Bills on the Move

Kentucky lawmakers moved several bills further along in the legislative process this week. These bills include a range of topics:

Pregnant workers:  SB 18 clarifies employers' responsibilities to provide "reasonable accommodations" for pregnant employees. It would apply to businesses of 15 employees or more. The bill passed the Senate 25-7 and awaits the House.

Sales tax exemption:  Admission fees charged by nonprofit civic, governmental and all other nonprofit organizations would be exempt from state sales tax if HB 354 becomes law. The bill passed the House 96-4, and goes to the Senate for consideration.

Foster children: Children in out-of-home care would have their own statutory “bill of rights” under HB 158 that cleared the Kentucky House 99-0. The rights include adequate food, clothing, and shelter, as well as a safe, secure and stable family. The bill has been delivered to the Senate. 

Felony expungement: Legislation to allow expungement of low-level felonies advanced out of the Senate Judiciary Committee. SB 57 would allow discretionary expungement of additional Class D felonies not involving sex abuse, breach of public office or crimes against children. The bill now goes to the Senate chamber.

Sex crime victims: SB 97 would make it possible for sexual assault victims to check online for the progress of forensic testing in their cases. The bill passed the Senate 35-0, and now goes to the House for consideration.

Sports wagering: A House committee approved HB 175 that would legalize and regulate sports wagering, fantasy sports contests and online poker. It would allow licensed wagering on sanctioned professional and college sporting events at Kentucky horse tracks, Kentucky Speedway, or through an app downloaded at one of those locations. The bill now goes to the House chamber.

Golden alerts: A House committee approved HB 150 to change how the state issues Golden Alerts when an impaired person is missing. It would be up to the Kentucky State Police to initiate a Golden Alert under the bill if the agency decides an alert is necessary for the safety of someone with a physical, mental or cognitive impairment. The bill now goes to the House for consideration. 

If you would like to weigh in on the issues under consideration, share your thoughts with Kentucky lawmakers by calling the General Assembly’s toll-free message line at 1-800-372-7181.