BILL SEEKING TO HELP INVESTIGATIONS INTO CHILD FATAL THE HOUSE PASSES ITS VERSION OF THE "READ TO SUCCEED ACT," AND NEW ELECTRIC generating FACILITIES COULD HAVE TO PLAN FOR DECOMMISSIONING, ALL ON DAY 23 OF THE 2022 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN REGULAR SESSION.

GOOD EVENING, AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR "LEGISLATIVE UPD I'M CASEY PARKER-BELL.

AFTER ADJUSTING THE LEGISLATIVE CALENDAR DUE TO THE ICE STORM THAT BLANKETED LARGE PORTIONS OF THE STATE, LEGISLATORS ARE BACK AT THE CAPITOL TODAY.

ONE BILL HEARD BY THE SENATE SEEKS TO HELP INVESTIGATIONS IN CHILD FATALITY CASES.

ABUSE OR NEGLECT RESULTED IN THE DEATHS OF 22 KENTUCKY CHILDREN LAST YEAR, ACCORDING TO THE GROUP KENTUCKY YOUTH ADVOCATES.

ANOTHER 53 CHILDREN WERE NEARLY KILLED BY ABUSE OR NEGLECT.

A BILL PASSING THE SENATE LOOKS AT HOW THOSE CASES ARE INVESTIGATED.

SENATOR DANNY CARROLL OF BENTON IS THE SPONSOR OF SENATE BILL 97.

TODAY HE EXPLAINS WHY HE THINKS IN BILL IS NEEDED.

>> MR. PRESIDENT, THIS BILL HAD HELP PUT SOME TEETH INTO THE WORK OF THIS PANEL AS THEY REVIEW THE FATALITIES AND NEAR FATALITIES IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

THIS WILL GO TO FURTHER PROTECT OUR CHILDREN.

IT WILL FURTHER -- THE EFFORTS OF DCBS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT IN MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS THAT WILL HELP THEM TO BE MORE EFFECTIVE IN THEIR ROLES.

AND I WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THIS PANEL DOES NOT HAVE AN ADVERSARIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH DCBS OR WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT.

IT IS A COLLABORATION TO IMPROVE THE EFFORTS IN THE COMMONWEALTH TO BETTER PROTECT OUR kids.

>> Casey: SENATE BILL 97 WOULD REQUIRE LAW ENFORCEMENT TO GET BLOOD, BREATH OR URINE TEST FRO A CAREGIVER IF THAT PERSON IS SUSPECTED OF BEING UNDER THE INFLUENCE WHEN A CHILD DIES OR NEARLY DIES.

THE BILL ALSO REQUIRES CORONERS TO IMMEDIATELY NOTIFY POLICE, THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND THE CABINET FOR HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES AFTER A CHILD'S DEATH.

THERE WAS OPPOSITION TO THE BILL.

GRAYSON SENATOR ROBIN WEBB RAISED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE REQUIRED SUBSTANCE ABUSE TEST.

SHE NOTED THE BILL DOES NOT GIVE A TIMELINE FOR WHEN THAT TEST MUST BE COMPLETED.

>> I SEE WHERE THIS BILL WENT HEALTH AND WELFARE AND NOT JUDICIARY, AND I THINK IT WOULD HAVE PROBABLY SERVED IT BETTER TO HAVE GONE TO JUDICIARY IN LIGHT OF THE SUBJECT MATTER.

AND I THINK THERE ARE SOME QUESTIONS AS TO THE RELEVANCY OF A TEST OF THE INDIVIDUAL'S SUPERVISION AFTER THE FACT WHEN IN THE STATUTES AND OTHER SUBSTANCE-RELATED TIME FRAMES, WHAT STAYS IN YOUR BODY HAS A PURGE TIME AND DIFFERENT LEVELS AND THINGS ARE NOT ADMISSIBLE AFTER A CERTAIN PERIOD OF TIME, ET CETERA, ET CETERA.

I'VE GOT SOME PROBLEMS WITH THE LANGUAGE IN THE PRACTICAL APPLICATION AND THE RELEVANCE OF THIS PARTICULAR PROVISION.

I THINK IT CAN BE DONE BETTER, AND I HOPE THE HOUSE LOOKS AT IT IN THAT LIGHT.

THANK YOU.

>> Casey: ULTIMATELY THE BILL PASSED THE SENATE 31 TO 1.

SENATOR WEBB WAS THE ONLY MEMBE TO VOTE NO.

THE BILL IS NOW HEADED TO THE HOUSE.

SCREENING NEWBORNS FOR CYTOMEGALOVIRUS OR CMV COULD BECOME ROUTINE IN KEN.

CMV IS A COMMON VIRUS BUT IN RARE CASES, AS SENATOR MAX WIFE'S CAMPBELLSVILLE EXPLAINS, IT CAN BE FATAL.

>> ONE IN 200 CHILDREN ARE BOARD WITH CONGENITAL CMV EACH YEAR, AND ONE OF FIVE OF THOSE CHILDREN WILL DEVELOP PERMANENT HEALTH PROBLEMS, SO THAT EQUALS TO ABOUT 270 KENTUCKY CHILDREN ANNUALLY WITH 55 WITH PERMANENT DISABILITIES.

MEANTIME CMV A VIRUS RETHAT IT HAD TO CHICKENPOX OR ALSO MONONUCLEOSIS.

BABIES BORN WITH CMV CAN HAVE BRAIN, LIVER, SPLEEN AND MORE TYPES OF GROWTH PROBLEMS.

BUT WITH PROPER PRENATAL EDUCATION, WOMEN CAN LEARN A SIMPLE AND FABER PLEASURE FOR THIS PREVENTABLE VIRUS, AND WITH EXPANDED SCREENING EFFORTS THAT WE'VE PUT INTO PLACE, MORE CHILDREN COULD BE IDENTIFIED, LEADING TO MORE TIMELY ACCESS TO EARLY INTERVENTION AND IMPROVING THEIR OUTCOMES.

>> Casey: SENATOR WISE IS SPONSOR OF SENATE BILL 105.

BUT NOT ALL OF HIS COLLEAGUES ARE ON BOARD WITH THE BILL.

SENATOR ADRIENNE SOUTHWORTH OF LAWRENCEBURG EXPLAINED HER OPPOSITION TO THE BILL.

>> WHAT I FEEL LIKE WE'RE DOING HERE IS ESSENTIALLY SETTING UP A SITUATION WHERE, ONCE AGAIN, THE STATE IS THE DOCTOR, WE PUT -- I KNOW EVERYTHING IS VERY HIGHLY REGULATED BUT WE'RE GOING TO DO ONE MORE THING TO THIS LONG LIST.

YOU HAVE GOT TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY GETS FREAKED OUT AND SCARED ABOUT SOMETHING THAT FRANKLY WE DON'T HAVE VICTIM ANSWERS FOR, IF WE HAVE ANSWER ADD ALL.

VERY MANY ANSWERED for >> Casey: THE BILL WAS PASSED 30 TO 2 AND IS NOW HEADED TO THE .

House.

IN THE HOUSE, LAWMAKERS MOVED A BILL SEEKING TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES FOR STUDENTS BEFORE FINISHING THIRD GRADE.

HOUSE BILL 226, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE READ TO SUCCEED ACT, CREATES A PROGRAM FOR INTERVENTION TO HEL BEHIND THEIR GRADE LEVEL IN READING CATCH-UP.

HOUSE BILL 1, THE HOUSE'S VERSION OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH BUDGET, ALLOCATES $22 MILLION TOWARD TH LOUISVILLE REPRESENTATIVES JAME TIPTON AND TINA BOJANOWSKY SPOK IN FAVOR OF THE MEASURE ON THE HOUSE FLOOR.

>> I ASKED MYSELF THE QUESTION, WHAT IS IT THAT WE CAN DO THAT WILL REALLY MOVE THE BAR?

WHAT CAN WE DOO TO IMPROVE EDUCATION FOR ALL OUR STUDENTS IN KENTUCKY?

AND THE ANSWER I CAME UP WITH WAS EARLY LITERACY, PARTICULARLY EARLY LITERACY FOR STUDENTS, HOW THEY SCORE WHEN THEY ENTER THE THIRD GRADE BEFORE THEY GO TO FOURTH GRADE.

AND YOU MIGHT ASK ME THE QUESTION, WHY EARLY LITERACY?

YOU MAY NOT REALIZE THIS OR NOT, BUT THERE IS STUDENTS WHO ARE NOT SCORING PROFICIENT ON EARLY LITERACY WHEN THEY ENTER THE FOURTH GRADE ARE FOUR TIMES MORE LIKELY TO NOT GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL.

ONE OF THE MOST DISTURBING CORRELATIONS THAT I'M AWARE OF, THERE IS ACTUALLY A CORRELATION BETWEEN THAT READING PROFICIENCY SCORE AND INCARCERATION.

LET ME REPEAT THAT.

THERE IS A COALLATION BETWEEN THOUSAND STUDENTS SCORE ON THEIR THIRD GRADE READING PROCEED EFFICIENCY SCORES AND INCARCERATION.

OUR KENTUCKY PERFORMANCE RATING FOR DETECTIONAL PROGRESS, MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS K-PREP, IN 2015, THE SCORES FOR OUR THIRD GRADE STUDENTS WHO SCORED PROFICIENT OR DISTINGUISHED WAS 54.3%.

BY 2019, WE SAW THAT NUMBER DECLINE TO 52.7%.

OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS, 118,000 KENTUCKY STUDENTS HAVE LEFT THIRD GRADE NOT PROCEED FISH READERS.

>> THIS BILL ALLOWS TEACHERS TO OPT INTO PROFESSIONAL LEARNING SO THAT WE HAVE MORE TOOLS IN OUR TOOL KIT TO ENSURE THAT ALL OF OUR STUDENTS LEARN TO READ.

EACH DAY THAT I'M IN THE CLASSROOM, I AM TEACHING CHILDREN HOW TO READ.

EVERY STUDENT SHOULD HAVE TEACHERS WHO HAVE THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING POSSIBLE.

THIS BILL WOULD APPROPRIATE AND THROUGH KDE, $32 MILLION TO HELPING TEACHERS BE BETTER PREPARED TO TEACH READING.

I PLAN ON THE FIRST DAY THAT THE LINK IS AVAILABLE TO REGISTER FOR THE TRAINING, AND I AM SURE MANY OF MY COLLEAGUES WILL AS w >> Casey: HOUSE MINORITY LEADER JONI JENKINS VOTED IN FAVOR OF HOUSE BILL 226 BUT SAYS THERE ARE OTHER CHANGES LEGISLATORS CAN MAKE TO IMPROVE YOUTH READING LEVELS.

>> I THINK THERE ARE SOME -- STILL SOME PROBLEMS WITH THIS BILL.

I THINK THERE ARE SOME UNRESOLVED ISSUES, BUT TO ECHO MY COLLEAGUE FROM FRANKLIN, WE HAVE A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH LITERACY, AND WE KNOW THAT IT'S A VERY COMPLEX ISSUE AND THERE ARE OTHER THINGS IN ADDITION TO THIS INTERVENTION THAT CAN BE DONE.

WE COULD PASS UNIVERSAL PRE-K. WE COULD MAKE SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES IN THE NUMBER OF KIDS THAT ARE LIVING IN POVERTY.

WE KNOW THOSE TWO THINGS WOULD MOVE THE NOODLE -- NEEDLE, EXCUSE ME.

[LAUGHTER] AND MAYBE THE NOODLE, TOO, I DON'T KNOW.

BUT I AM -- I'M GOING TO VOTE YES BECAUSE I THINK THERE'S OPPORTUNITIES TO ANSWER SOME OF THOSE QUESTIONS DOWN IN THE SENATE.

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

>> Casey: HOUSE BILL 226 DOES NOT TAKE AWAY FUNDING FROM THE READ TO ACHIEVE PROGRAM, A POPULAR READING IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM ALREADY UTILIZED IN THE THE READ TO SUCCEED ACT PASSED THE HOUSE 86 TO 7 AND NOW MAKES ITS WAY TO THE SENATE.

ITS COMPANION LEGISLATION, SENATE BILL 9, HAS ALREADY BEEN RECEIVED BY THE HOUSE.

KENTUCKY HAS A HISTORY WITH UTILITY SUPPLIERS LEAVING A MESS.

THE COMMONWEALTH HAS MORE THAN 14,000 ORPHAN WELLS.

WITH THE EMERGENCE OF RENEWABLE ENERGIES, LEGISLATORS ARE AIMING TO MAKE SURE A SIMILAR PROBLEM DOESN'T HAPPEN WITH ELECTRIC GENERATING HOUSE BILL 392 WILL REQUIRE NEW ELECTRIC FACILITIES TO CREATE A PLAN FOR DECOMMISSIONING.

THE PLANS WILL INCLUDE HOW TO DISMANTLE THE FACILITY AND RETURN PROPERTY TO ITS ORIGINAL RUSSELL SPRINGS REPRESENTATIVE JOSH BRANSCUM IS SPONSORING THE MEASURE WITH A CLEAR GOAL.

>> AS THE DEMAND FORE RENEWABLE ENERGY INCREASES ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND OUR COMMONWEALTH, IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT AS PART OF THESE DEVELOPMENTS WE ASSURE THAT OUR LANDOWNERS AND COMMUNITIES OF PROTECTED IN THE EVENT ANY OF THESE PROJECTS SHOULD EVER FAIL TO PROPERLY DECOMMISSION AND DISMANTLE THEIR FACILITIES AT THE END OF THEIR USEFUL LIFE.

I OFTEN THINK ABOUT THE 14,000 ABANDONED AND ORPHANED WELLS THAT WE HAVE THROUGHOUT KENTUCKY.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE END OF A SOLAR DEVELOPMENT'S LIFE CYCLE PROVISIONS ARE IN PLACE THAT RESTORES THE PROPERTY BACK TO THE SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR STATE AS ITS ORIGINAL FORM.

THE PURPOSE OF THIS LEGISLATION IS TO PROVIDE KENTUCKY LANDOWNERS AND COMMUNITIES WITH PROTECTIONS THAT WILL APPLY WHEN A MERCHANT ELECTRIC JENN RIGHT AFTERRING FACILITY CEASES TO PRODUCE POWER.

HOUSE BILL 392 PROTECTS INDIVIDUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS WHEN THEY CHOOSE TO ENTER INTO AGREEMENTS WITH SOLAR DEVELOPERS.

HOUSE BILL 392 IMPOSES SEVERAL NEW REQUIREMENTS UPON THESE DEVELOPERS, SPECIFICALLY, FIRST THE DEVELOPER MUST SUBMIT A DECOMMISSIONING PLAN AS PART OF ITS SITING BOARD APPLICATION.

SECOND, IT MUST TENDER A DECOMMISSIONING BOND PRIOR TO COMMENCING CONSTRUCTION AND UPDATE THAT BOND AT LEAST ONCE EVERY FIVE YEARS.

AND THIRD, IT MUST GIVE NOTICE TO APPROPRIATE AUTHORITIES OF A FUTURE TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP OR CONTROL OF THE PROJECT DURING ITS OPERATIONAL PHASE.

>> Casey: HOUSE BILL 392 PASSE THE HOUSE 91 TO 3.

THE HOUSE ALSO PASSED A MEASURE THAT INCREASES THE PENALTY FOR THE UNLAWFUL PRACTICE OF LAW.

HOUSE BILL 256 WILL HEAD TO THE SENAT ON THURSDAY THE SENATE MOVED A MEASURE SETTING PARAMETERS TO RESOLVE DISPUTES BETWEEN SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS AND THE DIRECTORS OF HEAD START PROGRAM SENATE BILL 60 WOULD REQUIRE TH EDUCATION COMMISSIONER TO SERVE AS A MEDIATOR WHEN THE PARTIES CAN'T COME TO AN AGREEMENT ON FULL UTILIZATION.

FULL UTILIZATION IS WHEN THE HEAD START PROGRAM HAS FILLED ITS SEATS AND THE LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS CAN BEGIN PROVIDING PRESCHOOL SERVICES.

SENATE EDUCATION CHAIR MAX WISE SAYS GRIDLOCK BETWEEN THE PARTIES CAN LEAD TO AT-RISK CHILDREN NOT RECEIVING SERVICES AND SCHOOL DISTRICT MISSING OUT ON FEDERAL DOLLARS.

>> IF THERE IS ANY DISAGREEMENTS, IF THERE'S ANY RELATIONSHIPS THAT HAVE HAD TROUBLE RELATING TO FULL UTILIZATION OF HEAD START DOLLARS, THE BILL ACTUALLY ALLOWS FOR SUPERINTENDENTS AND LOCAL HEAD START DIRECTORS WITHIN 30 DAYS OF ANY DISAGREEMENT, THAT A NOTIFICATION CAN BE MADE TO THE COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION WHERE THE COMMISSIONER SHALL REVIEW ALL THE DETAILS AS PRESENTED BY BOTH THE LOCAL HEAD START DIRECTOR AND ALSO THE LOCAL SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT AND THE COMMISSIONER WILL MAKE ANY DETERMINATION AS TO WHETHER OR NOT A HEAD START PROGRAM IS FULLY UTILIZED OR NOT.

THE HIGH, HIGH MAJORITY OF LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN HEAD START PROGRAMS ARE WORKING IN UNISON AND WORKING COLLABORATIVELY BUT THERE ARE SOME THAT HAVE NOT, AND SO WITH THIS, THIS JUST STRENGTHENS AND MAXIMIZES THOSE RELATIONSHIPS IN THAT coordinat >> Casey: LEXINGTON SENATOR REGGIE THOMAS EXPLAINS WHY THE BILL IS NEEDED AND SAYS HE'S GOING TO VOTE FOR IT.

>> AGAIN, THERE'S BEEN SOME CONFLICT WITH REGARD TO HOW THESE FUNDS ARE WE GO YOU AT BEING UTILIZED AND LOCAL SUPERINTENDENTS JUSTIFIABLY, PERHAPS UNJUSTIFIABLY, FEELING THAT THE DIRECTION THEY WANT TO TAKE PRESCHOOL EDUCATION IS NOT CONSISTENT WITH HEAD START.

SO WE HAVE HAD THIS CONFLICT THAT HAS ARISEN, AND SENATE BILL 60 ATTEMPTS TO ADDRESS THAT.

AND IT SAYS THAT WHERE THE LOCAL HEAD START DIRECTOR AND THE LOCAL SUPERINTENDENT CANNOT AGREE ON THE BEST APPROACH TO USE THESE FEDERAL FUNDS IN SCRANSING ADVANCINGS PRESCHOOL EDUCATION, THEN THE CHIEF STATE EDUCATION OFFICER, WHICH IS OUR COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION, CAN STEP IN AND RESOLVE THE CONFLICT.

I THINK ONE THING IS CLEAR, THAT WHERE FEDERAL FUNDS ARE BEING USED FOR PRESCHOOL EDUCATION, WE OUGHT TO USE THOSE FUNDS FIRST.

WE OUGHT TO USE ALL FEDERAL MONEYS TO ADVANCE ANY ENDEAVOR THAT THE STATE IS JOINTLY COOPERATIVE BEFORE USING STATE FUNDS.

THAT WAY WE CAN MAXIMIZE USING STATE FUNDS TO THE BEST AND WISEST USES ALL KENTUCKIANS.

I DO HOPE THAT WITH THE PASSAGE OF SENATE BILL 60, AND I DON'T BELIEVE THIS WILL HAPPEN, BUT I DO HOPE WE DON'T GET INTO A SITUATION WHERE WE WASTE FEDERAL FUNDS BECAUSE OF DIFFERENCES BETWEEN A LOCAL SUPERINTENDENT AND A LOCAL HEAD START DIRECTOR.

>> Casey: SENATE BILL 60 PASSE THE SENATE 27 TO 0 AND WILL HEA OVER TO THE HOUSE.

LAST THURSDAY, THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE PASSED A BILL THAT THE CODIFY LANGUAGE GIVING PARENTS THE RIGHTS TO MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT THEIR chil SENATE BILL 40 RAISES THE BAR FOR HOW THE JUDICIARY SHOULD LOOK AT CASES INVOLVING FAMILIE PARIS SENATOR STEPHEN WEST EXPLAINS THE MEASURE.

>> AS SIMPLY AS POSSIBLE AS I CAN STATE, ALL THIS BILL DOES IS MANDATE THAT THE STATE OF KENTUCKY, WHEN PASSING LEGISLATION, OR THE JUDICIARY INTERPRETING LEGS AS IT PERTAINS TO PARENTS' RIGHTS, THE JUDICIARY MUST APPLY STRICT LEVEL SCRUTINY.

SO FIRST AMENDMENT ANALYSIS YOU'VE GOT LOW LEVEL, MID LEVEL AND STRICT SCRUTINY, AND STRICT SCRUTINY MANDATES THAT THERE MUST BE A COMPELLING STATE INTEREST AT HAND AND THAT ANY LEGISLATION MUST BE NARROWLY TAILORED TO MEET THAT COMPELLING STATE INTEREST.

THE REASON FOR THIS IS IT HAS BEEN LONG UNDERSTOOD IN THIS STATE AND ACROSS THE UNITED STATES THAT PARENTAL RIGHTS WERE TO BE HELD TO THE STANDARD, AND THEY WERE HIGHLY PROTECTED, COVETED, AND REALLY ANOTHER LEVEL OF GOVERNANCE.

YOU HAD THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

YOU HAD THE STATE GOVERNMENT.

BUT THE ULTIMATE GOVERNMENT, THE ULTIMATE LOCAL GOVERNMENT WAS THE FAMILY AND PARENTS.

AND THAT PARENTS HAD A, CLEARLY HAVE A COMPELLING INTEREST IN THE CARE, CUSTODY AND CONTROL OF THEIR children.

>> Casey: LOUIS SENATOR KAREN BERG WONDERED IF THE BILL COULD HAVE A CHILLING EFFECT ON SOCIAL SERVICE WORKER SHE ASKED WEST ABOUT THEIR POTENTIAL LIABILITY.

>> MY CONCERN, YOU KNOW, HAS TO DO WITH CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES, AND HOW ARE THE INDIVIDUAL PEOPLE WHO ARE SENT OUT TO A HOME TO MAKE A DETERMINATION AS TO WHETHER OR NOT A CHILD.

IS IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT, IS THIS GOING TO HAVE A CHILLING EFFECT ON THEIR ABILITY TO DO WHAT THEY THINK NEEDS TO BE DONE, GIVEN -- YOU'VE GOT TO UNDERSTAND FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, FREQUENTLY WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE HASN'T BEEN DONE, THAT THEY'RE NOT AS PROTECTIVE OF SOME OF THESE CHILDREN AS A DELI THEY WOULD BE.

SO, I MEAN, IF I WAS A SOCIAL WORKER AND I WAS SENT OUT TO A HOME AND I KNEW THAT IF I VIOLATED THIS PARENT'S RIGHTS, THEY HAD JUDICIAL RELIEF AGAINST ME, AND I'M ALREADY ON THE EDGE, YOU KNOW, I ALREADY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH THIS CASE, HOW IS THIS GOING TO IMPACT THOSE DECISIONS?

THAT'S MY QUESTION.

>> IT'S MY OPINION THAT THIS BILL DOES NOT IMPACT AT ALL OUR CURRENT STATUTES AS THEY PERTAIN TO CHILD ABUSE/NEGLECT.

SIMPLY STATED, IF YOU HAVE A CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT LAW, THERE'S CLEARLY A COMPELLING STATE INTEREST TO PREVENT CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT, SO YOU MEET THAT STANDARD, AND WHATEVER LAW YOU PUT IN PLACE MUST BE NARROWLY TAILORED TO MEET THAT INTEREST.

SO I DON'T, IN MY OPINION, I DON'T KNOW OF ANY OF OUR CURRENT LAWS WOULD GO AGAINST -- REALLY IN MY OPINION THE STRICT SCRUTINY STANDARDS SHOULD APPLY TO THOSE LAWS SO I DON'T THINK THERE WILL BE ANY EFFECT WHATSOEVER ON OUR EXISTING CHILD ABUSE NEGLECTED LAWS.

>> Casey: SENATE BILL 40 PADS OUT OF WHICH COMMITTEE AND NOW AWAITS ACTION BY IS THE Senate TODAY IN THE CAPITOL ROTUNDA ADVOCATES FOR FUNDING THE 988 SYSTEM IN KENTUCKY HELD A PRESS 988 IS A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS RESPONSE NUMBER, SIMILAR TO THE 91111 SYSTEM.

ADVOCATES CAME TO SUPPORT HOUS BILL 373 WHICH PROVIDES FUNDING FOR THE 988 SYSTEM THAT COULD HELP STEER PEOPLE TO SUICIDE PREVENTION AND MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT SERVICES.

REPRESENTATIVE KIM BANTA AND ADVOCATES FOR THE BILL SPOKE IN FAVOR OF THE MEASURE THEY'RE HOPING TO GET THROUGH THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

>> I THINK THAT ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS THAT WE CAN DO IN KENTUCKY IS SET UP GUARDRAILS AND PROTECTIONS FOR PEOPLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, AND I FEEL THAT THE 988 BILL GIVES US ONE MORE VERY SIMPLE STEP INTO HELPING PEOPLE GET INTO SERVICES, MAKE SURE THEY GET INTO THE RIGHT SERVICES.

911 IS NOT SET UP FOR THESE KIND OF MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

WHOEVER GETS AT THE END OF THE CALL, THEY'RE GOING TO GET SOMEBODY WHO IS EXPERIENCED, SOMEONE THAT CAN HELP THEM, AND HOPEFULLY PREVENT A SUICIDE OR AI ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.

>> SOMETHING REALLY IMPORTANT I THINK TO HAMMER IN IS THAT WE'RE NOT TAKING MONEY FROM 911.

WE LOVE OUR 9/11 SYSTEM.

OUR LARGE SERVICES FOLKS WANT THIS BILL.

THEY WANT THIS TO PASS.

SO THIS IS REALLY A BIG HELP TO EVERYONE IN KENTUCKY.

WE'VE GOT TO REMEMBER THAT EVERY KENTUCKIAN CAN BE IMPACTED BY MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS CAN COME OUT OF SEEMINGLY NOWHERE.

FOR ANY OF US AT ANY GIVEN TIME.

FOR INSTANCE, YOU KNOW WE CAN ALL BE STRUCK WITH A DISABILITY SUDDENLY, GET STRUCK BY A CAR OR SOMETHING, AND YOU HAVE A HEALTH.

MOMENT.

THAT'S AN ADJUSTMENT TO MAKE IN YOUR LIFE.

BEING ABLE TO HAVE THIS CRISIS LINE SIMILAR TO CALL AND GET ASSISTANCE WHEN YOU NEED IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

>> EACH TIME THERE IS A HIGHLY PUBLICIZED SUICIDE SUCH A ROBIN WILLIAMS OR ANTHONY BOURDAIN, A OUR CALL CENTERS SEE'S MASSIVE INFLUX OF CALLS MOSTLY DUE TO NEWS COVERAGE SHOWING THE LIFELINE NUMBER AND URGING PEOPLE TO SEEK HELP.

WATCHETTING THESE CALL NUMBERS TO GROW AT THAT SAME SUBSTANTIAL RATE GOING FORWARD AS A A SIMPLE THREE-DIGIT DIALING NODE, 988 WILL BE THAT MUCH EASIER TO REMEMBER AND TO ACCESS THAN 1-800-273-8255.

>> 988 IN ITS SIMPLICITY AND CONVENIENCE CAN WORKS TOWARD ASSUAGING THOSE FEARS IN THE OTHER DEVELOPMENTAL AGE AND IN TURN NORMALIZE THE TALKING ABOUT OF MENTAL HEALTH AMONG THOSE SAME INDIVIDUALS AS THEY GROW.

NO ONE IS ALONE IN THEIR FIGHT.

AND EVERYONE, NO MATTER THEIR AGE, DESERVES TO KNOW THIS.

EXCUSE ME.

BY FUNDING 9 AND 8 AND ITS WRAPAROUND SERVICES YOU HELP SHOW THE PEOPLE OF KENTUCKY THAT NO MATTER WHAT THEY STRUG, WITH THERE IS A COMMUNITY THAT STRANDS WITH THEM, A GOVERNMENT THAT STANDS WITH THEM.

FOR AS LONG AS THEY CONTINUE THEIR FIGHT, THEY WILL NEVER BE ALONE.

>> Casey: THE NEW 988 SERVICE WOULD BE PAID FOR WITH A 70-CEN PER LINE MONTH CHARGE FOR CELL PHONES, THE EXACT SAME FEES AS THE 911 SYSTEM.

HOUSE BILL 373 DOES NOT TAKE AWAY ANY FUNDING FROM THE 911 PHONE LINE.

ON LAST MONDAY'S "KENTUCKY TONIGHT," RENEE SHAW HOSTED A DISCUSSION ON SCHOOL CHOICE IN KENTUCKY.

THE FOCUS WAS ON A PROPOSAL IN THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY, SENATE BILL 50, SPONSORED BY WINCHESTER REPUBLICAN RALPH ALV WE'RE GOING TO LOOK BACK AT PAR OF THAT CONVERSATION, FOCUSING ON THE BILL'S POTENTIAL IMPACT TO THE CURRENT EDUCATION SYSTEM.

>> I KNOW A LOT OF KIDS WHO, SOME OF THEM HAD SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES BUT SOME WOULD HAVE LOVED TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY.

MANY FAMILIES OF COLOR NOW IN LEXINGTON AND LOUISVILLE THAT I'VE TALKED TO WHO WOULD LOVE TO HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY BUT HAVE NO EQUITY IN THEIR HOMES, NO DIDN'T YOU TO RENT, THEY CAN'T AFFORD THAT, AND THEY DON'T HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO HAVE A DIFFERENT OPTION FOR THEIR CHILDREN THAT THEY THINK MIGHT BE BETTER.

I NOW HAVE THAT OPTION FOR MY KIDS.

I CAN SEND THEM ANYWHERE I WANT.

MANY FAMILIES DO.

SCHOOL CHOICE EXISTS FOR CERTAIN FAMILIES BUT NOT FOR ALL FAMILIES.

SO WHEN I LOOK AT THE PROGRAM THAT WE HAVE PROPOSED WHEN I READ THESE OPTIONS I SAID, THIS WOULD HAVE HELPED MY FAMILY, AND I LEARNED ABOUT IT WHEN I APPLIED FOR COLLEGE.

I APPLIED TO SOME REALLY WELL-RENOWNED SCHOOLS IN THE BAY AREA IN CALIFORNIA KAMPF WHERE I GREW UP IS I REMEMBER MY FATHER SAYING, SON, WE'RE PROUD OF YOUR SCHOOL WORK.

IF YOU GET INTO THOSE SCHOOLS WE'RE TAPPED OUT, WE CAN'T HELP YOU AT THIS POINT.

YOU HAVE I DO NOT NOT TO FIND WAY TO DO THAT ON YOUR PONE SO THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT WANT DIFFERENT OPTIONS.

I'VE HEARD FROM A LOT OF PARENTS AROUND THE STATE WHO SAID WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY.

WE JUST CAN'T AFFORD IT.

IF IT FAIR FOR SOME TO HAVE THOSE OPPORTUNITIES AND NOT OTHER AND THIS IS A TIME TO LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD.

>> SO WE'RE TALKING ABOUT EDUCATION -- THESE THINGS ARE INTERCHANGEABLE BUT ANOTHER EUPHEMISM IS SCHOOL VOUCHER PS EDDIE CAMPBELL, I WANT TO ASK YOU DO YOU THINK TO THAT THESE EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY ACCOUNTS ARE REALLY SCHOOL UP VOERS IN DISGUISE AND WOULD I DESCRIBE THEM AS SUCH?

>> YES, WE WOULD CALL THEM SCHOOL VOUCHERS.

ANY TIME YOU TAKE PUBLIC MONEY AND YOU PROVIDE IT TO A PRIVATE EXECUTION INSTITUTION, PUBLIC TAX DOLLARS AND PROVIDE TO IT A PRIVATE INSTITUTION, IT'S A VOUCHER, AND WE CAN DISGUISE IT ANYWAY WE WANT, IT'S STILL GOING TO BE A VOUCHER IN ANY SCHEME THAT WE PUT TOGETHER IN THAT FORM.

THE REAL QUESTION HERE IS WHY AREN'T AWAY REEL FOCUSING ON FUNDING OR UNDERFUNDED PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN THE STATE RIGHT NOW.

>> AND SO GIVE US THE RECORD OF HOW EDUCATION HAS IMPROVED SINCE KERA, SINCE THE 1990 KENTUCKY EDUCATION REFORM ACT, AND IMPROVED STUDENT OUTCOMES IS IF IT RELL SA DOING WHAT IT WAS INTENDED TO DO, THEN WHY ARE THESE DISCUSSIONS ABOUT ALTERNATIVES BEING HAD AT SUCH VIGOR?

>> SO WHEN KERA PASSED IN 1990 AND WE GOT INTO OUR SCHOOL REFORM, OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS TOOK OFF BECAUSE THEY WERE GETTING THE NECESSARY FUNDING.

WAL EQUALIZED THE FUNDING SO THAT NOWHERE MATTER WHERE THE STUDENT ATTEND SCHOOL IN ANY PART OF THE STATE, THEY HAD THE SAME OPPORTUNITIES, THE THEY HAD THE SAME PROGRAMS THEY COULD BE OFFERED, BUT SINCE 2008 WHEN WE HAD THE ECONOMIC TURNDOWN, DOWNTURN RATHER, THE FUNDING FOR SCHOOLS HAS BEEN MOOT.

IT'S NOT GROWN.

WE'RE ABOUT 17% BEHIND IN OUR SEEK BASE FUNDING.

WE HAVE CUT AFTER CUT AFTER CUT WITH EXTENDED SCHOOL SERVICES, TEXTBOOKS, RESOURCES, WHOLE CHILD SERVICES LIKE COUNSELORS AND MENTAL HEALTH AND NURSES, AND EVERY TIME WE DON'T FUND OR INCREASE OUR SCHOOL FUNDING YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR, WHAT WE'RE DOING IS WE'RE CUTTING SERVICES TO OUR STUDENTS, WE'RE CUTTING RESOURCES FOR OUR STUDENTS, WE'RE MAKING CLASS SIDESES LARGER, SO IT MAKES IT HARDER AND HARDER TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE STUDENTS, AND OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS OPEN THEIR DOORS EVERY SINGLE DAY, AND THE EDUCATORS OPEN THEIR ARMS WIDE AND SAY, COME HERE.

WE'RE GOING TO MEET YOUR NEEDS BY WHATEVER MEANS NECESSARY.

AND THAT'S BECOME HARDER AND HARDER SINCE 2008.

>> REPRESENTATIVE BOJANOWSKY, YOU ARE A SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER AND FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

THIS IS YOUR FIRST TIME IN OUR STUDIO SO THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE, WHY ARE THESE SCHOLARSHIP TAX CREDITS OR EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY ACCOUNTS A THREAT TO PUBLIC EDUCATION?

>> WELL, AND I'M GOING TO START WITH JUST AN ANSWER AND SHARING A LITTLE BIT OF MY STORY JUST AS SENATOR ALVARADO DID.

MY MOTHER WAS ALSO AN IMMIGRANT.

SHE EMIGRATED HERE FROM GERMANY, AND WE DID PRETTY WELL AT THE BEGINNING, BUT THEN MY PARENTS GOT DIVORCED AND SHE RAISED US ON A SINGLE-PARENT INCOME.

WE DID PUBLIC SCHOOLS ALL THE WAY THROUGH, INCLUDING BEING BUSSED TO CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DURING THE MANDATORY DESEGREGATION, AND BOTH MY SIBLINGS WENT TO BROWN UNIVERSITY.

REALLY HAD A PHENOMENAL PUBLIC EDUCATION.

SO, YOU KNOW, I THINK AS A TEACHER, I THINK THAT WE DO A REALLY GOOD JOB.

I THINK THAT PART OF THE CONCERN ABOUT A LOT OF PEOPLE WANTING TO HAVE ALTERNATIVES, JUDGE SHEPHERD MENTIONED IN ONE OF THE HIS STATEMENTS THAT MAYBE WE'RE NOT FUNDING OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS ADEQUATELY TO PROVIDE THE ADEQUATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL CHILDREN, AND SO I THINK THAT THAT'S REALLY SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO LOOK AT CLOSELY.

IF WE LOOK AT THE SEEK NUMBER, THE ACTUAL SEEK NUMBER IS HIGHER THAN IT WAS, BUT IF YOU TAKE THE 2008 NUMBER AND ACCOUNT FOR INFLATION, WE'RE ABOUT $54 MILLION SHORTER.

>> EVEN WITH THE PROPOSAL THAT -- >> YES.

>> -- BEFORE THE HOUSE, IT STILL COMES UP SHORT, IN YOUR OPINION.

>> YES.

SO, YOU KNOW, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WHAT WE'RE DOING IN PUBLIC EDUCATION IS PROVIDING AN ADEQUATE OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL CHILDREN WITHIN THE PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM.

>> Casey: YOU CAN SEE THE FULL "KENTUCKY TONIGHT" EPISODE ON SCHOOL CHOICE IN KENTUCKY BY VISITING OUR WEBSITE.

THAT CONCLUDES OUR COVERAGE OF DAY 23 OF THE 2022 KENTUCKY GENERAL AS WE HOPE TO SEE YOU AGAIN TOMORROW NIGHT AT 11:00 P.M. EASTERN TIME FOR "LEGISLATIVE U FOR INFORMATION ABOUT LEGISLATIVE MEETINGS, CALL 1-80 YOU CAN ALSO FOLLOW OUR GAVEL-TO-GAVEL COVERAGE THROUGHOUT THE DAY BY DOWNLOADING KET'S LEGISLATIVE COVERAGE APP TO YOUR SMART PHON OR TABLET.

YOU CAN WATCH ON OUR CHANNEL OR FOLLOW ALONG ONLINE AT KET.ORG.

THANKS FOR WATCHING AND HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.