Week 5 of the 2022 Legislative Session
The fifth week of the 2022 legislative session concluded with inclement weather moving into the commonwealth on Thursday and Friday. It is my hope that you and your loved ones were not adversely impacted and remained safe and warm.
The Senate has officially begun the thorough process of reviewing the Governor’s and State House of Representatives’ budget proposals. I will keep you informed in the weeks ahead on significant budget developments from the Senate. Know that we are combing through both documents to develop one that is fiscally sound and takes care of Kentucky residents across the commonwealth.
While I did not have any sponsored bills come to the floor, I did have one pass through the State and Local Government Committee.
Senate Bill 106 Creates a new Section of KRS Chapter 81, which will allow for the dissolution of cities that are no longer a functioning entity. Currently, the Commonwealth has over a dozen cities that are no longer in place, but yet they are still on the books. In some situations, Insurance companies are still collecting payment for policies that are now obsolete. Senate Bill 106 will allow Department of Local Government to dissolve nonfunctioning cities and shift resources to the county.
Some other notable legislation from this past week include:
Senate Bill 8 is one of the most consequential bills passed during the 2022 Regular Session. It was initially filed during Child Advocacy Week, was discussed in committee, and then made its way to the Senate floor this past week.
Unfortunately, Kentucky for the last three years has led the nation in rates of child abuse and neglect. As a parent, this hurts me on a deeply personal level.
This bill expands the opportunity for family preservation services in order to keep children safe and families united and provides additional resources and support for Kentucky’s child advocacy centers. It expands the scope and membership of the Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Prevention Board to include all forms of child abuse and neglect. One of the most important facets of the bill is that it specifically distinguishes the difference between poverty and neglect. Lastly, it updates the Foster Youth Bill of Rights by enabling those aging out of foster care to maintain access to resources while transitioning into adult life.
Senate Bill 23 updates Kentucky’s mail theft statute, which currently only covers mail packages delivered by the United States Postal Service. If enacted, the bill will put packages delivered by common carriers, such as UPS and FedEx, under that same legal umbrella, making ‘porch pirates’ susceptible to greater criminal charges. I know this issue has frustrated many residents across the commonwealth, and this bill aims to hold individuals more accountable.
Senate Bill 66, also known as ‘Nathan’s Law,’ takes the necessary steps to give greater consideration to the grieving process of families by implementing requirements on how the news of a loved one’s death must be delivered. It requires coroners and deputy coroners, within three years of assuming office, to complete a minimum four-hour course that includes instruction of the grieving process and best practices for providing death notice to a spouse or next of kin. The bill also stipulates that news of the death must be delivered verbally and respectfully and requires a follow up with the family member within 48 hours. Additionally, the bill would require emergency responders to be on standby.
As a Christian, I believe in redemption. Far too often in our society we demonize individuals for past mistakes made in a moment of weakness. Individuals who have turned their lives around should be given the opportunity for a second chance.
SB 33 continues Kentucky’s efforts to address workforce needs by allowing people convicted of misdemeanors and have paid their debt to society to re-enter the job market. The primary focus of the bill is to clarify when a misdemeanor offense may qualify for expungement. Existing law does not allow for expungement of a crime that qualifies for additional penalties on an indefinite basis. Currently, a person convicted of a misdemeanor, violation, or a series of convictions arising from a single incident can petition the court for expungement of their record. Sex crimes, child-related offenses, and violent crimes do not qualify for expungement.
As always, I am here in Frankfort fighting for our conservative west Kentucky values. Please do not hesitate to reach out with a any questions or comments about these issues or any other public policy issue, please contact me toll-free at 1-800-372-7181 or email me at Robby.Mills@lrc.ky.gov, You can also review the Legislature’s work online at www.legislature.ky.gov.
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Note: Senator Robby Mills (R-Henderson) represents the 4th District, which includes Henderson, Hopkins, Union, and Webster counties. Senator Mills serves as the chair of the Senate Standing Committee on State and Local Government. He also serves as a member of the Senate Standing Committees on Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection; Economic Development, Tourism, and Labor; and is a liaison member on the Budget Review Subcommittee on General Government, Finance, and Public Protection. Additionally, Senator Mills serves as a member of the Public Pension Oversight Board.
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