs and endured a “hellish” chapter of his life that ultimately led to […]
Religious liberty bill worries LGBTQ advocates who say it targets fairness ordinances
FRANKFORT — A bill backers say is meant to strengthen religious freedom in Kentucky but which opponents say will weaken fairness ordinances in the state passed out of a House committee Wednesday despite bipartisan concerns.? After an hour of debate, the House Judiciary Committee approved the measure 14-6.? Rep. Stephanie Dietz, R-Edgewood, joined Democrats in […]
Lawmakers pitched on economic, educational value of increasing state support for child care
FRANKFORT — Kathy Donelan doesn’t like the options facing her Northern Kentucky child care and preschool center if the state doesn’t put money into the child care industry this session.? “I could close,” Donelan told members of the Senate Families and Children Committee Tuesday as she testified in support of the Horizons Act, a $300 […]