Briefs
Bill qualifying more foster parents for child care benefits advances
FRANKFORT — A Louisville Democrat’s bill aimed at getting more foster care parents in Kentucky passed a House committee, placing it two steps from law.? Senate Bill 240 would allow foster parents in Kentucky to qualify for child care benefits while working outside the home or working remotely in the home. Currently they must work […]
Kentucky Senate includes UofL Health request for $25 million cancer center in budget proposal?
FRANKFORT — In its newly-released budget proposals, the Kentucky Senate has included a $25 million allocation to UofL Health after the Louisville system asked for help in building a rural cancer center in Bullitt County.? Sen. Chris McDaniel presented the Senate’s edits to the House budget Wednesday in the Appropriations and Revenue Committee, which he […]
Kentucky pharmacists could continue vaccinating children under bill advancing from committee
FRANKFORT — A House bill aimed at addressing what the sponsor says is a “public health crisis” when it comes to routine, childhood vaccines, passed a Senate committee Wednesday 9-2.? House Bill 274 would allow Kentucky pharmacies to continue administering vaccines to children ages 5-17 with parental or guardian consent, continuing a COVID-19-era federal permission […]
Bill to get home blood test kits covered by Medicaid clears Senate committee
FRANKFORT — A House bill that would require Kentucky Medicaid to cover at-home blood test kits has passed a Senate committee and faces two more hurdles before becoming law.? House Bill 31 would make life easier for Medicaid patients who take blood thinners for their mechanical heart valves, the Lantern previously reported. Some patients need […]
Kentucky attorney general among those warning Maine not to enact medical shield law
Kentucky’s Russell Coleman is among 16 state attorneys general threatening legal action if Maine enacts a law shielding its medical providers from penalties for providing reproductive and gender-affirming care to residents of other states. The Republican attorneys general assert such a law would be “extraterritorial bullying” and “could also trigger a rapid tit-for-tat escalation that […]
Kentuckians would vote on putting public money into private schools under bill that moved from committee
FRANKFORT — Kentuckians could decide in November to let public money be spent on private schools — although the language put to voters wouldn’t be quite that straightforward — under a bill approved by a House committee Tuesday. The House Committee on Elections, Constitutional Amendments and Intergovernmental Affairs voted 11-4 to send House Bill 2 […]
Kentucky House passes bill that adds loopholes to open records law
FRANKFORT — The House approved a Republican-backed bill that open government advocates have repeatedly warned would add loopholes to Kentucky’s open records laws.? Rep. John Hodgson, R-Fisherville, recently said in the House State Government Committee that House Bill 509 seeks to modernize state open records laws, which were established in the 1970s before widespread use […]
House bill encouraging local governments to meet child care challenges moves to full Senate
FRANKFORT — A Kentucky House bill that encourages local governments to examine available zoning for child care centers received unanimous approval by a Senate committee Tuesday.? House Bill 561 cleared the House in late February. Now that it cleared the Senate Families and Children Committee 9-0, it can go to the Senate floor.? “A lot […]
Kentucky will help pilot ‘innovative’ approaches to helping children, families thrive, thanks to grant from Doris Duke Foundation
Kentucky will share in a $30 million grant seeking to build supports for families who fall through cracks in the child welfare system.? The Doris Duke Foundation is funding the three-year initiative called Opt-in for Families (Opportunities for Prevention and Transformation). Pilot sites will be in Kentucky, South Carolina, Oregon and Washington, D.C. A release […]
House passes bill to make interrupting legislative proceedings a crime in Kentucky
FRANKFORT — A GOP-backed bill that would make interrupting legislative proceedings a crime in Kentucky won House approval Monday.? Members voted 62-31 on House Bill 626, which would add first and second degree offenses to state law. A handful of House Republicans joined Democrats in opposing the bill.? While discussing his bill, Rep. John Blanton, […]
U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa bids for No. 3 GOP leadership post against Tom Cotton
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa will face Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas in the race to become the next Senate Republican Conference chair, her office confirmed Monday. Ernst, if elected, would move up one spot in the Senate GOP leadership lineup and be the first woman to hold the position for the […]
Want to buy a bull bison?
The Kentucky Department of Parks is accepting bids for two bison at Big Bone Lick State Historic Site. The one-year-old bulls are in excellent health. They are being sold in a two separate lots. Bids are being accepted now until March 14. For questions or to make an appointment to see the bison, contact Claire […]