Transcript Highlights:

• Being here today, um, I would like to go ahead and call the seventh meeting of the House Standing Committee
• But as far as going forward, it can't be any more than what the current medical loss ratio calls for.
• the current uh medical loss ratio calls the current uh medical loss ratio calls for.<00:17:36.880
• Well, you know, I've called this project 20 by 30. I saw that.
• <00:21:24.720> this<00:21:24.960> project >> Well, you know, I've called this

Keywords: 00:00 - Call to Order/Roll Call 01:38 - Discussion of 26RS SCR 9 22:00 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS SCR 9 23:15 - Discussion of 26RS SJR 23 33:20 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS SJR 23 35:18 - Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Health Services met with a quorum and first heard Senate Concurrent Resolution 9 from Sen. Steve Meredith. He argued that Kentucky’s Medicaid system is too costly and bureaucratic, saying spending has grown dramatically and that managed care organizations do not align with improving health outcomes. His proposal would create a feasibility study for a five-year pilot of an “accountable community healthcare organization” in three area development districts, with a locally owned, nonprofit, provider-driven model intended to reduce costs, address social determinants of health, and keep savings in the community. Members asked about how the model would differ from MCOs, administrative costs, eligibility changes, and implementation costs; Meredith said the model would eliminate preauthorization barriers, rely on provider and community risk-sharing, and could be funded initially through existing grant opportunities. The committee then voted unanimously to report SCR 9 favorably. The committee next took up Senate Joint Resolution 23, the “Food is Medicine” resolution, introduced by Sen. Shelley Funke Frommeyer and Dana Feldman of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture. They described the resolution as part of a broader wellness and rural prosperity effort, emphasizing that nutrition should be treated as part of health care and that Kentucky agriculture can support better health outcomes through local, healthy food. They said the effort grew out of task force work and regional listening sessions and is intended to build a foundation for continued collaboration between hospitals, agriculture, and state agencies. Members expressed support for the concept and the partnership approach, and the discussion highlighted using evaluation and shared learning to expand the initiative.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Um, DJ, please call the roll. >> Representative Bojanowski?
• have a motion from Representative Pollock and a second from Representative Callaway. >> DJ, please call
• All right, DJ, please call the roll. >> Representative Bojanowski, yes. >> Representative Callaway, yes

Keywords: 00:00 - Call to Order/Roll Call 01:26 - Discussion of 26RS HB 6 17:45 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 6 20:20 - Discussion of 26RS HJR 50 22:30 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HJR 50 23:19 - Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 6, as amended by a committee substitute, which was described as a broad child care reform package developed through a multi-stakeholder collaborative. The substitute added a two-year pilot program for off-base child care at Fort Campbell and Fort Knox, beginning July 1, 2026, and making the bill an emergency measure for that purpose. Sponsors said the bill focuses on long-term reforms to affordability, quality, and access, including modernization of the All Stars quality rating system, creation of micro centers, support for children with special needs, child care data and transparency measures, CCAP improvements, and changes to the employee child care assistance partnership (ECAP). Testimony explained that micro centers are intended to fill gaps such as rural, third-shift, drop-in, and partnership-based care, would initially be limited to 10 statewide with no more than two per county, and could serve 4 to 24 children under a more flexible regulatory framework. Members also discussed whether family child care homes like the “Miss Barbara” model fit the bill; sponsors said they are not micro centers, but the bill includes other provisions to support family child care homes. Questions also focused on ECAP, which was described as a tri-share model in which employers contribute, the state matches for eligible employees, and the employee pays the remainder; sponsors said the bill privatizes ECAP first before considering expansion to teachers or public employees. House Bill 6 passed favorably by a vote of 12-0-1, and the title amendment passed. The committee then took up House Joint Resolution 50, also sponsored by Representative Heavrin. The resolution asks the Kentucky Auditor’s office to study the administrative regulations, statutes, agency policies, and processes affecting the opening and operation of licensed and certified child care services, with particular attention to the All Stars program. The sponsor said the goal is to identify opportunities for change through a thorough third-party review, noting that the All Stars system has been in place for about 10 years and that many child care rules are tied to federal funding and cannot be changed quickly. The resolution passed unanimously by a vote of 13-0. The meeting concluded with notice of the next committee meeting and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• I hereby call this meeting to order.
• And so, now that we have a motion and a second on the bill, I will call roll call.
• DJ, please call the role.
• the call roll call.
• DJ, please call the call roll call. DJ, please call the role. role. role.

Keywords: 00:00 - Call to Order/Roll Call 01:13 - Discussion of 26RS HB 109 26:47 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 109 32:30 - Discussion of 26RS HB 190 36:15 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 190 37:30 - Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The House Families and Children Committee met in the 2026 regular session and heard House Bill 109, which would amend Kentucky divorce law to waive the current 60-day waiting period for couples with minor children when the parties have already completed mediation or collaborative family law and are ready to finalize their decree. The bill sponsor, Representative Deetsz, argued the measure would reward families who have already done the work to resolve custody, parenting time, and property issues outside of court, and said it would not affect traditional litigation cases. She also explained that delays can be especially burdensome when retirement-account division requires a QDRO after the decree. Committee members discussed how long collaborative cases typically take, with the sponsor estimating about six months on average and longer in complex cases, and noted that some judges already require parenting classes or allow reconciliation conferences in certain circuits. David Walls of the Family Foundation testified in opposition, saying the bill would make divorce easier for parents with children and move Kentucky in the wrong direction. He argued waiting periods can encourage reconciliation, protect marriage commitments, and reduce harms to children and public costs associated with family fragmentation. He urged lawmakers to preserve or even lengthen the waiting period rather than eliminate it, and framed the issue as protecting children and strengthening marriage. During questions, Representative Bojanowski strongly objected to Mr. Walls’ characterization of divorce, saying her own divorce was necessary for her children’s well-being and that the bill simply shortens the process after mediation. Representative Elliott asked about typical timelines in collaborative cases and noted that some courts require parental education. Representative Moser asked whether counseling is required; the sponsor said it is not, though reconciliation conferences may be requested at a judge’s discretion. The transcript ends after discussion of the bill and before any recorded vote or final committee action.

Transcript Highlights:

• DJ, please call the roll. >> Representative Bratcher, yes.
• DJ,<00:29:06.799> please<00:29:06.960> call<00:29:07.039> the<00:29:07.279> role
• DJ, please call the role. DJ, please call the role.

Keywords: 00:00 - Call to Order/Roll Call 01:27 - Discussion of 26RS HB 470 29:05 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 470 32:06 - Discussion of 26RS HJR 25 34:49 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HJR 25 37:08 - Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Health Services met with a quorum and took up House Bill 470, which was presented as a cleanup and delay measure related to peer support specialists and Medicaid reimbursement. The bill would extend the deadline for registered alcohol and drug peer support specialists to be Medicaid reimbursable, address issues created by delayed regulations under House Bill 505, remove a limit on direct client care hours, and create a work group to examine oversight and possible future board structure for peer professionals. The committee adopted a committee substitute before hearing testimony. Bill sponsor Rep. Kim Moser and supporting witnesses said the change was needed because implementation problems and regulatory backlogs had created a peer support workforce shortage and confusion across multiple peer categories, including substance use, mental health, re-entry, and gambling peers. Elena Swezy argued the bill would stabilize the workforce, improve oversight, and allow time to develop a more effective credentialing framework. Frank Miller Jr. testified in opposition, arguing the bill lacked a proper enabling statute for Medicaid-related changes and would not be enforceable as written. Sarah Vaughn also raised concerns about the bill’s impact on mental health peer specialists, multispecialty behavioral health groups, and whether separate regulations would be needed for mental health and substance use services. Committee members questioned the bill’s structure, fiscal impact, training costs, and whether the work group would be appointed or informal. Sponsors responded that the bill does not require providers to hire anyone, only sets registration requirements if they do hire substance-use peer specialists, and said the work group was intended to help develop a more unified oversight model. Several members expressed concern about the complexity of the issue and the short testimony time, while others supported the bill as a way to improve oversight and reduce fraud risk. The committee approved House Bill 470 as amended by the committee substitute, and then adopted a title amendment; the bill passed with favorable expression.

Keywords: KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OygBW__tK7U, 2026-06-21T07:17:03+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, Meeting Start: 00:00 Roll Call: 00:39 HB 380 Discussion: 01:50 HB 380 Roll Call Vote: 04:44 HB 385 Discussion: 05:51 HB 385 Roll Call Vote: 07:48 HB 393 Discussion: 08:51 HB 393 Roll Call Vote: 12:18 HB 419 Discussion: 13:28 HB 419 Roll Call Vote: 18:03 Hb 507 Discussion: 19:15 HB 507 Roll Call Vote: 25:08 HB 522 Discussion: 26:55 HB 522 Roll Call Vote: 28:33 HCR 72 Discussion: 29:35 HCR 72 Roll Call Vote: 30:16, 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Keywords: KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPGAzxQ046k, 2026-06-21T07:17:03+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, Meeting Start: 00:00 Roll Call: 00:04 SB 241 Discussion: 1:02 SB 241 Roll Call Vote: 03:16 SB 75 Discussion: 04:31 SB 75 Roll Call Vote: 16:44 SB 123 Discussion: 18:27 SB 123 Roll Call Vote: 20:15 SJR 83 Discussion: 21:43 SJR 83 Roll Call Vote: 23:04 SB 206 Discussion: 24:29 SB 206 Roll Call Vote: 25:44 SB 141 Discussion: 26:54 SB 141 Roll Call Vote: 29:34 SB 190 Discussion: 30:56 SB 190 Roll Call Vote: 34:58, 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Keywords: KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1w3XTer1X0, 2026-06-21T07:17:00+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, Meeting Start: 00:00 Roll Call: 00:24 SB 42 Discussion: 01:39 SB 42 Roll Call Vote: 14:21 HB 765 Discussion: 16:20 HB 765 Roll Call Vote: 17:56 HB 719 Discussion: 19:38 HB 719 Roll Call Vote: 20:39 HCR 126 Discussion: 21:45 HCR 126 Roll Call Vote: 35:11 SB 111 Discussion: 36:50 SB 111 Roll Call Vote: 41:07 SB 112 Discussion: 42:19 SB 112 Roll Call Vote: 43:38 SB 152 Discussion: 44:31 SB 152 Roll Call Vote: 45:57, 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Keywords: KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWfPh-lRRQE, 2026-06-21T07:17:00+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, Meeting Start: 00:00 Roll Call: 00:35 HB 192 Discussion: 01:47 HB 192 Roll Call Vote: 05:01 HB 249 Discussion: 06:02 HB 249 Roll Call Vote: 16:29 HB 251 Discussion: 19:09 HB 251 Roll Call Vote: 20:14 HB 175 Discussion: 21:20 HB 175 Roll Call Vote: 23:23 HB 77 Discussion: 24:21 HB 77 Roll Call Vote: 30:11 HB 65 Discussion: 31:32 HB 65 Roll Call Vote: 34:52 HB 95 Discussion: 35:50 HB 95 Roll Call Vote: 37:51, 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Transcript Highlights:

• Let me go ahead and have us call the roll. Representative Bray, present.
• 00:09:49.720> it's<00:09:49.880> an<00:09:50.320> anatomized<00:09:51.320> call
• anatomized yeah it's an anatomized call anatomized yeah it's an anatomized call and<00:09:53.279
• DJ, please call the roll.

Keywords: 00:25 Call to Order/Roll Call 01:36 Discussion of 25RS SB 153 23:11 Roll Call Vote on 25RS SB 153 30:56 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Health Services met on March 14, 2025, and took up a committee substitute for Senate Bill 153. The substitute deleted the original bill language and replaced it with provisions from Senate Bill 14, aimed at prohibiting pharmaceutical manufacturers from discriminating against 340B covered entities and adding reporting requirements for those entities. The sponsor explained that the protections would sunset after one year, allowing lawmakers to review data by July 1, 2026, and that Kentucky would continue to follow any future federal changes to the 340B program. Members asked several questions about the scope of the reporting, including what “total operating cost” means, how duplicate discounts are prevented, whether the reporting applies only to hospitals and not federally qualified health centers, and who would receive the data. The sponsor said the reporting is intended to help the Cabinet for Health and Family Services and the Office of Health Data Analytics at LRC assess how the program is working, including charity care and community benefits, while preserving protections for rural hospitals and allowing them to continue using contract pharmacies. A representative from LRC confirmed the data would come to the General Assembly through the Office of Health Data Analytics. The committee expressed mixed views about the balance between transparency and potential burdens on hospitals, especially rural facilities. Several members said they were supportive but had reservations about the reporting requirements and the sunset structure, while others noted concerns about unintended consequences and the possibility of changes on the House floor. The committee ultimately adopted the committee substitute, approved a title amendment, and reported Senate Bill 153 with House Committee Substitute 2 favorably. The meeting then adjourned.

Keywords: 00:00 - Call to Order/Roll Call 01:45 - Discussion of 26RS SB 173 15:44 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS SB 173 17:23 - Review of Referred Admin Regs 17:53 - Discussion of 26RS SB 18 19:05 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS SB 18 20:06 - Discussion of 26RS HB 583 42:06 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 583 43:16 - Discussion of 26RS HCR 103 45:56 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HCR 103 47:14 - Discussion of 26RS HCR 113 54:06 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HCR 113 55:20 - Adjournment, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• "Gray, uh, she did call and sing happy birthday to me Sunday, but she called me a monkey, too.
• So, I'm calling her out.
• So, I'm calling her out. her back. So, I'm calling her out.
• the clerk to call the roll. the clerk to call the roll.
• clerk to call the roll. clerk to call the roll.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Attendance Roll Call 02:25 SB 100 Discussion 02:59 SB 100 Roll Call Vote 31:10 SJR 134 Discussion 32:41 SJR 134 Roll Call Vote 33:43 SB 222 Discussion 34:43 SB 222 Roll Call Vote 39:55, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• clerk to call the row, please. clerk to call the row, please.
• Uh this beer this I'll call it was told.
• <00:18:59.840> the processor fixes it, and then calls the processor fixes it, and then calls
• If there are no further questions, uh, ask the clerk to call the roll.
• If there are no further questions, uh, ask the clerk to call the roll.

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00 Attendance Roll Call: 00:15 HB 658 Discussion: 03:40 HB 658 Roll Call Vote: 04:50 HB 142 Discussion: 06:30 HB 142 Roll Call Vote: 22:45 HB 571 Discussion: 24:25 HB 571 Roll Call Vote: 29:10, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 658, which would require the Transportation Cabinet to adopt regulations extending the allowable period for a restricted CDL license from 180 to 210 days within a 12-month period for agriculture businesses. Rep. Felicia Rabourn presented the bill with support from Todd Griffin of the Kentucky Retail Federation and Agra Business Association. The committee quickly moved to a vote, and the bill passed with favorable expression. Members indicated it would move forward similarly on the House floor. The committee then considered House Bill 142, a deer-management bill sponsored by Rep. Pollock and amended by committee substitute. Pollock said the bill is intended to help farmers and landowners more quickly obtain destruction tags and address overpopulated deer, especially does, after describing crop losses, vehicle collisions, and deer carcasses seen along roadways. Members from farming districts strongly supported the measure, saying deer damage is costly and widespread and that the bill would reduce paperwork by allowing landowners to obtain tags without having to route everything through each landlord. Questions focused on how Fish and Wildlife would determine overpopulated zones and how the damage-verification process would work; Pollock said the department retains discretion and must inspect damage within 15 days. The committee adopted the sub and passed the bill with favorable expression. Finally, Rep. Kim Holloway presented House Bill 571, which would require Transportation Cabinet light fixtures to be fully shielded to reduce light pollution affecting agriculture. She said light trespass can disrupt crop photoperiodism, pollination, and yields, and noted the economic importance of Kentucky agriculture. Members asked whether the bill applies only to Transportation Cabinet lights and how complaints would be handled; Holloway said it applies to state transportation lights and includes a process for landowners to request shielding, with a 30-day compliance period and a construction/maintenance exemption of up to 180 days. The committee approved the committee substitute and continued discussion of the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• The meeting was called to order, please.
• <00:15:04.880> Um,<00:15:05.519> that's level block sunlight.
• Um, that's level block sunlight.
• So with that, I ask the clerk to call the roll, please. So, it's true.
• clerk to call the role, please. clerk to call the role, please.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Attendance Roll Call 01:05 HB 313 Discussion 02:16 HB 313 Roll Call Vote 04:33 HB 60 Discussion 05:30 HB 60 Roll Call Vote 20:12 HB 397 Discussion 21:18 HB 397 Roll Call Vote 31:35, 958, all

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 313, which would shorten the required notice a city must give a utility provider before a contract expires from 18 months to 6 months. The sponsor and Kentucky League of Cities representative said the change would better reflect current market conditions and reduce the risk of leaving either cities or providers in a bad financial position. The bill passed unanimously and was reported favorably. The committee then considered House Bill 60, the geoengineering ban. A committee substitute was adopted to add exemptions for ground-level agricultural activities and certain energy-related equipment, while keeping the bill’s core prohibition on spraying pollutants into the upper atmosphere to block sunlight or modify weather. Supporters described the bill as a preventive measure against future weather modification experiments, while members asked about enforcement, federal notice provisions, and whether cloud seeding or ordinary jet contrails would be affected. The sponsor said the bill targets high-altitude geoengineering, not normal aircraft exhaust, and that cloud seeding is banned. The bill, as amended, passed with favorable expression. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 397, as amended by House Committee Substitute 2, to protect trophy catfish. The substitute reduced penalties from a felony to a Class A misdemeanor and added $500 restitution per violation. The bill would prohibit transporting live trophy catfish, defined as 35 inches or longer, for commercial purposes except by boat, while exempting personal fishing, tournaments, festival events, and smaller fish. Supporters said the measure would protect a slow-growing natural resource and preserve catfish populations, and a Kentucky Waterways Alliance representative testified in support. Members asked about the Butler County catfish festival, statewide application, and special lower Ohio River licensing provisions; the sponsor said the festival would not be affected and the special licenses would be phased out. The bill passed with favorable expression, with one member passing to seek more information before floor consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Chair called the meeting to order. This is our third meeting of this session.
• I ask the clerk to call the roll.
• The stormwater side is more based upon what we would call a tiered system.
• If not, he called for the question. We have a motion and a second.
• Ask the clerk to call the roll, please.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:04 HB 387 Discussion 01:06 HB 387 Roll Call Vote 28:30 HCR 22 Discussion 29:26 HCR 22 Roll Call Vote 31:09 HB 519 Discussion 35:36 HB 519 Roll Call Vote 38:37, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 387, which would amend MSD governance and spending rules in Louisville. The sponsor said the bill was intended to add oversight and accountability in response to large MSD rate increases, though the original rate-approval provision had been removed because of concerns about contracts and bond ratings in Oldham and Bullitt counties. MSD Executive Director Tony Parrott testified that MSD is a public utility serving more than 800,000 people through wastewater, stormwater, and flood protection services, and argued that most rate pressure comes from federal and state mandates tied to a consent decree and other orders. He said MSD already provides annual notice and bond approvals through Metro Council, offers customer assistance programs, and needs flexibility for advertising, public notices, recruitment, and compliance. Members discussed stormwater funding, aging infrastructure, flood control, and the bill’s limits on advertising and other expenditures. The committee substitute was adopted and the bill passed on a roll call vote. The committee then considered House Concurrent Resolution 22, as substituted, which expressed support for exploring nuclear energy and included language noting Kentucky’s ability to use nuclear waste, uranium tailings, and spent fuel in ways described by the sponsor as cleaner. Supporters said Kentucky faces an energy shortage and that nuclear, including small modular reactors, should be part of the state’s future energy mix. Some members said they would support the resolution but wanted a feasibility study or noted that it does not carry the force of law. The resolution passed. Finally, the committee began House Bill 519, sponsored by Representative Fugate, which would prevent utility companies from passing demolition costs for retired coal-fired or fossil-fuel plants on to ratepayers. The sponsor cited sharply rising electricity bills in eastern Kentucky, the decline in coal employment, and the burden of demolition costs from the Big Sandy plant being placed on customers. He argued that utilities should absorb those costs rather than shifting them to ratepayers. The bill was introduced with a motion and second, and the committee was preparing to hear further questions and testimony when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• are, um, going between Health Services and State Government today, so we're going to go ahead and call

Keywords: 00:00 Call to Order/Roll Call 01:23 Discussion of 25RS HB 219 06:40 Roll Call Vote on 25RS HB 219 07:44 Discussion of 25RS HCR 20 09:36 Roll Call Vote on 25RS HCR 20 10:58 Discussion of 25RS HB 303 17:02 Roll Call Vote on 25RS HB 303 18:38 Consideration of Referred Administrative Regulations 21:46 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Health Services met with a quorum and first considered House Bill 219, sponsored by Representative Rebecca Raymer. The bill requires emergency services to provide mandatory training for emergency medical staff on sexual assault emergency response requirements, with the training developed in collaboration with the Sexual Assault Response Team advisory committee. Testimony from Jenna Cassidy of the Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs and WN Stevens of Children’s Advocacy Centers of Kentucky explained that the training would help emergency department staff properly respond to sexual assault patients, preserve evidence, and connect patients to needed resources; the committee also clarified that the bill is training-focused and not a certification requirement. HB 219 received favorable expression and was reported to the House floor. The committee then heard House Concurrent Resolution 20, also from Representative Raymer, which directs the Legislative Research Commission to study gaps in sexual assault nurse examiner coverage, why those gaps exist, and what hospitals do when no SANE nurse is available. Raymer said the study was intended to gather data for future legislation, and members noted the importance of documenting current practices and supporting efforts to expand SANE coverage. The resolution was adopted with 16 favorable votes and recommended for passage on the House floor. Next, the committee took up House Bill 303, sponsored by Representative Steve Bratcher, which creates a pathway for military medical personnel to translate their training into civilian Kentucky credentials through colleges and universities. The committee substitute broadened participation beyond KCTCS to any Kentucky institution with accredited programs, and Bratcher explained that schools would evaluate military experience, award applicable credit, identify gaps, and still require the relevant licensure exam. Members asked about university participation, credentialing standards, and how prior military radiology training would transfer; Bratcher said the program is voluntary for institutions and works with existing SkillBridge and veterans’ programs. HB 303, as amended by committee substitute, passed unanimously and was recommended for passage. At the end of the meeting, the committee briefly reviewed administrative regulations. Representative Fleming asked about a behavioral regulation that had previously been found sufficient, and staff indicated it had been deferred, later found deficient again in the Senate Health Services Committee, and may be addressed through Senate Bill 65. The chair then allowed members to record additional votes before adjourning and announced the next Health Services meeting would be February 20 at noon in Room 149.

Transcript Highlights:

• The eighth meeting of the House Standing Committee on Health Services is called to order.
• <00:27:16.960> an is taken away from something called an is taken away from something called
• I mean, because if you have a bunch of services all in one particular corner or one particular block,
• Well, roll call.
• Having been called for by two or more members, we will approve the committee substitute by roll call.

Keywords: 00:00:00 - Call to Order/Roll Call 00:01:25 - Discussion of 26RS HB 689 00:15:15 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 689 00:17:02 - Discussion of 26RS HB 407 00:45:40 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 407 00:49:25 - Discussion of 26RS HB 713 00:55:50 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 713 00:56:54 - Discussion of 26RS HB 676 01:06:42 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 676 01:08:43 - Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 689, which would authorize Kentucky to seek federal approval for a Medicaid state-directed payment program for physician and non-physician professional services delivered through qualifying hospital-affiliated groups, beginning in 2026. Rep. Amy Neighbors and witnesses from Owensboro Health and St. Elizabeth Healthcare said the bill would bring in about $29 million in new federal Medicaid dollars without using general fund money, help retain physicians, support rural and underserved access, and tie payments to quality metrics. Witnesses described staffing shortages, rising costs, and the need to sustain services such as OB care, primary care, and preventive outpatient services. After questions about how the funding would work and whether private practices were included, the committee voted on the bill and passed it with favorable expression. The committee then moved to House Bill 407, as substituted, which would streamline Kentucky’s certificate-of-need process. Rep. Marianne Proctor and supporters from the Pacific Legal Foundation and the Institute for Justice said the bill would not repeal CON but would modernize a system they described as outdated and overly restrictive, citing national trends toward reform and arguing that Kentucky’s process has changed little since the 1970s. They said the substitute added language requiring the cabinet to contact a dominant provider when needed for data to make CON determinations. Mark Gilfoil, speaking in opposition for St. Elizabeth Healthcare, argued that CON is not a barrier to care in Northern Kentucky and said the bill would weaken the process by limiting who can request hearings, present evidence, and appeal decisions, effectively giving applicants control and making approvals nearly automatic. He said St. Elizabeth serves as a safety-net hospital for low-income and publicly insured patients and warned the bill could harm that role. Members questioned both sides about the appeal process, the definition of safety-net hospitals, and whether the bill could increase facilities and create waste or abuse. The discussion was still ongoing when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• , so we'll call on you separately to record your votes.
• Call continued: I'm here as a dentist.
• <00:31:52.840> the believe in applying What's called the believe in applying What's called
• um what's used is a product called um what's used is a product called hydrofluosilicic<01:16:05.679
• <01:16:12.719> my reasons that I was prompted to call my reasons that I was prompted to call

Keywords: 00:00:00 Call to Order/Roll Call 00:01:37 Discussion of 25RS HB 392 00:03:10 Roll Call Vote on 25RS HB 392 00:04:20 Discussion of 25RS HB 580 00:13:28 Roll Call Vote on 25RS HB 580 00:14:54 Discussion of 25RS HB 688 00:18:40 Roll Call Vote on 25RS HB 688 00:21:40 Discussion of 25RS HB 16 01:19:44 Roll Call Vote on 25RS HB 16 01:27:32 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 392, sponsored by Representative Proctor, which would help the Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities pay for emergency medical and psychiatric services provided to patients outside state facilities when those facilities cannot meet their needs. Proctor described it as a continuing improvement bill to address payment issues for services delivered at community-based facilities. The bill received no substantive opposition in the meeting and passed the committee with favorable expression by a vote of 15 yes, 0 no, and 1 pass. The committee then considered House Bill 580, presented by Representative Kim Moser and Elena Sweezy, which tightens oversight of peer support specialists. The bill was described as building on House Bill 505 from the prior year by reinstating supervision requirements, adding parameters around group sizes, creating a pathway for temporary peer support specialists to become fully registered after nine months, and addressing Medicaid reimbursement and accountability concerns. Members asked about reimbursement; the sponsor said Medicaid was okay with the bill and that commercial insurance coverage would be up to insurers. Representative Fleming emphasized the need for stronger financial oversight of the peer support code. The committee adopted a substitute and title amendment, then passed the bill with favorable expression. House Bill 688 was then heard, with Representative Bratcher explaining that it addresses two issues: preventing fraud in nurse licensure by giving the Kentucky Board of Nursing more discretion to review out-of-state credentials, and expanding school authority to administer certain emergency medications. He said the bill changes the board’s authority from “shall” to “may” so it can verify transcripts, curricula, accreditation, and exam passage. During discussion, Representative Sharp explained his yes vote by noting the bill also adds rescue medications such as glucagon and Solu-Cortef and allows prescribed emergency medications for known conditions in schools. The committee passed the bill with favorable expression. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 16, which would leave decisions about adding fluoride to drinking water to local governing bodies rather than maintaining a state mandate. Supporters, including Representative David Hale, Dr. Jack Call, and Cindy Batson, argued that fluoridation should be a local choice and raised concerns about cost, potential health risks, and the precautionary principle. Opponents, including Dr. Steve Robertson of the Kentucky Dental Association, defended fluoridation as beneficial for preventing tooth decay and warned that local removal decisions could increase Medicaid costs and may not reflect the broader public interest. The transcript provided does not show a final committee vote on House Bill 16 in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• with a phone call to me in the summer. with a phone call to me in the summer.
• We call it moral injury.
• We call it moral injury.
• We call it moral injury.
• DJ, please call All right, very good. DJ, please call the<00:53:46.280> roll.

Keywords: 00:00:00 Call to Order/Roll Call 00:01:10 Discussion of 25RS HB 414 00:44:26 Roll Call Vote on 25RS HB 414 00:50:25 Discussion of 25RS SB 27 00:53:44 Roll Call Vote on 25RS SB 27 00:55:49 Discussion of 25RS SB 93 00:57:57 Roll Call Vote on 25RS SB 93 00:59:29 Discussion of 25RS SB 132 01:37:39 Roll Call Vote on 25RS SB 132 01:40:55 Discussion of 25RS SB 153 01:42:05 Roll Call Vote on 25RS SB 153 01:43:46 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The Health Services Committee met with a quorum and took up House Bill 414 with a committee substitute. The bill, described by sponsors and supporters as a continuation of prior maternal-health legislation, was framed as a clarification of medical standards and an effort to improve care for women and families facing complicated pregnancies. Representative Tate, Representative Nemes, Adair Wushar of Kentucky Right to Life, and Dr. Jeff Goldberg of ACOG Kentucky all testified in support, saying the substitute was developed collaboratively to reduce confusion in the law and help physicians provide evidence-based care without fear of criminal penalties. Supporters said the committee substitute was intended to define what is not an abortion under Kentucky law and to spell out medical treatments for conditions such as miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy, sepsis, hemorrhage, preeclampsia, premature rupture of membranes, and fetal demise. Dr. Goldberg said current statutes contain significant ambiguity and have created unintended barriers to treating pregnancy complications, including emergency situations, and he gave examples of patients who were delayed or harmed because physicians were uncertain about what the law allowed. Representative Nemes said the measure was the result of unusual cooperation among groups that do not usually agree and described it as a first step toward fixing a discrete problem. Representative Wilner raised concerns that the language could effectively require a patient to be in severe distress before treatment is clearly permitted and that it was too prescriptive about how physicians should manage miscarriages. In response, Dr. Goldberg and the sponsors said the substitute was not perfect, was meant as a short-term solution, and was designed to give doctors more confidence in providing routine, medically necessary care for pregnancy complications. The transcript indicates the committee substitute was adopted, but no final vote on the bill itself is shown in the excerpt.

Keywords: KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkLkZVP6ubs, 2026-06-21T07:17:04+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, Meeting Start: 00:00 Roll Call: 00:01 HB 502 Discussion: 00:40 HB 502 Roll Call Vote: 01:40 HB 349 Discussion: 02:20 HB 349 Roll Call Vote: 05:17 HB 176 Discussion: 05:56 HB 176 Roll Call Vote: 09:23 HB 196 Discussion: 11:25 HB 196 Roll Call Vote: 33:41 HB 200 Discussion: 37:51 HB 200 Roll Call Vote: 46:25 HB 391 Discussion: 48:31 HB 391 Roll Call Vote: 49:56, 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Keywords: KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3pUvupa3mE, 2026-06-21T07:17:01+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, Meeting Start: 00:00 Roll Call: 00:19 HB 248 Discussion: 01:06 HB 248 Roll Call Vote: 02:39 HB 334 Discussion: 04:08 HB 334 Roll Call Vote: 06:46 HB 227 Discussion: 08:21 HB 227 Roll Call Vote: 08:54 HB 668 Discussion: 10:08 HB 668 Roll Call Vote: 15:58 HB 740 Discussion: 17:53 HB 740 Roll Call Vote: 25:41 HB 594 Discussion: 26:55 HB 594 Roll Call Vote: 36:16, 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47