>> That constant scrolling autoplay videos, constant push notifications.

The feedback loop is what children get addicted to.

[MUSIC] >> But what a proposed bill in Frankfort really fix the problem.

[MUSIC] He's been all across the airwaves.

He has a podcast.

So what's the next step in Governor Andy Beshear media blitz?

>> So a lot of people who have been used to parking anywhere downtown, they wanted to for free for years and years and years are finding they're coming out of events or restaurants and their car is gone.

>> And how leaders in one city are responding to towing complaints.

>> Production of Kentucky edition is made possible in part by the KET Millennium Fund.

>> Good evening and welcome to Kentucky edition for this Wednesday, February the 18th, I'm Renee Shaw and we thank you for winding down your Wednesday with us.

Many research groups, including the American Psychological Association, agree that frequent social media use is harming the mental health of minors.

As a result, some countries have already banned social media for children under age 16.

House Bill 227, in Kentucky would cause social media accounts belonging to children under age 16 to be deleted and only reinstated with parental consent.

Our Mackenzie Spink brings us the committee discussion around protecting minors online while still protecting their First Amendment rights.

That kicks off tonight's legislative update.

[MUSIC] >> If House Bill 227 passes, children under 16 would have access to social media accounts with parental consent, but their feeds wouldn't look the same.

Large social media companies couldn't implement so-called addictive features like personalized algorithms and push notifications on those minors accounts.

>> The social media platforms are very aware that constant scrolling autoplay videos, constant push notifications, the feedback loop is what children get addicted to.

>> Opponents of the bill argue it would violate the First Amendment rights of the social media companies, as well as minors.

>> Minors do have a constitutional right to access social media, but HB 227 would prohibit platforms from allowing a minor under the age of 16 to have an account unless they obtain parental consent.

When California attempted to ban the sale of violent video games to minors, the court rejected the argument that the law simply enforced parental authority, finding that what it actually did was impose government authority on minors, which a parent could then override.

>> Under House Bill 227, only social media companies with over $1 billion in ad revenue would be affected.

Those platforms would have to use their existing age estimation systems to identify who is under 16 on their sites.

Advocates in the tech industry say it's not possible.

>> Section two requires platforms to estimate users age with 80 to 90% confidence, using only data they already possess, and then restrict accounts accordingly.

There is no commercially available technology that can reliably estimate a user's age from behavioral data alone at that confidence level, to even attempt compliance, platforms will be pressured to collect far more personal data than they currently do.

>> The bill's supporters argue the technology does already exist.

According to testimony from companies like Meta and Google.

>> In terms of the age estimation, my understanding is how it works is within about 170 likes.

Google has admitted that they can identify within a very close age range, how old the user is, based on everything they're already collecting about their users.

And so there's I heard a statistic about a 97% accuracy rate among the tech platforms.

>> Still, Bowes raised concern that the technology was not accurate enough to make claims with high stakes, such as the requirements in House Bill 227.

The bill passed committee favorably, but some supporters of the measure still expressed uneasiness with the bill's effect on privacy and free speech.

>> I've got a lot of concerns with this bill and the details of the bill from privacy, cybersecurity, constitutionality and speech issues.

But I'm voting yes.

I'm done with social media.

I'm done with these manipulative algorithms.

I'm done with the way they treat children.

>> The attorney general's office also testified in favor of the bill.

The AG would be responsible for holding the social media companies accountable if the bill were to become law.

For Kentucky Edition, I'm Mackenzie Spink.

>> Thank you.

Mackenzie.

According to the bill's sponsor, State Representative Matt Lockett, every other piece of legislation in the country has been struck down in court.

He says this bill will be different because it doesn't attempt to legislate the content of a social media platform.

Child advocacy groups are cheering the advancement of a bill touted as foundational to a stronger, more sustainable child care network that is supposed to make it more affordable and more accessible for families.

House Bill six makes reforms on how child care operations are reviewed and graded, and it authorizes small micro facilities.

After overwhelming approval in the House yesterday.

It's now in possession of the Senate.

Lawmakers are also pushing plans to better gauge if students are getting a quality education as they get older.

A plan to improve how school and student performance is evaluated is embodied in House Bill 257.

The measure would reduce state testing, help track individual student growth in education, and adopt a local accountability model that would allow for more engagement with communities.

The Kentucky House passed the bill yesterday, and it's now waiting for Senate action.

And there was some major action around efforts to curb youth vaping that could get a financial boost under a bill being considered in Frankfort and 2024.

Kentucky won a settlement against Juul and other e-cigarette companies for marketing to children.

That money goes straight into the general fund.

Sponsor of Senate Bill 74, Senator Craig Richardson, wants those dollars put towards education and vape prevention for youth in Kentucky.

He was joined in the Senate Health Services Committee by teenagers from the Student Advisory Council who say, they say, or they see their peers vaping all the time.

>> At its core, this is legislation that is about accountability.

Those companies that were involved in these misleading practices and and were litigation found that they had liability.

They should all.

Do their part to allow these funds to go to the education of these youth.

>> And now our students are underperforming in school because they're sneaking out to bathrooms to vape, unable to be the athletes they once were because their damaged lungs can't handle the activity, and they're facing a mental health crisis because Juul promised us that these products were exactly what students like Delaney and me needed to receive to relieve our stress.

>> Senate Bill 74 passed unanimously out of the Senate Health Services Committee today if signed into law.

A total of $6 million over the next few years would be allocated to Youth Tobacco and vape prevention.

Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis says Congress is failure to address the national debt could end up bankrupting the country, and he's urging Kentucky to sign on to a movement to get the nation's fiscal house in order.

The 2024 presidential candidate addressed members of the Kentucky House today, advocating for a balanced budget amendment to the U.S.

Constitution in hopes of lowering the national debt.

Our Emily Sisk was there in Frankfort and has the details.

>> If we want to fix the nation's fiscal trajectory, we need the states to step up and do their constitutional role in Kentucky.

Absolutely has got to be a part of that.

>> Florida Governor Ron DeSantis calling on Kentucky today to join the movement of states advocating for a balanced federal budget.

DeSantis spoke at a House committee meeting backing Representative Jason Petrie's House Concurrent Resolution 45.

This resolution would have Kentucky join the cause for a convention of states.

At that convention, state delegates would convene to write a constitutional amendment requiring a balanced budget.

>> A proposal can be fashioned, and then it can go to the states for ratification.

>> If a convention took place and an amendment was written, at least 38 states would have to vote in favor of ratification.

Adding the amendment to the U.S.

Constitution.

Currently, the United States Congress has the ruling authority over the federal budget, but the Florida governor says he's lost faith in their budget balancing ability.

As the national debt sits at $38 trillion.

>> The reason I'm here is because I don't think Congress is going to fix itself.

We now spend more on interest, on our national debt just to service the debt than we do on national defense.

>> A Lexington Democrat expressed her concerns with the thought of states changing the U.S.

Constitution.

>> I have always understood that the United States Constitution was the supreme document, and anything otherwise would have to go to the Supreme Court of the United States for interpretation.

I am not willing to put our entire country at risk over this, and I think the idea of having a balanced budget is wonderful.

I think we should all aspire to that.

However, that is Congress's duty, and if they are not willing to do that right now, then we need to look at reforms there.

>> Some House Republicans sided with DeSantis, however, saying it was time for the states to step in.

>> I think it's vital that we get behind this.

I don't think it's optional even at this point.

I think where we are in our nation demands that we have some kind of restraint on the federal level.

>> I hope there's no one here that believes a $38 trillion deficit that's growing is sustainable.

It's not.

>> In order to form a nationwide convention, at least 34 states must certify that they're on board right now, DeSantis says 28 states have adopted this resolution.

He explained during a press conference why he wants Kentucky to join in.

>> I think people in Kentucky, you look at the voting history here, they want to rein in Washington.

I believe that that's something that's very popular in Kentucky.

>> No vote was held on House Concurrent Resolution 45 today.

Sponsoring Representative Jason Petrie said he hopes to bring the resolution back for a vote soon for Kentucky Edition.

I'm Emily Sisk.

>> Many thanks, Emily.

A spokesperson with the National Campaign for a Balanced Budget Amendment said even if action were taken now, it could still take 15 years to balance the federal budget.

A bipartisan pair of lawmakers want to expand who can vote in our elections, specifically those formerly incarcerated.

While Governor Andy Beshear restored felon voting rights for some by executive order, the legislature will decide if that policy should outlive this administration.

Our Jeanne Leffler has more.

>> Senate Bill 80 would codify what Andy Beshear has done, and his father, Steve Beshear, did more than a decade ago, restore voting rights for thousands of former felons.

>> And I think that it's time that those individuals are able to get their rights back.

>> These lawmakers hope to amend the state constitution, which says only the governor can restore voting rights.

Senate Bill 80 would ask Kentucky voters if voting rights should be automatically restored.

>> Any any felony except election fraud, violent felony offense, felony sexual offense or criminal offense against a child that those rights would be restored upon your term of imprisonment, probation, and parole.

>> Advocates say this bill and the governor's executive order could go further.

>> So we urge you to delete a list of felony convictions and restore voting rights based on release from incarceration.

>> You do not want any of these restrictions that are currently in the bill to remain correct.

So under your proposal, child rapists who get out would automatically have their voting rights restored.

So they have no yes or no.

They would or they wouldn't under your proposal.

It's simple.

>> Yes.

>> Okay.

Very well.

Thank you, Mr.

Chairman.

>> Marcus Jackson walks those former felons through the voter registration process.

He says effective implementation is key.

>> In Kentucky, we have this great thing called opt out voter registration.

Meaning, when I go to get my license and I'm just simply trying to be a law abiding citizen, do the right thing.

The clerk asked me at that time, would you like to register to vote?

Been voting in my state of conviction, I say yes.

And I've instantly committed a felony if they choose to prosecute me.

>> The Senate, State and Local Government Committee approved the measure.

Senator Chris McDaniel voted against it.

Another voting proposal would limit identifying documents used to vote.

>> Senate Bill 154 is a bill to strengthen our voter ID laws.

>> Voters can present a Social Security card or EBT card at the polls.

This Republican wants to change that.

This Louisville Democrat says less than 200 people use these documents to vote in 2024.

>> What evidence do we have that any of those were fraudulent?

Or what number do we suspect could be, and what evidence supports that?

>> Well, we don't have any active cases right now of voter ID fraud using a Social Security card or a SNAP card.

But we have seen trafficking of Snap cards and EBT cards across Kentucky in various counties.

So it does happen where they're buying and selling those types of IDs.

Social security fraud.

Identity fraud is rampant across the United States, cases in Kentucky as well.

So the the potential for fraud exists.

>> Senate Bill 154 passed the committee with two no votes from Democrats.

It now needs its first floor vote for Kentucky edition.

I'm June Leffler.

>> Thank you June.

And even more developments from Frankfort, a bill that seeks to ensure those receiving mental health services are being treated by an actual human and not AI, is heading to the full House.

House Bill 455 restricts the use of artificial intelligence in therapy.

The bill's sponsor, Republican State Representative Kim Banta of Fort Mitchell, outlined the restrictions for members of the House Committee on Licensing and Occupations today.

She also told committee members that part of the bill was added in response to a case involving an Ohio teen who took his own life after turning to an AI chat bot for emotional support.

>> They can't make independent therapeutic decisions.

It can't directly interact with clients.

It can't generate therapeutic recommendations, and it cannot detect emotions or emotional states.

The sub was to change a little bit of the language so that if you Google hey Google, I'm feeling a little depressed.

What should I do?

And Google says, oh, go for a walk, eat a chocolate candy bar or whatever.

That's not counseling.

This is so that someone in that is in a therapeutic session, a psychologist, psychiatrist, whatever cannot turn on AI, charge $500 for it and then review it and act like he was part of that.

Okay, so I just want a human to interact with other humans when we are dealing with mental illness.

>> The bill passed the committee unanimously.

It now heads to the House floor for action by the full chamber.

And if the Senate passes it and it's signed into law, it would go into effect immediately.

More money is needed to care for some of the most vulnerable Kentuckians.

That was the message today from advocates, families and medical professionals who gathered in Frankfort for the annual childhood cancer awareness rally.

They're calling on lawmakers to allocate more money for pediatric cancer research.

>> We have families that are here today whose children are going through cancer or have passed away from cancer.

This is one of the most important things we can invest in.

A family should never be told there's no cure.

A family should never be told there's no more treatment or that there's no more hope.

And so we invest every year because we believe there will be a day that no family will ever have to hear that again.

>> I started experiencing nausea, vomiting, fevers when I was about nine years old, when migraines started waking me from my sleep around September 2020, my mom reached out, reached out to a neurologist.

She thought it was migraines.

The neurologist thought it was migraines.

It was not migraines.

It was a brain tumor.

Funding is a necessity and it is a necessity because we are all different and all of our bodies are going to react to drugs and treatments in different ways.

And so funding to be able to tailor treatments to individuals and individual cancers is a necessity to support.

>> The federal cuts to Medicaid and the failure to extend tax credits on the exchanges are going to be devastating to families, some of which are going through this.

Most kids going through pediatric cancer get covered on Medicaid, and being covered and staying covered on Medicaid is going to get that much harder.

We're also going to see fewer options out there.

We're going to see specialties closing down.

And our rural hospitals.

>> We have come a lot together, a lot over the years, and it has always been an honor to be in a room with such strong people and strong children, and the parents who fight for their kids.

Please keep fighting.

To our legislators who are working on the budget right now, don't get health care for our kids.

They need it.

>> Kids facing pediatric cancer ought to get our very best.

There shouldn't be a limit on what we're willing to do.

And so to each of you all today, thank you for being here for parents.

I'm sorry it's not right, but we'll try to do better with the next family and the next one and the next one after that.

We care about you.

We love you.

>> Let's show the world what Kentuckians value.

Kids like me, kids like Caroline, kids with cancer.

>> Governor Beshear also signed a proclamation declaring today, February the 18th Childhood Cancer Awareness Day in Kentucky.

Well, the governor has another credit to add to his resume.

Author.

Today, the governor announced he's written a book called Go and Do Likewise How We Heal a Broken Country.

The Kentucky Lantern says the book is expected to be out this fall.

The preorder page says that in the book, the governor shares what his faith has meant to him, and it makes the case that through compassion and kindness, America can begin to heal as a country.

Today's announcement comes after a national media blitz, with the governor appearing on The View and Jon Stewart's The Daily Show.

As speculation continues to grow about whether he will run for president in 2028.

>> I'm Laura Rogers with managing editor of the Bowling Green Daily News.

West, Switek and West want to talk to you about a few of the stories that you all have been covering lately, including the topic of towing the Bowling Green City Commission, voting to change its ordinance concerning towing, and now a lawsuit has also been filed.

Tell us the latest on this situation.

>> Yeah, towing has been a big issue in Bowling Green for a couple of years now.

What happened is we used to have a lot of private parking lots that basically were free game for people to park in, and a couple years ago, some of these companies started coming in and privatizing the lots, basically charging for towing after hours.

And to enforce that, they've used pretty aggressive towing.

So a lot of people who have been used to parking anywhere downtown, they wanted to for free for years and years and years are finding they're coming out of events or restaurants and their car is gone.

And so towing has been a contentious issue, particularly with one towing company that has been getting a lot of complaints online and to city officials called towing.

The city decided that they would reduce the amount that the towing companies could charge quite substantially.

They talk about going from $175 to even $50.

In response, the owners of towing sued the city, saying, basically, you're not able to enforce or charge or tell us what we can charge for towing vehicles.

So it's currently a lawsuit.

The city commission went ahead yesterday and did have a first vote on an ordinance to lower the amount, although they didn't go all the way down to the 50 or $75, they did reduce the amount of various fees that the towing companies could charge.

The courts are going to have to hear this lawsuit and whether the city can even do this.

The city says they can, and they're just looking out for people who have been complaining, as well as a lot of downtown businesses are saying that they're seeing a reduced number of people coming because they're afraid of getting towed.

>> People have complained this is predatory behavior from the towing companies, but their side is, hey, these private companies are hiring us to monitor their parking lots and tow vehicle.

So yeah, we'll have to see how that plays out in the courts for sure.

And then moving to the Warren County Sheriff's Office, there is now a case about a deputy who was suspended, and he is challenging that.

And he's also challenging and running against the current Warren County Sheriff, Brett Hightower.

Tell us more.

This is a case that you all have been following.

>> Sure.

Yeah.

The and I'm sure I'm not going to say this correctly, but his name is Mark and he's a deputy with the Warren County Sheriff's Department for a few years now.

And he got some notoriety.

I want to say, last summer there was a video that went viral.

There was a man here in Bowling Green sitting on his front porch, and he was selling items kind of like a yard sale, but the items were new.

They were in like, original packaging.

This deputy stopped there and was kind of asking questions about it.

The idea was that maybe these items had been stolen.

And so he was kind of looking into it, and the interaction went on for quite a while.

It turns out that this man was apparently using, and his girlfriend were using coupons to buy things at a discount and then reselling them on, on their front porch.

And really, the issue was that this deputy basically stayed on the porch for quite a while, investigating this, even when the person asked them to leave.

And the idea was that maybe there was a violation there of this, this person's rights.

But also there were several other incidents that the sheriff's department alleges shows that he was not doing his job correctly, making mistakes and things like that.

So they suspended him with the idea that they would fire him.

This deputy has asked for a hearing, which a lot of this evidence was presented, and went back and forth.

And he, of course, claims that he made a few mistakes, but not something that rose to the level of being terminated.

No ruling was made on that.

So his fate is up in the air still.

But what makes it, as you said, kind of interesting is he filed a run for sheriff against the incumbent, Brett Hightower.

Of course, the sheriff's department say, you know, that has nothing to do with the fact that we're moving with this disciplinary hearings against him.

It was his job performance.

And they note that, you know, a lot of these things happened before he decided to run for sheriff.

>> And then moving from the Warren County Sheriff's Office to the Warren County Regional Jail, showing their support for legislation that's been filed this session by a local lawmaker, Oaklands state Representative Michael Meredith.

Tell us why the jail is in support of House Bill 557.

>> Under law.

State law the local jails are required to house state inmates, people who are arrested on state charges.

The issue is how much they get reimbursed by the state for housing these inmates.

Now, according to most local jailers, including the one here in Warren County, the amount that they get from the state is doesn't come close to the cost it actually takes to incarcerate somebody in terms of feeding them and providing transportation if needed to court, whatever the case may be.

So this this bill would basically make sure that local jails are compensated, increase the compensation that they're getting for housing these state inmates so that they're not losing money every time they house a state inmate.

Basically, they're passing the cost on to local taxpayers.

>> West, managing editor of the Bowling Green Daily News.

Appreciate your time so much.

Thank you.

>> Thank you so much.

>> Military service means sacrifice, not just for the people who serve, but also their children.

And state lawmakers salute those children every year at the state Capitol.

And tomorrow is Military Kids Day.

They're a day to recognize and educate the children of Kentuckians serving in America's armed forces.

And we'll bring you more about it tomorrow on Kentucky edition at 630 eastern, 530 central, where we inform, connect, and inspire.

We hope that you'll connect with us all the ways you see on your screen, the social media channels at the bottom, and send us an email at the address on the screen, public affairs at Keturah and look for us on the app.

Thanks for watching tonight.

I'm Renee Shaw take really good care and I'll see you tomorrow night.