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House Republicans are pushing for an omnibus crime bill that you heard them talk about with tougher penalties for violent criminals.

As our Jeanne Laslo reports, some groups wonder if it will really make Kentuckians safer.

House Republicans safer Kentucky Act would put away many people convicted of a crime for longer sentences.

But a recent analysis from the left leaning Kentucky Center for Economic Policy says that approach doesn't curb crime and instead hurts families.

Research tells us.

That longer sentences don't decrease violent crime or deter people from committing it.

The human costs of House Bill five sentencing enhancements would be significant.

These enhancements will separate more families and for longer.

In a state where one in ten children already experiences the incarceration of a parent.

The bill would reclassify some crimes so that they warrant longer sentences.

It also calls for a three strikes rule that would put violent offenders away for life with no chance for parole.

Some lawyers say this is unnecessary.

Prosecutors can use the persistent felony offender statute to increase penalties.

The pitiful statue already contemplates giving harsher sentences to repeat offenders.

We do not need to take away prosecutorial discretion in sentencing defendants.

It will cripple the prosecutor by making it harder to settle cases, causing more delays in justice, more trials, and costing local governments more money.

Others standing against this crime bill include the Kentucky Council of Churches, the ACLU of Kentucky and Public Defenders.

Same goes for groups representing people with a substance use disorder or insecure housing.

The bill would outlaw people from sleeping on the streets, something Louisville has already implemented locally, formerly Unhoused Bill.

Smith says that's not the right way to treat people who have nowhere to go.

Cities locking up shelters, affordable housing is all existent.

The majority of counties don't have any shelters.

We should be finding services that work that are proven rather than add a new charge against people who are homeless.

The bill also increases penalties for drug dealers.

A person can be liable for murder if they sell fentanyl to someone who ends up having a fatal overdose.

People in recovery say this could deter someone from calling EMS to save someone's life.

Individuals who may be sharing substances or using in groups could be swept up in this in this legislation, in this language as it's currently drafted.

Kentucky's Democratic governor shares these same concerns on top of how Kentucky's crowded and understaffed prisons and jails could handle more inmates.

We only have a certain ability to house people in our penal system.

I can tell you the challenge from from the executive branch side is you don't control the the the supply.

Right.

But you have to to meet it.

And that's a great fiscal challenge for the Commonwealth as well.

State offices are estimating how much that would cost for Kentucky.

Edition of June Lefler.

Thank you, June.

The bill does have support from law enforcement.

The Kentucky Fraternal Order of Police says it will testify in favor of the bill in front of lawmakers tomorrow in a committee hearing.