♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> THE FIRST WOMAN TO LEAD A LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS IN THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY WITH, WITHDREW HER CANDIDACY TORRE NEXT, HOUSE MINORITY LETTER JENKINS MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT TODAY, LAWMAKERS ACT ON MEASURES THEY DEEMED AS ADVANCING LEGISLATIVE INDEPENDENCE, A CHILD PREVENTION MEASURE GETS UNANIMOUS COMMITTEE SUPPORT AND BOWLING GREEN STATE REPRESENTATIVE TALKS WITH US ABOUT RESTORING LIVES AND LIVELIHOODS AFTER THE RECENT DEVASTATING TORNADOES THAT RAVAGED WESTERN KENTUCKY.

THOSE ISSUES AND MORE AS WE RECAP DAY 16 OF THE 2022 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN REGULAR SESSION.

>> GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE, WELCOME TO LEGISLATIVE UP INDICATE TONIGHT, I AM RENEE SHAW, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US, OUR LEAD STORY TONIGHT, THE HOUSE DEMOCRATIC LEADER IS RETIRING AFTER THIS SESSION.

JENKINS WHO SERVED THE STATE LEGISLATURE SINCE 1995 MADE ANNOUNCEMENT TODAY, SHE SAYS SHE DECIDED NOT RUN BECAUSE THE MAYOR BURTON AND AFRICAN-AMERICAN, AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN FILED FOR THE SEAT YESTERDAY, THE CANDIDATE FILING DEADLINE, HERE IS JENKINS' STATEMENT.

>> I HAVE HONG ADVOCATED FOR A GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT LOOKS LIKE KENTUCKY, SO WHEN MINORITIES BECAME THE MAJORITY POPULATION AND THE NEWLY REDRAWN 44TH HOUSE DISTRICT, I DID NOT WANT TO BE A BARRIER TO A PERSON OF COLOR JOINING THE KENTUCKY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

THAT IS WHY I WITHDREW MY CANDIDACY TODAY.

I HAVE LOVED REPRESENTING MY BEAUTIFULLY DIVERSE DISTRICT FOR MANY YEARS AND WILL BE FOREVER GRATEFUL THAT THE VOTERS GAVE ME THE CHANCE TO SERVE THEM.

I WILL FINISH MY TERM THE SAME WAY I STARTED MY FIRST, FIGHTING FOR THOSE I REPRESENT AND FOR A BETTER COMMONWEALTH.

HOUSE SPEAKER DAVID OSBORNE ISSUED THIS IN RESPONSE.

>> SINCE TAKING THE OATH OF OFFICE IN JANUARY OF 1995, THE HOUSE MINORITY FLOOR LEADER DEVOTED HER LIFLGHT IF THE CAREER FOR ADVOCATING FOR THE PEOPLE OF HER DISTRICT AND PROVIDING A VOICE FOR KENTUCKIANS INTRODUCES COMMON WEALTH, COMMONWEALTH HER EXTRAORDINARY WORK ON WOMEN AND CHILDREN BROUGHT ATTENTION TO THE CHALLENGES OUR STATE FACES WHILE HER WILLINGNESS TO WORK INTRODUCES AISLE HAS PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEEK MEANINGFUL SOLUTIONS, LEADER JENKINS ALWAYS PUTS PEOPLE BEFORE POLITICS AND WHILE WE HAVE NOT ALWAYS AGREED I HAVE NEVER A DOUBTED HER COMMITMENT, END QUOTE.

IN 2019 JENKINS BECAME THE FIRST WOMAN TO LEAD A CAUCUS IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE.

MAKING IT CLEAR THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY CAN DEFEND A DISIEWCIAL FACILITY OF THE LAWS IT PASSES IS THE GOAL OF A MEASURE FRONTED BY HOUSE SPEAKER PRO TEM, DAVID MEADE, HIS HOUSE BILL 2:30 WAS APPROVED BY THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE THIS AFTERNOON, THE GENERAL COUNCIL FOR THE HOUSE MAJORITY CAUCUS ERIC LIKEN EXPLAINED IT IS OFTEN THAT THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH IS CHALLENGING THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF AN ACT AND IT IS NOT FAIR TO DEFEND IT.

>> WHY THIS BILL IS NECESSARY?

BECAUSE THIS TO ME IS AN EXECUTIVE BRANCH AUTHORITY SO WHY ARE WE NOW BRINGING IT OVER THE THE LEGISLATIVE?

>> .

MANY TIMES WHEN THE CONSTITUTION FACILITY OF THESE LAWS ARE ..

CHALLENGED THERE MAY NOT BE SOMEONE TO CHALLENGE THE CONSTITUTIONALITY, THE AG IN PREVIOUS YEARS MAY NOT HAVE WANTED TO CHALLENGE IT, BUT THIS GIVES THE OPPORTUNITY FOR GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO UPHOLD AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION MALT OF ANY OF THE DEALS THAT WE PASS, WHEN WE FEEL IT IS NECESSARY.

WE REPRESENT THE PEOPLE, WE ARE IS THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE AND WE SHOULD BE STANDING UP FOR PEOPLE IN COURT AND THAT'S THE REASON.

SO THIS BILL JUST ALLOWS THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THROUGH ITS OFFICERS TO DEFEND ACTS IT PASSES AND BECAUSE WE ARE NOT IN CONTINUOUS SESSION THIS SECTION 1 IDENTIFIES THE CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS WHO DO EXIST WHEN WE ARE NOT IN SESSION AS HAVING THE RIGHT TO INTERVENE.

>> LOUISVILLE ATTORNEY JASON TEAM HELD THIS IS AN IMPORTANT PART IN THE FORM OF LEGISLATIVE INDEPENDENCE, HE NOTED THE LANDMARK CASE ROSE VERSUS COUNCIL THAT LED TO THE TRANSFORMATIVE KENTUCKY EDUCATION ACT IN 1990 IN WHICH THE HOUSE SPEAKER IN THE, AND THE SENATE PRESIDENT WERE TWO OF THE PARTIES IN THE CASE, TEAM TEAM REPRESENTED A LAWSUIT IN FRANKLIN CIRCUIT COURT BY THE KENTUCKY DEMOCRATIC PARTY, RESIDENTS OF FRANKLIN COUNTY AND A HOUSE CAUCUS CHAIR DERICK GRAHAM.

>> THE PERFECT EXAMPLE IS ONE THAT IS GOING ON RIGHT NOW, WHERE A MEMBER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND FIVE CITIZENS AND THE KENTUCKY DEMOCRATIC PARTY HAVE FILED A LAWSUIT AGAINST BOARD OF ELECTIONS AND THE SECRETARY OF STATE .. AND THAT IS FIND, BUT THE REAL PARTY AT INTEREST IN THAT CLAIM IS THE LEGISLATURE AND SO IF THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE AND IF THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, ONE OR THE OTHER DECIDES TO INTERVENE TTHAT IS AS IMPORTANT STEP THAT SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO BE TAKEN, IT WOULD, I BELIEVE, ALLOW TO BE TAKEN ALREADY BUT WHAT STATUTE DOES IS IT MAKES IT CRYSTAL CLEAR IF THE LEGISLATURE IS A REAL PARTY AT INTEREST AND A IF THEY ARE NOT A PART OF THE SUIT THEY CAN INTERVENE AND ASSERT THE INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE'S REPRESENTATIVE.

SO I THINK IT IS A VERY IMPORTANT BILL.

>> ESPECIALLY RIGHT NOW, THE SENATE AND THE SPEAKER, THE SENATE PRESIDENT AND SPHWEERK OF THE HOUSE ARE ALL OF THE SAME PARTY SO HOW WOULD MINORITY VOICES IN LITIGATION BE REPRESENTED?

SO, YOU KNOW, IF A PARTICULAR PARTY VOTED ONE WAY FOR ON THE BILL AND THE MINORITY PARTY VOTED THE OTHER WAY AND THERE WERE LEGITIMATE CONCERNS THAT ARE PROBABLY THE SAME CONCERNS THAT ARE BROUGHT UP IN THE LITIGATION, HOW WOULD THOSE BE EXPRESSED IN A FAIR MANNER REPRESENTING THE ENTIRE GENERAL ASSEMBLY?

>> WELL AGAIN IN THIS BILL WE ARE NOT REALLY -- WE ARE NOT REALLY FOCUSING ON LEGISLATIVE INTENT, WE ARE FOCUSING ON THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF THE BILL, AND SO THE SPEAKER AND THE PRESIDENT REPRESENT THE ENTIRE BODY, SO THEY SHOULD BE OPERATING IN A MANNER THAT IS BIPARTISAN AND FOR GOOD OF THE COMMONWEALTH.

>> HOUSE BILL 230 CLEARED THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE WITH MINOR OPPOSITION AND NOW WAITS FOR ACTION BY THE FULL HOUSE MEMBERSHIP.

THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY MAY GAIN THE POWER TO CALL ITSELF INTO SPECIAL SESSION IF VOTERS APPROVE A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ON THIS YEAR'S BALLOT.

TODAY IN SENATE COMMITTEE A BILL LAID OUT THE RULES FOR HOW THE LEGISLATURE MAY DO SO IF THAT AMENDMENT PASSES.

SENATE BILL 88 IS COMPANION LEGISLATION TO THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT AND IS THE SAME AS A MEASURE SENATOR DAVID GIVENS PROPOSED LAST SESSION, THE BILL ALLOWS THE LEGISLATURE TO CALL THEMSELVES INTO SESSION FOR 12 TOTAL DAYS WITH A JOINT PROCLAMATION BY THE HOUSE SPEAKER AND SENATE PRESIDENT, IT ALSO ALLOWS BILLS TO BE QUOTE ACTIVE FOR AN ENTIRE CALENDAR YEAR.

MEANING THE LEGISLATURE COULD PICK UP UNFINISHED WORK RIGHT FROM WHERE THEY LEFT OFF AFTER THE REGULAR SESSION.

SENATOR DAVID GIVEN EXPLAINS THE MEASURE.

>> IN MY TIME DURING THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WHICH WILL SOON BE 13 YEARS, THIS MAY BE THE MOST IMPACTFUL PIECE OF LEGISLATION I COULD EVER HAVE BEEN A PART OF NOT SOLELY THE BILL BY ITSELF BUT A COMBINATION OF HOUSE BILL FOUR THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT AND THIS ENABLING LEGISLATION.

THE REASON I USE THOSE WORDS AND I AM TYPICALLY NOT ONE TO USE EXPRESSIONS LIKE THAT WITHOUT REASON AND MERIT, THE REASON I USE THOSE WORDS IS SO MANY OF THE PIECES OF LEGISLATION THAT WE WORKED ON LAST SESSION AND AGAIN THIS SESSION AROUND WOMEN AND GOVERNOR'S EMERGENCY AUTHORITY COULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED IF WE HAD THE ABILITY TO COME IN THROUGH JOINT PROCLAMATION IN SPECIAL SESSION.

THE WRITERS OF OUR CONSTITUTION OBVIOUSLY FELT LIKE THIS WAS GOING TO BE A POWER THAT AT THAT TIME WITH AN EXECUTIVE CENTRIC LEADERSHIP MODEL WE DIDN'T REALLY NEED, THE PEOPLE, THE CITIZENS OF THE COMMONWEALTH WEREN'T VIEWED TO NEED ACCESS TO THEIR LEGISLATIVE BODY TO COME IN AND RESPOND ON A SHORTER NOTICE THAN WHAT OBVIOUSLY BACK THEN WAS ANNUAL SESSION, I AM SORRY, AN EVERY OTHER YEAR SESSION.

THIS CERTAINLY IN MY MIND STRIKES THE BALANCE OF US MAINTAINING OUR ROLES AS CITIZEN LEGISLATORS, BEING RESPONSIVE TO THE NEEDS OF OUR CITIZENS AND HAVING THE ABILITY TO ACT WHEN OUR CON STITCH ENTS CALL FOR US TO COME INTO SESSION AND ACT.

LEGISLATORS WOULD BE PAID FOR DAYS THEY ARE IN SPECIAL SESSION, BUT NOT FOR VETO DAYS BETWEEN THEM, SENATE MAJORITY LEADER DAMON AT AER SAYS THIS BECAME CLEAR DURING THE EARLY DAYS OF THE COVID PANDEMIC.

>> JUNE AND JULY OF 2020 WE WERE IN THE MIDDLE OF MASK MANDATES AND SHUTDOWNS AND LOCKDOWNS AND THE STATE POLICE CITING PEOPLE FOR GOING TO CHURCH ON EASTER SUNDAY.

THE PEOPLE OF THIS COMMONWEALTH WERE LOSING THEIR MINDS TO EVERY MEMBER TO THIS BODY IS YOU GUYS TO NEED TO DO SOMETHING TO CONTROL THIS OUT OF CONTROL GOVERNOR AND IT WAS IT WAS A CIVICS LESSON A CIVICS LESSON FOR PEOPLE OF THE COMMONWEALTH TO UNDERSTAND WE ARE A PART-TIME LEGISLATURE THAT CAN'T CALL ITSELF IN TO SPECIAL SESSION.

>> SENATE BILL 88 PASSED THE SENATE, STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE 9-1 WITH ONE PASS VOTE AND NOW HEADS TO THE SENATE FLOOR.

KENTUCKY IS THE WORST STATE IN THE COUNTRY FOR CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT.

TODAY, KENTUCKY'S LEGISLATORS TOOK A STEP TOWARD IMPROVING OUTCOMES FOR THE MOST VULNERABLE BYPASSING SENATE BILL 8 OUT OF COMMITTEE.

THE MEASURE SPONSORED BY SENATE MAJORITY CAUCUS CHAIR ROCKY ADAMS SAYS THE OMNIBUS PACKAGE INCORPORATES INPUT FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE, THE CABINET FOR HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES, THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS AND OTHERS TO IMPROVE THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM AND PREVENT CHILD ABUSE.

ROCKY EXPLAINS WHAT SHE CALLS QUOTE ONE OF THE MOST STHABT PORTIONS OF THE BILL.

THIS EXPANDS THE ABILITY TO PROVIDE FAMILY PRESERVATION SERVICES TO CHILDREN WHO ARE AT MODERATE RATHER THAN ACTUAL RISK OF OUT OF HOME PLACEMENT.

THIS IS A KEY PROVISION FOR PREVENTING CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT, OUR LAWS HAVE TO ALLOW FOR THE DPS AND OUR PARTNERS TO WORK WITH FAMILIES BEFORE THE ABUSE AND NEGLECT OCCURS.

SO WITH THIS CHANGE TO MODERATE, THIS IS REALLY SIGNIFICANT BECAUSE WE CAN GET IN THERE AND HELP THIS FAMILY HEAL SO THAT WE CAN KEEP THAT FAMILY WHOLE AND WE CAN HAVE THEM HEAL.

MURRAY SENATOR JASON HOWELL ASKED ADAMS HOW THE MEASURE WOULD PREVENT CHILD ABUSE AND LEAD PEOPLE TO TREATMENT.

>> SO MANY OF THE CASES THAT WE SEE IN THE COURT SYSTEM, I WOULD SAY PROBABLY OFTEN THE CUFF NUMBER 80 PERCENT OR MORE, THE CORE ETIOLOGY OF THIS IS A DRUG ISSUE, AND IT IS GOING TO BE A VERY DIFFICULT CHALLENGE FOR OUR SOCIAL WORKERS TO GO IN ON A PREVENTATIVE MODEL WHERE THEY NEED TO ADDRESS THE DRUG ISSUE WHEN THE PARENTS ARE GOING TO BE NATURALLY DENYING OR HIDING THE UNDERLYING DRUG PROBLEM.

I JUST WONDERED IF THERE WAS ANY DISCUSSION ON HOW TO ADDRESS THE DRUG ABUSE ISSUE THAT IS SO PREVALENT IN THESE.

>> YOU KNOW, AND I THINK THAT TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, NOT SPECIFICALLY BUT GENERALLY, THAT'S PART OF THE REASON FOR THE EXPANSION OF THAT -- TO INCLUDE MODERATE, SO THAT YOU ARE NOT GETTING THEM AT THE ABSOLUTE DEPTHS OF DESPAIR, THAT YOU ARE STARTING -- YOU ARE STARTING TO IDENTIFY THAT FAMILY WHO HAS AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEALED THROUGH ADDICTION RECOVERY SERVICES OR WHAT HAVE YOU, THAT WE CAN START TO RATHER THAN JUST BLOW THE FAMILY UP, HERE WE ARE, WE ARE TRYING TO KEEP THEM TOGETHER, WE ARE GOING TO TRY TO GET THEM TO SERVICES THAT THEY NEED, WE ARE GOING TO TRY TO GET THEM THE HELP THAT THEY NEED, AND I THINK BY OPENING UP THAT DEFINITION TO MODERATE WILL REALLY HELP US START TO INFLUENCE THESE FAMILIES IN A POSITIVE WAY RATHER THAN HAVING THE MOST DRAMATIC OUTCOME FOR THEM, WHICH IS SEPARATION.

>> THE MEASURE SEEKS TO PREVENT ISSUES WITH EARLY INVOLVEMENT FOR AT-RISK FAMILIES, SENATE BILL 8 UPS THE MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT RATE FOR CHILD MEDICAL EVALUATIONS THAT PROVIDE IMPORTANT INSIGHT DURING CHILD ABUSE CASES.

THE CEO FOR FAMILY AND CHILDREN'S PLACE PAM DARNELL EXPLAINS WHY INCREASING THE REIMBURSEMENT RATE IS CRUCIAL TO GET THE SERVICE.

>> THE REGULATION ALSO DOES NOT ALLOW FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF ALL QUALIFIED MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS THAT SERVE CHILDREN AT OUR CHILD ADVOCACY CENTERS.

.. AND THE REIMBURSEMENT RATE FOR ONE OF THESE EXAMS IS $538.

AND AS SENATE ADAMS SAYS, THESE RATES HAVE NOT CHANGED IN 20 YEARS.

>> BUT SENATE BILL EIGHT FIX AS LOT OF THESE ISSUES BY EXPANDING THE SERVICES THAT MEDICAID WILL COVER AT OUR CHILD ADVOCACY CENTERS TO INCREASE THE RATE AND THE TRUE AND ACTUAL COSTS OF THESE MEDICAL EXAMS, TO GIVE YOU ALL AN IDEA OF WHAT THIS MEANS FINANCIALLY FOR CHILD ABUSE, FOR CHILD ADVOCACY CENTERS WITH THESE EXAMS, A TYPICAL EXAM COSTS THE CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER 2,100 DOLLARS PER EXAM.

MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT IS $538.

>> PART OF MY TRAINING IN UK WAS GOING TO THESE CLINICS TO PROVIDE THESE EXAMS, VERY DELICATE EXAMS, VERY CHILDREN WITH CHILDREN AT A YOUNG AGE, DIFFICULT TO DO SOMETIMES WITH, YOU KNOW, THINGS YOU FIND ARE DEVASTATING AND IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE PROVIDE ADEQUATE EXAMS FOR THESE CHILDREN AND OFTEN THOSE EXAMS ARE WHAT LEADS TO THE INFORMATION WE NEED TO PROSECUTE THOSE WHO COMMIT THESE CRIMES AND IT IS IMPORTANT TO GET THESE DONE ACCURATELY AND QUICKLY AND WE HAVE TO PROVIDE THIS TO DO IN THAT, AS THE DIFFICULT TASK SO I COMMEND YOU FOR THAT.

>> THE TYPE OF PEOPLE THAT CAN CONDUCT THE CHILD MEDICAL EXAMINATION IS ALSO BROADENED UNDER BILL 8.

>> THOSE EXITING THE FOSTER SYSTEM WANT EXTENDED COMMIT THROUGH THEIR 21ST BIRTHDAY TO DECLARE IT BEFORE THEY ARE 19, ROCKY ADAMS MEASURE ALLOWS FOSTER CHILDREN UNTIL THEIR 20TH BIRTHDAY TO MAKE THAT DECISION.

I WANT LIVING COORDINATOR TAMARA VEST SAYS THIS EXTRA TIME COULD BE CRUCIAL TO CHILDREN LEAVING THE SYSTEM.

>> THEY CAN EXTEND WHEN THEY ARE 18, THEY CAN LEAVE DURING THAT YEAR AND THEY HAVE ANY TIME UNTIL T THEIR 19TH BIRTHDAY TO MAKE THE DECISION THEY WANT TO COME BACK OR THEY CAN CHOOSE NOT TO EXTEND WHEN THEY ARE 18 AND THEY STILL HAVE THE OPTION TO MAKE THAT DECISION TO RETURN TO CARE BY THEIR 19TH BIRTHDAY.

NOW, I HAVE DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH BEFORE WE DEVELOPED THIS REQUEST, AND OVER HALF OF THE STATES IN THE UNITED STATES ARE ACTUALLY OFFERING SIMILAR TO WHAT WE ARE ASKING FOR, AND WHAT WE ARE ASKING FOR IS THAT THAT TIME PERIOD BE EXTENDED TO THEIR 20TH BIRTHDAY, AND THE REASON FOR THIS IS BECAUSE A LOT OF US HAVE PERSONAL TESTIMONIES WHERE WE BELIEVE THAT THE 19TH BIRTHDAY IS JUST NOT ENOUGH TIME FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE BEEN THROUGH FOSTER CARE SYSTEM TO REALLY GET OUT THERE ON THEIR OWN, MAKE MISTAKES AND REALIZE THAT THEY MAY ACTUALLY NEED SUPPORT.

THE STATUTE SAYS THAT AN INDIVIDUAL WHO RECOMMITS TO THE STATE IS ABLE TO STAY UNTIL THEY ARE 21, SO I AM NOT UNDERSTANDING WHY WE ARE CAPPING THEIR DECISION TO RETURN AT AGE 19, IF YOU HAVE UNTIL YOUR 20TH BIRTHDAY, IF YOU RECOMMIT ON YOUR 20TH BIRTHDAY THAT'S A WHOLE EXTRA YEAR OF SUPPORT YOU RECEIVE WHICH IS VITAL TO THESE YOUNG PEOPLE.

>> THAT IS BILL EIGHT A ALSO GIVES THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FLEXIBILITY TO HELP PREVENT ABUSE BY SHAKING BABY SYNDROME, THE LEADING CAUSE OF CHILD ABUSE IN THE COUNTRY, SENATE BILL 8 PASSED THE SENATE HEALTH AND WELFARE THE COMMITTEE ON A VOTE OF 11-0 AND NOW HEADS TO THE SENATE.

PEOPLE CONVICTED OF INCREST COULD BE DECLARED A VIOLENT OFFENDER IF THE SENATE BILL ON ITS WAY TO THE HOUSE BECOMES LAW.

SENATE BILL 38 WOULD REQUIRE CRIMINALS TO SERVE 85 PARTICIPANT OF THEIR SENTENCE AFTER BEING DUBBED VITAL CRIMINALS TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR PAROLE AS OPPOSED TO THE 50 PERCENT OF THEIR SENTENCE THAT THEY DO CURRENTLY, LOUISVILLE ROCKY ADAMS EXPLAINS THE BILL ON THE SENATE FLOOR.

I RECEIVED SO MANY E-MAILS OF PEOPLE, BECAUSE THIS IS A VERY SILENT SUFFERING THAT VICTIMS OF INCREST GO THROUGH, AND .. ONE E-MAIL IN PARTICULAR SAYS I HEARD THE EXCELLENT NEWS THAT SENATE BILL 38 HAS BEEN FILED.

I WANTED TO REACH OUT AND PERSONALLY THANK YOU.

I AM A SURVIVOR OF INCREST AND MY, INCEST AND MY PERPETRATOR MY FATHER IS SERVING TIME FOR AN INCEST CONVICTION, THIS APRILLY TESTIFY TO THE PAROLE BOARD FOR THE SECOND TIME.

>> A RETRIPLE AT THISSATION THAT, RETRAUMATIZATION THAT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED ..

IT PASSED THE SENATE 33-1 AND NOW MAKES ITS WAY TO THE HOUSE.

AND THE LOWER CHAMBER TODAY, THE KENTUCKY HOUSE PASSED HOUSE BILL 310, IT SAYS DEFENDANTS HAVE TO BE CREDITED FOR THE AMOUNT OF TAME THEY SPEND IN HOME INCARCERATION BEFORE THEIR TRIALS, EVEN IF THEY AREN'T BEING TRACKED USING A GLOBAL MONITORING SYSTEM.

THE BILL'S PRIMARY SPONSOR, REPRESENTATIVE ED MASSEY OF FLORENCE SAYS SOME DEFENDANTS DON'T ALWAYS A GET FULL CREDIT FOR TIME SERVED AT HOME IT IS NOW HEADED TO THE SENATE FOR CONSIDERATION THERE.

>> IT HAS BEEN NEARLY SIX WEEKS SINCE DEADLY TORNADOES RAVAGED WESTERN KENTUCKY AND PROGRESS TOWARD REBUILDING IS UNDERWAY.

AND TONIGHT'S IN DEPTH INTERVIEW SEGMENT BOWLING GREEN STATE REPRESENTATIVE PATTI MENTOR SPOKE TO US ABOUT HOW LIVES AND LIVELIHOODS ARE TRYING TO BE RESTORED, REPRESENTATIVE PATTI MENTOR, THANK YOU FOR STOPPING BY.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME, RENEE.

>> IT IS GOOD TO SEE YOU AND I HAVE TO ASK THE REASON FOR OUR INTERVIEW IS TO CHECK IN ON BOWLING GREEN, SIX WEEKS AFTER THE TORNADOES STRUCK, NOT JUST ONE SPAT OF TORNADOES BUT AGAIN JANUARY 1ST.

>> YES.

>> AND HOW IS THE COUNTY, THE CITY DOING?

>> WELL THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME TO TALK ABOUT THIS.

AND I MUST SAY HAVING ANOTHER TORNADO ON JANUARY 1ST HAS BEEN VERY TRAUMATIZING FOR OUR COMMUNITY, I MEAN, IT IS THE -- AM I EVER GOING TO BE SAFE FEELING, BUT PEOPLE HAVE CONTINUED TO RALLY AND WE CONTINUE TO WORK IN RELIEF, WE ARE STILL HAVING RELIEF ORGANIZATIONS STILL PROVIDING RELIEF TO PEOPLE THROUGH THE FEMA CENTER, BUT -- AND WE ALSO HOSTED FIRST HEY DIFFICULT JILL BIDEN AND GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR AND FIRST LADY TO COME WITH THE RELIEF EFFORTS AND ALSO TO LOOK FORWARD TO RECOVERY ..

SO WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW IN BOWLING GREEN CITY WHICH IS WHERE MOST OF THE TORNADO DAMAGE HAS BEEN, ABOUT 60 TO 65 PERCENT OF THE TORNADO DEBRIS HAS BEEN REMOVED BY THE FEMA TRUCKS, SO THAT IS PROGRESSING, AND WE HOPE THAT WILL BE FINISHED SOON, THAT WILL REALLY MARK THE MOMENT THAT WE CAN START TO FOCUS ON RECOVERY AND REBUILDING, AND JUST PSYCHOLOGICALLY IT IS DONE TO, GOOD JUST SEE A LOT LESS STUFF LYING AT THE CURBS.

>> RIGHT.

BUT YOU SEE CONTRACTORS ARE STARTING TO DO SOME WORK AND IN AREAS WHERE IT IS JUST FIXING HOUSES, SOME WITH MAJOR STRUCTURAL DAMAGE, OTHERS WITH VERY LITTLE BUT YOU SEE THAT PROGRESS, TREES THAT ARE SPLINTERED OR, YOU KNOW, LAND ON HOUSES THOSE HAVE STARTED TO COME DOWN, BUT THE LARGER WORK IS REALLY HELPING THE PEOPLE WHO ARE STILL UNHOUSED, PEOPLE WHO ARE LIVING WITH FAMILIES OR LIVING IN MOTELS.

ARE THEY STILL LIVING IN MOTELS?

>> THEY ARE, THEY ARE STILL LIVING IN MOTELS AND GOVERNOR BESHEAR ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY THAT THEY BEEN BRINGING IN SOME TRAVEL TRAILERS WITH FEMA, SO SORT OF KEEPING VEHICLES.

>> RIGHT.

>> SO PEOPLE CAN USE THOSE IF THEY WISH, BUT IT IS OUR HOPE THAT WE CAN START TO REBUILD SOME OF THE HOUSING THAT HAS BEEN LOST, PARTICULARLY IN AREAS WHERE WE HAVE RENTERS AND WE WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO LET ANYBODY LISTENING KNOW, IF YOU HAVE NOT REGISTERED, IF YOU HAVE HAD DAMAGE AND NOT REGISTERED WITH FEMA YET, YOU NEED TO DO SO, BECAUSE -- >> DEADLINE IS APPROACHING.

>> IT IS, IT IS FEBRUARY 11 AND THERE ARE SOME RELIEF OPPORTUNITIES THAT DO COME BEYOND FEMA YOU HAVE TO BE REGISTERED SO PLEASE DO THAT BEFORE FEBRUARY 11.

>> AND THE ONLY WAY TO DO THAT ONLINE AND WHAT IF PEOPLE ARE NOT EXACTLY CONNECTED?

>> WE WOULD LOVE IF PEOPLE WOULD GO TO FEMA THAT GREENWOOD MALL IN THE OLD SEARS STORE, AND IF YOU NEED A RIDE, REACH OUT TO MY OFFICE OR REACH OUT TO WARREN COUNTY GOVERNMENT AND WE WILL CONNECT YOU TO A RIDE, BUT IT IS REALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT TO GET ON THAT LIST, BECAUSE THERE WILL BE SOME ADDITIONAL RELIEF BUT IT CAN ONLY COME IF THEY KNOW WHO YOU ARE AND HOW TO GET AHOLD OF YOU.

>> DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA OF HOW MANY FAMILIES ARE STILL DISPLACED?

>> WE STILL HAVE ABOUT 200, TWO50 THAT ARE LIVING IN MOTELS, BUT WE HAVE OTHERS WHO ARE NOT PERMANENTLY HOUSED, SO AGAIN KEEPING, GETTING PEOPLE FROM TEMPORARY HOUSING INTO PERMANENT OR SEMI PERMANENT HOUSING AND THEN GETTING THEM INTO PERMANENT HOUSING IS GOING TO BE A REAL CHALLENGE AND WE ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE WHEN WE DO REBUILD WE HAVE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

>> AND DO YOU SEE ANY CHANGES TO THE BUILDING CODES TO MAKE SURE THAT MAYBE THEY ARE MORE RESISTANT?

MAYBE SOME OF THESE HOUSES THAT WERE DESTROYED AND DAMAGED, PERHAPS LITTLE BIT LESS STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY, SHALL WE SAY OF THOSE DWELLINGS.

YES, THAT'S A VERY FAIR STATEMENT, AND I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THAT AND TWO OF OUR CITY COMMISSIONERS, COMMISSIONERS BROWN AND CARLOS DAILY HAVE BROUGHT THAT UP IN BOWLING GREEN COMMISSION ABOUT ADDING THAT TO CODE SO THAT EVERY HOUSE WOULD HAVE, THAT IS BEING BUILT BACK FROM NEW, NOT RESTORED, BUT BUILT BACK FROM NEW, WHICH MEANS THEY WERE TOTALLY DESTROYED, THAT IT WOULD HAVE A SAFE ROOM FOR PEOPLE SO T THEY COULD SURVE A TORNADO, THERE IS NO QUESTION IF THAT KIND OF STRUCTURE HAD BEEN IN PLACE IN THE MACES WHERE WE HAD FATALITIES PEOPLE WOULD STILL BE WITH US TODAY.

>> SCHOOL CHILDREN WHO HAVE SUFFERED SUCH TRAUMA MAYBE WERE IN TRAUMATIC SITUATIONS BEFORE.

>> YES.

>> -- NATURAL DISASTER NOW IT IS EXACERBATED BECAUSE MAYBE THEY ARE DISPLACED AND NOT HOUSED.

HOW -- ARE COW SEEING THE, HOW ARE YOU SEEING THE SCHOOL SYSTEM RESPOND TO THIS SECOND TIER OF TRAUMA?

>> YES, WELL THANK YOU FOR ASKING THAT, IT GIVES ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO LIFT UP AND PRAISE THE BOWLING GREEN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT AND WARREN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS BECAUSE THOSE SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE DONE HEROIC WORK IN HELPING CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN TRAUMATIZED BY THIS AND WHOSE FAMILIES NEED RELIEF.

OUR FAMILY RESOURCE CENTERS HAVE BEEN HEROES, FRISKY OFFICERS ARE DELIVERING FOOD STUDENTS, THEY ARE MAKING SURE THAT THEIR NEEDS ARE MET, CONNECTING THEM TO HOUSING, THEY REALLY ARE TRUE FIRST RESPONDERS.

AND IF YOU IN WARREN COUNTY AND YOU HEAR THIS, WARREN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS DOING RELIEF DRIVING THROUGH RELIEF EFFORTS RIGHT NOW AT THE OLD CUMBERLAND SCHOOL SO IF YOU NEED SOME RELIEF JUST REACH OUT, FOLLOW THEM ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND YOU FIND OUT WHEN THEIR NEXT DRIVE THROUGH EVENT IS, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY HAS WHAT THEY NEED.

>> THE TRAUMATIC TOLL AND MENTAL STRAIN DISASTERS HIKE THE RECENT TORNADOES CAN INFLICT IS HARD TO MEASURE, EVEN FOR THOSE WHO AT THAT TRAINED TO RESPOND TO TRAGIC EVENTS.

A BILL BY REPUBLICAN STATE SENATOR MIKE WILSON OF BOWLING GREEN AIMS TO ADDRESS THE STRESSES OF LAW ENFORCEMENT, FIREFIGHTERS AND OTHERS IN PUBLIC SAFETY ROLES.

A MEASURE READY FOR SENATE FLOOR VOTE WOULD GIVE KENTUCKY'S FIRST RESPONDERS ACCESS TO ADDITIONAL MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT.

SENATE BILL 64 ALLOWS PUBLIC AGENCIES TO CREATE PEER SUPPORT SUPPORT FOR THOSE WHO RISK THEIR LIVES TO SAVE.

>> OUR EMERGENCY SERVICES THAT WE HAVE, THAT,, THAT RESPOND IN THESE ISSUES, TRULY, TRULY ARE EXPOSED TO A LOT OF THINGS THAT CAUSE WHAT WE SEE IS TRAUMA, POST, WHAT IS IT POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS, JUST LIKE IF YOU WERE IN WAR FARE.

>> THE CONTENT OF THE PEER SUPPORT GROUP WOULD REMAIN CONFIDENTIAL UNLESS THE COMMUNICATION CONTAINS THREATS OF SUICIDE OR PHYSICAL HARM OR AN ADMISSION OF CRIMINAL CONDUCT.

BOWLING GREEN'S HUMAN RESOURCE DIRECTOR AARON HALSEY SAYS THE NEED FOR PEER SUPPORT GROUPS CAME EVEN MORE APPARENT AFTER LAST MONTH'S TORNADOES THAT STRUCK WESTERN KENTUCKY.

SHE EXPLAINS THOUSAND GROUPS CAN HELP FIRST RESPONDERS HANDLE THE DAILY STRESSES OF THEIR WORK.

>> BECAUSE OF THIS DRAMATIC DIFFERENCE FROM THE GENERAL POPULATION, MOST MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS DO NOT HAVE THE CAPABILITY TO TREAT FIRST PONDERS WITHOUT THE EXPERIENCE AND FIRSTHAND KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT THEIR LIFE IS LIKE, MOST FIRST RESPONDERS FAIL TO CONNECT WITH WELL-MEANING MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS THAT ARE USED TO WORKING WITH THE GENERAL POPULATION.

>> FIRST RESPONDERS TELL STORIES OF TALKING WITH MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS THAT MANY BECOME EMOTIONAL THEMSELVES DURING THERAPY, AND THEY SIMPLY CANNOT IMAGINE OR EMPATHIZE WITH THE TRAUMA THAT FIRST RESPONDERS EXPERIENCE ON A REGULAR BASIS.

>> FINDING A MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL WITH FIRST RESPONDER EXPERIENCE IS NOT COMMON, WE DON'T HAVE THAT IN BOWLING GREEN, I AM DISAPPOINTED TO TELL YOU ON DECEMBER 11TH, 2021 THE CITY OF BOWLING GREEN DID NOT HAVE A PLAN IN PLACE TO SUPPORT OUR FIRST RESPONDERS AFTER THE HORRIFIC TORNADOES THAT WENT THROUGH OUR CITY.

I AM GRATEFUL THAT WE WERE, WE ARE ON A PATH TOWARDS A PROGRAM WHICH MEANS I DID HAVE CONNECTION TO MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, PEER SUPPORT AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS WITH EXPERTISE IN CRITICAL INCIDENT STRESS RESPONSE.

WE DID THE VERY BEST THAT WE COULD BUT I NEVER WANT OUR POLICE OFFICERS, DISPATCHERS AND FIREFIGHTERS TO GO THROUGH ANOTHER CRITICAL INCIDENT LIKE THAT WITHOUT A PLAN AND A PROGRAM IN PLACE TO HELP EACH OTHER.

SENATE BILL 64 PASSED THE SENATE, STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE 11-0, IT IS THOUSAND WAITING FOR ACTION BY THE FULL SENATE MEMBERSHIP.

THAT IS ALL FOR DAY 16 16 COVERE OF THE 2022 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN REGULAR SESSION.

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT LEGISLATIVE MEETINGS CALL 1-800-633-9650.

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AND YOU FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER TO GET UPDATES THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU AGAIN TOMORROW NIGHT AT 11:00 EASTERN,