Video & Transcript Research : '00:00 Call to Order 0:30 Roll Call 1:05 HB 904 Discussion 36:20 HB 904 Vote 44:14 Adjournment'

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KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

House Standing Committee on Licensing, Occupations, and Administrative Regulations.(3-11-26)

Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:05:00.280> Uh<00:05:00.400> they<00:05:00.560> came<00:05:00.800> to<
  • > to<00:05:08.840> the<00:05:09.000> LNO<00:05:09.440> Committee<00:05:09.919
  • <00:05:12.640> to<00:05:12.720> do<00:05:13.080> and<00:05:14.080> thank<
  • We're going<00:14:12.400> to<00:14:12.480> bring<00:14:12.640> all<00:14:12.800>
  • /c><00:30:16.440> to<00:30:16.480> the<00:30:16.640> question<00:30:17.160> to
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

Senate Standing Committee on Licensing and Occupations. (3-24-26)

Licensing & Occupations

Transcript Highlights:
  • :30.959> to<00:14:31.040> come<00:14:31.120> up<00:14:31.279> today<00:14
  • > so<00:14:56.800> we<00:14:56.959> want<00:14:57.120> to<00:14:57.199>
  • want to make sure that<00:14:58.000> um<00:14:58.320> we<00:14:58.560> just<00:14
  • Bill<00:20:15.679> 36,<00:20:16.320> which<00:20:16.640> was<00:20:16.880
  • >> I<00:20:19.679> I'd<00:20:19.919> like<00:20:20.000> to<00:20:20.160>
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

House Standing Committee on Families and Children. (3-5-26)

Families & Children

Transcript Highlights:
  • . uh 15 yes votes, zero no expression. uh 15 yes votes, zero no votes,<00:14:00.079> and<00:14
  • <00:14:11.360> way<00:14:11.519> to<00:14:11.680> the<00:14:11.760> table
  • >> Yes.<00:30:03.120> The<00:30:03.360> vote<00:30:03.679> total<00:30:04.000
  • > is<00:30:04.240> 15<00:30:04.559> to<00:30:04.799> zero<00:30:05.600>
  • The vote total is 15 to zero and should<00:30:06.240> pass<00:30:06.480> with<00:30:06.720
Summary: The House Standing Committee on Families and Children met and first adopted a House committee substitute for House Bill 669, which would protect federal benefits belonging to children in out-of-home care. The sponsor explained the bill is intended to prevent the state from using a child’s Social Security survivor, disability, or death benefits to offset care costs, instead requiring those funds to be preserved in an account for the child and made available at certain milestones or when the child leaves care. Members asked about who would oversee the funds, how annual eligibility reviews would work, and when the child could access the money; the sponsor said the cabinet would set the review process by rule and that the funds would remain available for the child. The committee approved HB 669 15-0 with favorable expression. The committee then considered House Concurrent Resolution 36, as amended by committee substitute, which creates a child welfare and family court reform task force. The substitute changed the reporting structure to send the task force’s report to the interim joint committee on families and children and the judiciary committee, rather than a now-defunct Health and Human Services committee. Supporters said the task force should review child abuse and neglect, foster care, and family court processes, and gather input from experts and people with lived experience. Members discussed whether the work should be divided into separate family court and child welfare task forces, but the resolution moved forward and passed 15-0 with favorable expression. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 686, which would establish a Kentucky Positive Youth Development Commission and a dedicated trust and agency account to support community-based youth programming up to age 25. The sponsor and witnesses said the bill responds to rising youth mental health concerns, self-harm, and suicide, and would coordinate statewide efforts, support evidence-based out-of-school programming, and provide technical assistance to local partners. Testimony emphasized the importance of connectedness, trusted adults, community-based responses, and using settlement funds from social media-related harms to youth to support the trust. Members asked about how the bill compares with other states and how the “dose-response” language relates to adverse and positive childhood experiences. HB 686 also passed 15-0 with favorable expression. The committee announced its next meeting for Thursday, March 12 at 9:00 a.m. and then adjourned.
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

House Standing Committee on Health Services (1-15-26)

Health Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • discussion or roll call on a different vote.
  • discussion or roll call on a different vote.
  • ><00:05:18.080> want<00:05:18.160> to<00:05:18.320> go<00:05:18.400> see<
  • comfortable talking to their<00:05:22.400> family<00:05:22.800> practice<00:05:23.199>
  • DJ was asked to call the roll. The roll call vote followed.
Summary: The Health Services Committee met for the first time in the 2026 session and established a quorum before taking up three measures. House Bill 178, sponsored by Rep. Kim Moser with support from the Kentucky Psychiatric Medical Association, was presented as a budget-neutral collaborative care model to improve access to mental health treatment in primary care settings. Testimony emphasized workforce shortages, long wait times, stigma, and the potential for the model to reduce costs and improve outcomes by having primary care providers work with behavioral health care managers and psychiatric consultants. The bill received a favorable recommendation by roll call vote. The committee then considered House Bill 280, also sponsored by Rep. Moser. The bill and committee amendment were described as cleanup and policy updates affecting Kentucky Board of Nursing licensure standards, including restoring language related to abuse, neglect, and exploitation in the central registry, preserving the board’s ability to investigate out-of-state applicants, and adding an emergency provision. The bill also updated school medication provisions to allow certain prescribed rescue medications, including bronchodilator inhalers, nebulizers, glucagon, Solu-Cortef, and updated epinephrine delivery. The committee adopted the amendment, approved the bill with favorable expression, and then approved a motion to roll the committee amendment into the House committee substitute. Finally, the committee took up House Joint Resolution 24, sponsored by Rep. Ken Fleming, with a committee substitute adopted first. The resolution was explained as a request for the cabinet to withdraw a previously submitted Medicaid-related waiver application so it could be resubmitted under new requirements tied to House Resolution 1. The committee approved the resolution with favorable expression and also adopted a title amendment. The meeting concluded with notice that the next committee meeting would be Thursday, January 22nd at noon.
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

House Standing Committee on Licensing, Occupations, and Administrative Regulations.(2-25-26)

Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations

Transcript Highlights:
  • the cost is for ABC<00:04:59.680> in<00:04:59.919> order<00:05:00.080> to<00:05
  • Look<00:14:15.920> forward<00:14:16.079> to<00:14:16.160> hearing<00:14:16.399><
  • c> it<00:14:16.480> on<00:14:16.639> the<00:14:16.720> House Look forward to
  • > to<00:20:41.840> it?
  • :57.600> to<00:20:57.760> sum<00:20:57.919> it it basically uh the best way to sum
Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first took up Senate Bill 145, which updates Kentucky’s laws governing caterers’ licenses and related ABC regulations. Senator Julie Rocky Adams explained that the bill clarifies where and how licensed caterers may sell and serve alcohol, standardizes food-to-alcohol revenue requirements, and removes administrative barriers. A committee substitute was adopted that also changes a tobacco-related license deadline from January 1, 2026 to July 1, 2026. Members discussed ABC staffing concerns, but the sponsor said those costs had not been specifically addressed. The committee substitute and then the bill as amended both passed unanimously and were sent to the House floor. The committee then considered three interstate compact bills. House Bill 36, the respiratory care compact, was presented as a straightforward compact aimed at helping military families, protecting the public, and improving real-time disciplinary data sharing; a committee substitute correcting immunity language was adopted, and the bill passed unanimously. House Bill 92, the dietitians compact, was described as improving portability of licensure, reducing burdens on licensees and states, supporting military families, and enhancing investigative and disciplinary information sharing; the committee substitute added background checks, and the bill passed unanimously. House Bill 628, the athletic trainer compact, was presented as a new compact with enough states moving forward to meet the threshold for establishment; members noted it had become a Department of Defense priority, and it also passed unanimously after a committee substitute. House Bill 254 was then taken up as a bill to exempt certain temporary emergency housing structures from plumbing code enforcement, based on experience during disaster sheltering when new trailers could not be used quickly because of inspection delays. A committee substitute corrected a drafting issue that had unintentionally affected temporary structures, and the bill passed unanimously. Finally, House Bill 584, which removes a permanent ban on a physician reapplying for DEA prescribing authority after rehabilitation and restoration of their medical license, was debated more extensively. The sponsor said the bill preserves DEA discretion while allowing a second chance after a lengthy rehabilitation process; KMA had not taken a position. Several members explained their votes, and the bill ultimately passed. The committee then recorded votes on the day’s bills and adjourned.
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

House Standing Committee on Licensing, Occupations, and Administrative Regulations.(2-18-26)

Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations

Transcript Highlights:
  • Okay.<00:05:01.360> So,<00:05:01.600> I<00:05:01.840> just<00:05:02.000> want
  • <00:05:02.080> a<00:05:02.400> human<00:05:03.120> to Okay.
  • So, I just want a human to interact<00:05:03.919> with<00:05:04.240> other<00:05:04.560
  • ;> We<00:05:13.840> have<00:05:13.919> a<00:05:14.080> motion<00:05:14.320>
  • /c> Would you like to cast a vote on House Would you like to cast a vote on House [clears throat]<00:
Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 185, sponsored by Representative Callaway, which would help people with criminal records return to work by reducing barriers related to occupational licensing. Callaway said Kentucky has roughly 200 licensed occupations and argued the bill would support both individuals and the workforce. Members noted the bill had already passed the House twice and that there were no substantive changes this year. The bill passed the committee cleanly on a roll call vote. The committee then considered House Bill 455, sponsored by Representative Bant, with a committee substitute adopted before the bill vote. The bill would prohibit therapy and psychological services from using AI to independently provide therapy, diagnose mental illness, make therapeutic recommendations, detect emotions, or otherwise replace human judgment in treatment. Bant said the goal was to ensure a human interacts with people dealing with mental illness, while still allowing AI for administrative tasks such as scheduling, reminders, notes, and other authorized functions. She said the substitute clarified that routine automated uses would remain allowed. Several members asked about the scope of the bill and whether it would affect billing, notes, or appointment systems. Bant said the Kentucky Psychological Association had raised concerns about section 32, but she believed the substitute addressed them. She also cited concerns about AI being used in harmful ways and said similar legislation had passed in Ohio and Illinois. The committee substitute was adopted, and House Bill 455 then passed the committee by roll call vote. The meeting adjourned after members recorded additional votes and attendance.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • plans uh it's<00:05:10.479> oftentimes<00:05:11.479> 50<00:05:11.759> to<00:05:
  • the state and the mcos<00:05:26.319> uh<00:05:26.400> but<00:05:26.520> to<00:05
  • to to ensure<00:05:31.639> that<00:05:31.919> those<00:05:32.880> uh<00:05:33.560
  • > to<00:20:46.000> make they need to apply in in order to make they need to apply in in order
  • > to<00:30:16.840> uh<00:30:17.000> to<00:30:17.519> to<00:30:17.919> implement
Summary: The House Standing Committee on Health Services met with a quorum and took up House Bill 785, as amended by a committee substitute that combined language from HB 785 and HB 787. The bill was described as addressing Medicaid managed care organization (MCO) audits, provider contract notice and amendment procedures, mental health parity compliance, and related transparency requirements. Supporters said the measure would tighten notice to providers, limit repeated contract amendments and rate reductions, require more standardized audit procedures, and add reporting on Medicaid claims, appeals, and grievances. It also includes a provision requiring coverage of at least two evaluation-and-management billable services per physician per recipient per date of service, and a section addressing narcotic/opioid treatment program licensing and reimbursement language. Testimony in support came from Representative Kim Moore, John Inman of BrightView Health, Michelle Sandborne of the Children’s Alliance, and Kelly Cormic of RYSE. They argued that MCOs often use audits and recoupments in ways that are burdensome, opaque, and financially damaging to providers, especially smaller and rural ones. They cited examples of multiple audit requests in short timeframes, large record requests with short deadlines, delayed or absent feedback, and recoupments taken before appeals are resolved. They also said parity laws are not being consistently enforced and that the bill would give the Department of Insurance authority to suspend or revoke an MCO certificate of authority for willful or repeated parity violations. Committee members generally expressed support for provider protections and transparency, while asking for clarification on the narcotic treatment and E/M billing provisions. Tom Stevens of the Kentucky Association of Health Plans testified in opposition, saying the bill is complex to implement and should be handled through the broader Medicaid oversight work of House Bill 9, the MOAB. He said the issues raised were better suited for that bipartisan stakeholder process and noted the committee substitute had not yet been fully reviewed by his group. After discussion, the committee adopted the committee substitute and then moved to a vote on the bill; the roll call began, with several members recorded as voting yes, but the transcript cuts off before the final vote result is shown.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • go ahead and call the meeting to order and DJ, please take the roll.
  • want<00:05:23.600> to<00:05:24.039> yeah<00:05:24.360> sure<00:05:25.360
  • ><00:14:23.160> to<00:14:23.279> take have to go because I know we had to take have to
  • had<00:14:33.560> to<00:14:33.680> say<00:14:34.279> it wanted to see what
  • > want<00:14:53.920> to<00:14:54.040> go<00:14:54.160> to<00:14:54.360>
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.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • ><00:20:28.200> um<00:20:28.679> in<00:20:28.799> order<00:20:29.000> to
  • passed in the past and so um in order to passed in the past and so um in order to make<00:20:29.360><
  • > going<00:20:31.440> to<00:20:31.559> let<00:20:31.760> everybody<00:20:
  • <00:36:00.000> again<00:36:00.200> to<00:36:00.400> go<00:36:00.599> back
  • why we might<00:36:08.880> want<00:36:09.000> to<00:36:09.160> do<00:36:09.359>
Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Licensing and Occupations met on March 12, 2025, after waiting for the Senate to adjourn so the committee could officially convene. The committee first took up House Bill 90, which concerned freestanding birthing centers and related medical language. Testimony from Representative Jason Nemes, Dr. Jeffrey Goldberg of ACOG Kentucky, and a representative from Kentucky Right to Life focused on clarifying what medical procedures are not abortions under Kentucky law, including miscarriage management, ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy, sepsis, hemorrhage, and stillbirth. Supporters said the committee substitute was intended to reduce confusion and barriers to care for physicians and patients, while Senator Armstrong and Senator Berg raised concerns about the late-arriving substitute, terminology, and whether the bill was being accurately described as supported by ACOG. The committee substitute and title amendment were adopted, and House Bill 90 passed with favorable expression. The committee then considered House Bill 398, relating to occupational safety and health. Representative Walker Thomas said the bill would prevent Kentucky from adopting or enforcing regulations stricter than federal OSHA standards, arguing it would create uniformity for businesses operating in multiple states while preserving worker safety. Senator Armstrong questioned what would happen if federal OSHA were eliminated and argued the bill could reduce Kentucky’s ability to address state-specific workplace hazards; Representative Thomas responded that Kentucky is a state-plan state and would retain the ability to act if needed, and that the measure was about administrative regulation rather than legislation. After a committee substitute was adopted, the bill passed 8-1, with Senator Armstrong voting no. House Bill 580, concerning alcohol and drug counselors and peer support specialists, was presented next. Representative Kim Moore and Elena Sweezy explained that the bill would add structure, training, and supervision requirements for peer support specialists, limit group settings to eight patients, shorten temporary peer support status to nine months, and require additional supervision hours so trainees can complete required training. The bill passed with favorable expression, with Senator Nemes voting no. House Bill 87, relating to employment and occupational licensing, followed; Representative Emily Callaway said it would reduce barriers for people with felony records and help “second chance” citizens enter the workforce. Several senators supported the goal but Senator McDaniel noted caution about substance-use billing and oversight, and the bill passed with favorable expression. Finally, House Bill 422, relating to administrative regulations, was described by Representative Derrick Lewis as a streamlining measure that would reduce paperwork and simplify the regulatory process. It also passed with favorable expression, and the committee then adjourned.
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

House Standing Committee on Health Services (1-29-26)

Health Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • meeting called to order.
  • We have a quorum<00:01:20.320> um<00:01:20.560> established<00:01:21.040> to<00:
  • >> Representative<00:05:20.720> Riley.<00:05:21.360> Yes.
  • > a<00:07:32.960> vote?
  • <00:07:33.759> Okay. like to register a vote? Okay. like to register a vote? Okay.
Summary: The House Standing Committee on Health Services met with a quorum and heard three bills. House Bill 393, sponsored by Rep. Rebecca Raymer with testimony from Mackenzie Wallace of the Alzheimer’s Association, would clean up statutes governing the Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders council, add another caregiver seat, and require the council to develop and distribute an early detection/diagnosis toolkit for health care providers. Wallace said the bill mainly resolves duplicative language and conflicting deadlines and aligns the statute with current Office of Dementia Services work. The committee took a motion and second, asked no questions, and passed the bill with favorable expression. House Bill 385, sponsored by Rep. Marianne Proctor, was described as a simple cleanup bill changing a statutory definition from “institution” to “facility.” The committee moved and seconded the bill, asked no questions, and approved it with favorable expression. House Bill 388, sponsored by Rep. Robert Duval, was presented as a cleanup bill for Casper requested by the OIG office and related to prescription drugs; Duval noted it had previously passed the House 90-4. The committee again took a motion and second, had no substantive discussion, and passed the bill with favorable expression, with one member briefly registering a vote after the roll call. At the close of the meeting, the chair noted that consensus had been reached on all three bills in advance and that a lot of work had gone into them. The committee announced its next meeting for February 5 at noon in Annex Room 149 and then adjourned.
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

House Standing Committee on Families and Children. (2-5-26)

Families & Children

Transcript Highlights:
  • Every effort must be made to encourage<00:14:34.880> couples<00:14:35.199> to<00:14:35.440
  • 30<00:20:40.320> to<00:20:40.559> 45<00:20:41.039> days<00:20:41.280> out
  • probably at least 30 to 45 days out. probably at least 30 to 45 days out. commercial<00:20:42.159
  • > so bill is to let that vote go forward so bill is to let that vote go forward so you<00:36:06.880
  • > to amendment passes um with a vote of 14 to amendment passes um with a vote of 14 to zero<00
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.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • If you need to record a vote, you need to, uh, you cannot do so during a discussion of a different roll
  • > opportunity<00:05:11.759> to<00:05:12.000> talk<00:05:12.320> about<00:05:
  • too we<00:14:35.320> need<00:14:35.440> to we need to we need to address<00:14:37.920>
  • :20:19.559> for<00:20:19.799> a<00:20:20.000> child<00:20:20.480> to<00:20
  • :36:05.119> to<00:36:05.920> describe<00:36:06.480> that<00:36:06.680> to
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.
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

House Standing Committee on Health Services (1-22-26)

Health Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • 00:05:04.639> we<00:05:04.800> had<00:05:04.880> to<00:05:05.040> submit<
  • budget that<00:14:54.800> we<00:14:54.959> have<00:14:55.040> to<00:14:55.199>
  • > order<00:20:49.760> to<00:20:50.000> in to implement this um in order to in to
  • implement this um in order to in order<00:20:50.320> to<00:20:50.559> under<00:20:50.880
  • :30:37.200> to<00:30:37.360> go<00:30:37.600> to<00:30:37.919> another<00
Summary: The Health Services Committee met to receive an update from Cabinet for Health and Family Services Secretary Steven Stack on Kentucky’s Rural Health Transformation Grant. He explained that all 50 states applied and were awarded funding, and Kentucky received about $212.9 million over five years, with the first year treated as a nine-month period. He emphasized that the award is a cooperative agreement with CMS, is not Medicaid funding, cannot be used to supplant existing funds, and is limited to the five areas approved in Kentucky’s application. He also said the state must submit a revised budget before major spending begins, and that CMS could claw back money if performance metrics are not met. Secretary Stack outlined the five focus areas: maternal health, mental health, oral health, emergency medical services, and chronic disease prevention/management, especially obesity and diabetes. He described possible approaches such as expanding behavioral health crisis stabilization models like EMPath, using teledentistry and mobile services, strengthening EMS staffing and treat-in-place options, and building healthier nutrition and activity supports. He said the application was developed quickly with broad stakeholder input and that the state plans to work with universities, nonprofits, and other partners through procurement and other formal processes. He also noted the program will be overseen by the public health department, with Commissioner John Langfeld leading the effort. Committee members asked about the grant timeline, the split between formula and competitive funding, the role of certificate of need, and whether new laws or regulations would be needed. Stack said the state believes it can implement the approved projects under current law, though some broader policy issues such as certificate of need were not included because they would be risky to change within the grant timeline. Members also asked how stakeholders can submit ideas; Stack pointed them to the public website and contact email, saying additional partner information will be posted soon. The committee did not take any formal vote or action during this discussion.
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

Senate Standing Committee on Licensing and Occupations. (3-31-26)

Licensing & Occupations

Transcript Highlights:
  • > Bill<00:05:04.080> 904.
  • c><00:05:06.640> not<00:05:06.880> going<00:05:07.120> to<00:05:07.240> call<
  • /c> At this point, I am not going to call At this point, I am not going to call House<00:05:08.040>
  • > Bill<00:05:08.320> 904.
  • Um<00:05:10.080> there<00:05:10.280> are<00:05:10.400> going<00:05:10.760> to
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

House Standing Committee on Licensing, Occupations, and Administrative Regulations.(2-4-26)

Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations

Transcript Highlights:
  • >> Vote.<00:05:16.080> I<00:05:16.240> vote<00:05:16.560> yes.
  • It's necessary<00:14:04.320> for<00:14:04.560> them<00:14:04.720> to<00:14:04.959
  • 00:20:11.440> need<00:20:11.600> to<00:20:11.679> be<00:20:11.760> able<00
  • :20:11.919> to<00:20:12.000> trace<00:20:12.320> back which we need to be able to
  • <00:20:15.679> Clerk,<00:20:16.000> please<00:20:16.160> call<00:20:16.320><
Summary: The Licensing, Occupations, and Administrative Regulations Committee met with a quorum and took up several bills, beginning with House Bill 387. The bill was presented as a measure to ensure veterinarians are not subject to controlled-substance reporting requirements through regulation or other means, while also revising the controlled substance council to remove an emergency medicine physician and an acute care nurse and add two veterinarians. Supporters said the change was needed because veterinary reporting would be overly complicated, especially in rural Kentucky and for large-animal practices. The committee adopted the committee substitute, approved a committee amendment, and passed the bill unanimously, including the title amendment and emergency clause. The committee then heard House Bill 45, which would modernize Kentucky CPA licensure. The sponsor and the State Board of Accountancy said the bill updates outdated rules, supports workforce mobility and remote practice, reduces barriers to interstate commerce, and adds a new licensing option to address time and cost concerns for candidates. The committee passed the bill unanimously. House Bill 48 followed, a long-updated physical therapy practice act revision. Testimony said it would clarify and streamline the statute, add definitions for physical therapist assistants, change certification language to licensure, allow expungement of minor non-patient-harm violations, clarify sexual misconduct language, adjust disciplinary and fee-setting provisions, and ease requirements for some internationally trained practitioners. The committee again passed the bill unanimously. House Bill 212 was next and would allow licensed veterinary technicians, under direct veterinarian supervision, to administer rabies vaccinations to dogs, cats, and ferrets. The sponsor and Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association said the change would help shelters, humane societies, and mass vaccination clinics, improve recordkeeping, and address rising rabies concerns in Kentucky. The committee approved the bill unanimously. Finally, House Bill 49 was presented by Representative Matt Cook and the Board of Licensure for Engineers and Surveyors as a scholarship program funded by $5 from each annual license renewal plus fines and penalties, aimed at encouraging Kentucky students to enter engineering and surveying and remain in the state for six years after graduation/licensure. Members asked about the service commitment and funding source; the sponsor said the program would use existing funds and not raise renewal rates. The committee passed the bill unanimously, with the chair noting it as a positive example of board modernization.
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

House Standing Committee on Families and Children. (2-12-26)

Families & Children

Transcript Highlights:
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  • >> Do<00:20:30.000> they<00:20:30.159> need<00:20:30.320> to<00:20:30.480>
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.