>> Casey: THE SPOUSES OF FALLEN FIRST RESPONDERS GET A BOOST IN BENEFITS UNDER A HOUSE BILL ON THE WAY TO THE SENATE, CONTRACT ATTORNEYS WORKING FOR THE STATE WILL HAVE CAPPED CONTINGENCY FEES IN A BILL HEARD ON THE SENATE FLOOR, AND HOUSE BILL 1 TO REFORM THE STATE'S ADOPTION AND FOSTER CARE SYSTEM IS HEARD IN COMMITTEE ON DAY 52 OF THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN REGULAR SESSION.

GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "LEGISLATIVE UPDATE."

I'M CASEY PARKER-BELL.

THE SPOUSES OF FIRST RESPONDERS WHO DIE IN THE LINE OF DUTY WILL BE GETTING IMPROVED BENEFITS UNDER A BILL HEADING TO THE SENATE.

THOSE SPOUSES WILL SEE AN INCREASE IN BENEFITS FROM 25 PERCENT TO 75 PERCENT OF THEIR MONTHLY AVERAGE PAY UNDER HOUSE BILL 185.

>> HOUSE BILL 185 ALSO KNOWN AS THE LINE OF DUTY DEATH BENEFITS BILL, THIS BILL WILL HAVE AN IMPACT ON ALL OF THOSE THAT HAVE SERVED US AND HAVE PAID THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE BY GIVING THEIR LIVES IN THE LINE OF DUTY.

THIS BILL WILL PROTECT THE SPOUSES THAT ARE -- THAT REMAIN BY ENSURING THAT THEY ARE TAKEN CARE OF BY US BY INCREASING THEIR BENEFITS THAT THEY CURRENTLY HAVE FROM 25%, WHICH IS A SURVIVAL BENEFIT, TO 75%.

IT WILL ALSO ENSURE THAT THEY RECEIVE A HEALTH AND THAT THEIR DEPENDENT CHILDREN RECEIVE A HEALTH INSURANCE POLICY AS WELL.

CURRENTLY AFTER ANYBODY THAT HAS MADE THE SACRIFICE AFTER 2003, THEY WOULD BE GIVEN A DOLLAR AMOUNT TOWARDS THAT INSURANCE.

THAT DOLLAR AMOUNT WILL BE REMOVED AND THIS WILL PROVIDE FULL INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR THAT SURVIVING SPOUSE AND DEPENDENT CHILDREN UNTIL THEY ARE NO LONGER ELIGIBLE UNDER CURRENT GUIDELINES TO BE A DEPENDENT ON THEIR PARENTS' INSURANCE.

>> Casey: IF THE SPOUSE OF A FALLEN SERVICE MEMBER REMARRIES, THOSE BENEFITS WILL BE REDUCED FROM 75 PERCENT BACK TO THE CURRENT LEVEL OF 25 PERCENT OF MONTHLY PAY.

VERSAILLES REPRESENTATIVE JAMES KAY SAYS THAT NUMBER SHOULD NOT BE REDUCED.

HE ASKED BILL SPONSOR JOHN BLANTON ABOUT THE REDUCTION IN BENEFITS UPON MARRIAGE, AND BLANTON SAID THAT HE WAS IN FAVOR OF KEEPING BENEFITS INTACT BUT SAYS THE THOUGHT BEHIND THE BILL WAS ONCE A FORMER SPOUSE MARRIES, THERE WOULD BE ANOTHER BREADWINNER IN THE HOUSEHOLD.

KAY SPOKE ON AN AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL 185.

>> I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE SOME ISSUES.

IT'S MY PERSONAL OPINION THAT IF YOU LOSE YOUR SPOUSE IN THE LINE OF DUTY, THEN YOU SHOULD BE ENTITLED TO THOSE BENEFITS REGARDLESS.

I THINK THAT THIS AMENDMENT ENCOURAGED PEOPLE, ENCOURAGES PEOPLE THAT ARE IN HARD CIRCUMSTANCES TO HESITATE AND MAYBE NOT MOVE ON WITH THEIR LIFE, MAYBE NOT GET REMARRIED IF THAT'S SOMETHING THAT THEY SO CHOOSE TO DO OR MAYBE KEEP UP THE APPEARANCE OF A RELATIONSHIP WHERE THEY WORE WISE WOULD HAVE GONE ON TO REMARRY BUT THEY DON'T BECAUSE THEY NEED THESE BENEFITS, AND SO I HESITATE BECAUSE I UNDERSTAND THE GRAVITY OF THIS SITUATION, BUT I'M INCLINED TO BE AGAINST THIS FLOOR AMENDMENT BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT IF YOUR SPOUSE DIES IN THE LINE OF DUTY, YOU SHOULD RECEIVE ALL THEIR BENEFIT REGARDLESS OF YOUR FUTURE BECAUSE YOUR FUTURE HAS BEEN ALTERED AND TAKEN AWAY FROM YOU BECAUSE OF THE WORK THEY DID FOR THE GREAT PEOPLE OF KENTUCKY.

>> Casey: HOUSE BILL 185 SPONSOR JOHN BLANTON CLARIFIED THAT THE FLOOR AMENDMENT WAS A PROTECTION FOR SPOUSES WHO COULD LOSE A LOVED ONE AFTER JULY 1, 2018.

SPOUSES AFTER THAT DATE WOULD NOT HAVE RECEIVED ANY BENEFITS UPON REMARRIAGE WITHOUT THE AMENDMENT.

THE AMENDMENT PASSED THE HOUSE FLOOR, AND BLANTON, WHO SERVED FOR THE KENTUCKY STATE POLICE, CALLED POLICE OFFICERS A "FAMILY."

HE SAYS THE BILL WAS PRODUCED BECAUSE OF ITS IMPORTANCE TO THE FAMILIES OF FOUR FALLEN KENTUCKY POLICE OFFICERS, WHO RECEIVED A STANDING OVATION FROM LEGISLATORS DURING THE DISCUSSION OF HOUSE BILL 185.

>> YESTERDAY END OF FUNERAL OF OFFICER SCOTTY HAMILTON IN PIKE COUNTY WITH HIS WIDOW CHELSEA AND NINE-MONTH-OLD BRENNON LEE, AND I WATCHED A BEAUTIFUL PROCESSION PASS BY.

I THOUGHT ABOUT HOW THAT EVERYBODY WAS THERE AND EVERYBODY SURROUNDED THIS FAMILY DURING THIS TIME OF LOSS, AND IT WAS VERY BEAUTIFUL.

WE ALL WOULD SAY THAT WE CAN PUT ON A VERY NICE FUNERAL, AND WE DO.

THEY DESERVE IT.

THEY'VE EARNED IT.

AND I THOUGHT, AS THAT HEARSE ROLLED BY, WE'RE HERE FOR THEM TODAY, BUT WHAT ABOUT WHEN THEY GO HOME?

CHELSEA DOESN'T NEED TO WORRY ABOUT HOW SHE'S GOING TO RAISE THIS BABY.

ASHLEY AND AMY AND REBECCA, THEY DON'T NEED TO WORRY ABOUT THOSE THINGS.

THEIR SPOUSES GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR EVERY ONE OF US THAT WE COULD LAY DOWN SAFETY NIGHT.

WE OTTO TO THEM TO TAKE CARE OF THEM.

SO IN THIS BILL IT ALSO INCLUDES THE LANGUAGE THAT WILL FIX THE ISSUE THAT ASHLEY HAS BEEN FACING WITH THE PAPERWORK.

IT'S RETROACTIVE BACK TO JANUARR THAT TO EVER HAPPEN AGAIN IS COVERED IN THIS LANGUAGE.

NOBODY ELSE WILL HAVE TO GO THROUGH WHAT ASHLEY HAS HAD TO GO THROUGH WITH THIS.

>> Casey: IF THERE IS NO SURVIVING SPOUSE, DEPENDENT CHILDREN WILL RECEIVE A PERCENTAGE OF THE FIRST RESPONDER'S MONTHLY PAY.

THE TOTAL IS 50 PERCENT FOR ONE DEPENDENT CHILD, 65 PERCENT FOR TWO AND 75 PERCENT FOR THREE OR MORE.

THE MONTHLY PAY IS EQUALLY SPLIT AMONG THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN.

A NUMBER OF REPRESENTATIVES SHARE BLANTON'S PASSION FOR HELPING THE FAMILIES OF FALLEN FIRST RESPONDERS.

LOUISVILLE REPRESENTATIVE JIM WAYNE EXPRESSED HIS SUPPORT FOR WHAT HE CALLED A LONG OVERDUE BILL.

>> I THINK THIS IS A BILL THAT IS IS LONG OVERDUE.

SEVERAL OF YOU WANT A YU NEARS BACK THAT THERE WAS A SOCIAL CASEWORKER WHO WAS MURDERED IN THE LINE OF DUTY, AND I THINK WE HAVE TO RECOGNIZE THAT THE PEOPLE IN OUR CABINET THAT DEAL WITH THE CHILD ABUSE CASES ARE PEOPLE THAT ARE VERY VULNERABLE.

THEY ARE SUBJECT TO AS MUCH DANGER AS MANY OF THE PEOPLE IN THE STATE POLICE, AND I REALLY THINK THAT THE FACT THAT THIS IS BROADLY COVERED IS VERY WISE.

THERE'S ONE FLAW WITH THE BILL, AND THAT IS THAT IT DOES NOT COVER THE WIDOWS AND WIDOWERS AND THEIR DEPENDENTS BEFORE THE DATE OF ENACTMENT OF THE BILL, AND THE SPONSOR AND I HAVE TALKED ABOUT THIS.

ALREADY THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE SUFFERED FROM MINIMAL INCOME WITH THE RESULT OF A DEATH OF THEIR SPOUSE FOR YEARS AND HAVE BEEN LIVING THAT WAY WITH MINIMAL INCOME, AND WE'RE NOT ABLE AT THIS POINT, ACCORDING TO THE SPONSOR, TO COVER THOSE PEOPLE.

BUT I HOPE IN THE PAST WE CAN LOOK AT AND RETROACTIVELY COVER MANY OF THESE PEOPLE BECAUSE THEY HAVE SPENT DOUBLE SUFFERING, NOT ONLY THE GRIEVING OF THEIR SPOUSE OR THEIR PARENT BUT ALSO THE FACT THAT THEY'VE HAD TO STRUGGLE FINANCIALLY.

>> Casey: HOUSE BILL 185 PASSED THE HOUSE 89 TO ZERO AND HEADS TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CAPITOL FOR CONSIDERATION BY THE SENATE.

THE HOUSE HEARD PLENTY OF DISCUSSION ON REPRESENTATIVE ADAM KOENIG'S HOUSE BILL 465.

KOENIG'S BILL REORGANIZES STATE OCCUPATIONAL BOARDS, AND SET STANDARDS FOR THEM, INCLUDING BOARDS LIKE THE KENTUCKY BOARDS OF DENTISTRY, SOCIAL WORK AND HOME INSPECTORS.

THE BOARDS ARE ORGANIZED UNDER DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS AND ARE SUBJECT TO REVIEW.

REPRESENTATIVE KOENIG EXPLAINED HIS BILL ON THE HOUSE FLOOR.

>> THERE IS SOME STANDARDIZATION THAT TAKES PLACE IN THIS BILL WITH REGARDS TO THESE BOARDS.

WE MAKE -- WE ALIGN A LOT OF THE MEMBERSHIP, WE MAKE STANDARD A THREE-YEAR TERM, WE REQUIRE THAT FOR THE PURPOSES OF MAKING SURE THAT EVERYTHING'S DONE PROPERLY WITH REGARDS TO COMPLAINTS AGAINST MEMBERS, THAT EACH COMMITTEE HAVE -- I'M TRYING TO FIND THE COMPACT WORDS IN HERE -- A DISCIPLINARY REVIEW COMMITTEE.

WE REQUIRE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR APPROVAL BEFORE PROMULGATING ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS.

WE KEEP A REGISTER OF LICENSES AND, WELL, ABOUT A DOZEN OTHER THINGS.

>> Casey: A NUMBER OF DEMOCRAT REPRESENTATIVES ROSE TO VOICE CONCERN OVER HOUSE BILL 465.

REPRESENTATIVES JIM WAYNE AND SUSAN WESTROM SPOKE ON HOW OVERSIGHT BOARDS HAVE WORKED TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC.

>> IT'S ON THE WAY THAT SOMEONE IS ATTEMPTING TO STREAMLINE BUREAUCRACY FOR THE SAKE OF BUSINESS.

WELL, LET ME SAY THAT'S NOT STREAMLINING, WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT PROFESSIONALS THAT HAVE TO DO IN THEIR EVERYDAY WORK WITH LIFE-AND-DEATH DECISIONS.

AND SO WE HAVE TO RECOGNIZE THAT THIS IS A BLANKET LAW THAT APPLIES TO MANY, MANY DIFFERENT KINDS OF PROFESSIONS, AND IT IS SOMEWHAT DISRESPECTFUL OF THE HISTORY AND THE TRADITIONS WE HAVE HAD IN DIFFERENT PROFESSIONS THAT HAVE COME BEFORE THIS BODY AND ESTABLISHED THEMSELVES WITH BOARDS OF OVERSIGHT AND LICENSURE.

>> THEY WANT TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC.

THEY WANT TO BE ABLE TO CLARIFY THEIR PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS AND THEIR SCOPE OF PRACTICE.

AND THEY DO THIS AFTER INTENSE TESTIMONY AND OFTENTIMES A LOT OF CONFLICT FROM ANOTHER PROFESSION.

BUT THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS HAS ALLOWED US TO NAIL DOWN WHAT IS APPROPRIATE FOR ONE PROFESSION AND WHAT IS APPROPRIATE FOR ANOTHER PROFESSION >> Casey: HOUSE BILL 465 PASSED THE HOUSE 47 TO 33 AND WILL NOW HEAD TO THE SENATE FOR CONSIDERATION.

THE HOUSE ALSO PASSED HB 207, WHICH ALLOWS ATTORNEYS TO HAVE CELL PHONES IN DETENTION FACILITIES, AND HB 356 THAT PROHIBITS SEX OFFENDERS WITH OFFENSES AGAINST MINORS FROM LIVING IN THE SAME RESIDENCE AS ONE.

OVER IN THE SENATE, CONTRACT ATTORNEYS HIRED BY STATE CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS WILL FACE LIMITS ON THE CONTINGENCY FEES THEY CAN RECEIVE UNDER A MEASURE APPROVED BY THE CHAMBER TODAY.

SENATOR WHITNEY WESTERFIED EXPLAINS THE GOALS OF HOUSE BILL 198.

>> THE PILL SETS FORTH AMONG OTHER THINGS REQUIREMENTS FORE CONTRACTORS THAT ARE ENTERED INTO MY BUY CONTRACT FROM THE AG TO ANY OTHER CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICE, WHICH IS A CHANGE FROM PRIOR YEARS.

IT PUTS IN PLACE A FEE CAP ON THOSE CONTINGENCY FEE AGREEMENTS THAT MAXIMIZES THE RETURN TO THE INJURED KENTUCKIANS THAT BENEFIT FROM ANY SETTLEMENT TO THE GENERAL FUND.

>> Casey: THE BILL ORIGINALLY FOCUSED ON OUTSIDE COUNSEL HIRED BY THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL, BUT THE MEASURE WAS LATER AMENDED TO INCLUDE ATTORNEYS HIRED BY ANY CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICER.

IN SPEAKING AGAINST THE NEW RULES, DEMOCRATIC SENATOR RAY JONES SAID THAT THE BILL WOULD IMPEDE THE DUTIES AND AUTHORITIES OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND WOULD THEREFORE BE UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

JONES ALSO WARNED THAT THE BILL WOULD MAKE IT HARDER FOR THE STATE TO HIRE EXPERT COUNSEL FOR MAJOR CIVIL CASES, ESPECIALLY THOSE BEING PURSUED BY ATTORNEY GENERAL ANDY BESHEAR AGAINST PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES THAT MAKE PRESCRIPTION PAINKILLERS TIED TO THE OPIOID CRISIS.

>> IN SOME OF THE RECENT REQUESTS FOR PROPOSALS THAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS SUBMITTED OR HAS ISSUED, THERE HAVE BEEN A LARGE NUMBER OF QUALIFIED, SKILLED LAW FIRMS THAT SIMPLY WILL NOT BID BECAUSE OF THE FEAR OF THESE TYPES OF CAPS.

NO FIRM IS GOING TO INVEST THE KIND OF MULTI-MILLION DOLLARS IN EXPENSES THAT IT TAKES TO GO AFTER ONE OF THOSE BIG CORPORATIONS SIMPLY WHEN THE RECOVERY IS GOING TO BE LIMITED.

KEEP IN MIND, THESE CONTINGENCY FEE AGREEMENTS REQUIRE THE LAW FIRMS TO ADVANCE MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF COSTS, AND THE BENEFIT TO THE PARE IS THIS, IF THERE'S NO RECOVERY, THE TAXPAYERS ARE NOT ON THE HOOK FOR MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN EXPENSES THAT WILL BE OUTLAID.

BUT YET, KENTUCKY'S CITIZENS ARE BEING DENIED ACCESS TO THE SAME QUALITY OF COUNSEL THAT THE CORPORATE ATTORNEYS THAT REPRESENT COMPANIES LIKE MCKESSON ARE ENTITLED TO.

THE INTERESTING THING IS THERE'S NO LIMIT ON HOW MUCH AN ATTORNEY CAN BE PAID THAT WORKS FOR ONE OF THESE BIG CORPORATIONS.

IN FACT WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK COULD BE ENTIRE LAW FIRMS OR MULTIPLE LAW FILMS WITH TEAMS OF LAWYERS THAT WOULD HAVE BE LITIGATING IN OPPOSITION TO THE ATTORNEY'S ON BEHALF OF THE COMMONWEALTH.

AND NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE FACT THAT THESE CORPORATIONS HAVE MASSIVE RESOURCES WHEN COMPARED TO THE ATTORNEYS THAT HAVE THE GUTS TO TAKE THEM ON.

SO I WOULD ENCOURAGE THE MEMBERS TO JOIN ME IN OPPOSING THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION.

NONE OF US WANTS TO SEE EXORBITANT FEES PAID, BUT WE ALSO DON'T WANT TO TIE THE HANDS OF ATTORNEY GENERAL TO PRECLUDE THEM FROM GETTING THE BEST ATTORNEYS THAT THEY CAN.

>> Casey: WESTERFIELD SAID A SENATE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE ADDRESSES CONCERNS RAISED IN A RECENT FRANKLIN CIRCUIT COURT RULING BY MAKING CONTRACTS FOR OUTSIDE COUNSEL HIRED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SUBJECT TO THE STATE'S MODEL PROCUREMENT CODE.

SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS ALSO ADDRESSED THE CONSTITUTIONALITY QUESTION BY PULLING OUT HIS POCKET COPY OF THE STATE'S FOUNDING DOCUMENT.

>> I HEARD THE SENATOR FROM PIKE SAYING THAT THE COURT HERE IN FRANKLIN COUNTY SAID WE COULDN'T LIMIT COMMON LAW POWERS, BUT I WOULD DIRECT EVERYONE'S ATTENTION TO SECTIONS 91 AND 93 OF THE CONSTITUTION WHICH SAYS "THE DUTIES OF OFFICERS DESCRIBING THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SHALL BE THOSE THAT MAY BE PRESCRIBED BY LAW."

WE HAVE MORE THAN THE AUTHORITY AS SET OUT BY THE CONSTITUTION, WHICH IS THE THING THAT CONTROLS ALL ACTIONS WITHIN THIS STATE.

FURTHER, SECTION 93 AGAIN IT DESCRIBES THE DUTIES, AND THOSE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND OTHER CONSTITUTIONAL STATE OFFICERS SHALL BE PRESCRIBED BY LAW.

SO THERE IS NO DOUBT BY CONSTITUTION THE HIGHEST LAW IN OUR STATE THAT WE HAVE THE RIGHTS AND ABILITIES AND THE AUTHORITY TO DO SUCH AN ACT LIKE THIS.

>> Casey: HOUSE BILL 198 PASSED THE SENATE ON A LARGELY PARTY LINE VOTE, 26 TO 12, AND NOW RETURNS TO THE HOUSE FOR CONCURRENCE.

A 2017 STUDY BY THE WEBSITE WALLETHUB FOUND THAT KENTUCKIANS RANKED 48TH IN THE NATION IN TERMS OF FINANCIAL LITERACY.

A MEASURE THAT CLEARED THE SENATE TODAY HOPES TO ADDRESS THAT ISSUE BY MANDATING FINANCIAL LITERACY TRAINING FOR THE STATE'S PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS.

IN EXPLAINING HOUSE BILL 132, SENATOR MAX WISE SAID LIMITED FINANCIAL KNOWLEDGE COSTS THE STATE MONEY BECAUSE IT MEANS MORE PEOPLE FILE FOR BANKRUPTCY, NEED STATE ASSISTANCE AND CAN'T FULLY CONTRIBUTE TO THE ECONOMY.

>> AND THE LACK OF FINANCIAL LITERACY IS COSTING OUR STATE MONEY.

WHEN PEOPLE ARE DEEP IN CONSUMER DEBT, THEY TEND TO FILE BANKRUPTCY MORE OFTEN, THEY'RE MORE LIKELY TO NEED STATE ASSISTANCE AND THEY CERTAINLY NOT ADDING TO A ECONOMY WHEN THEY'RE THEY SPEND THE MAJORITY OF THEY ARE INCOME IN INSURANCE PAMES.

A FULL UNDERRING OF FINANCIAL LITERACY, THOSE WHO MAKE A MEAGER LIVING NEED THE KNOWLEDGE OF FINANCIAL WRIT LEASE MORE THAN ANY OTHER.

AND PEOPLE WILL EITHER MANAGE THEIR MONEY OR THEIR MONEY WILL MANAGE THEM AND IT'S TIME THAT WE EQUIP OUR YOUTH WITH THE TOOLS TO AVOID A CATASTROPHIC ASSOCIATES WITH IGNORANCE HOW FINANCES ACTUALLY WORK.

SO WHAT HOUSE BILL 132 IS AMENDED BY THE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE WOULD ALLOW THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO DEVELOP STANDARDS THAT CAN BE INCLUDED WITH EXISTING CLASS TIME.

THIS WOULD INCLUDE MATH CLASSES, HOME ECONOMIC CLASSES, AND EVEN EXTRACURRICULAR ORGANIZATIONS LIKE JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT, SO LONG AGS THEY MEET THE STANDARD AND THE STUDENTS CAN PASS THE CLASS.

SOME OF THOSE STANDARDS TO BE TAUGHT WOULD BE SAVINGS BUDGETING, CONSUMER DEBT, COMPOUNDING INTEREST, CREDIT SCORES, DIVERSIFICATION, AND SO MUCH MORE IN DIFFERENT AREAS.

>> Casey: WISE SAID THE MEASURE WILL NOT BE AN UNFUNDED MANDATE ON SCHOOLS.

HE SAID THE BILL DIRECTS THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO PROVIDE FUNDS TO THOSE SCHOOLS THAT CAN'T OTHERWISE AFFORD TO IMPLEMENT FINANCIAL LITERACY TRAINING IN THEIR EXISTING CLASSES.

ELIZABETHTOWN DEMOCRAT DENNIS PARRETT SPONSORED SIMILAR LEGISLATION LAST YEAR.

>> I BELIEVE THAT THIS BILL WILL HAVE MORE IMPACT ON THE FUTURE OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY THAN MOST OF THE BILLS THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE ON THIS FLOOR THIS YEAR, AND THAT IMPACT IS GOING TO BE FOR A LONG, LONG TIME.

AS WAS SAID, WE RANK VERY, VERY LOW IN FINANCIAL LITERACY, BUT IT'S NOT JUST OUR KIDS, IT'S ALSO THEIR PARENTS, AND MANY GENERATIONS IF WE DON'T DO SOMETHING.

>> Casey: SENATOR BRANDON SMITH, A REPUBLICAN FROM HAZARD, SAID MANY OTHER STATES ALREADY REQUIRE FINANCIAL LITERACY TRAINING AND IT'S TIME KENTUCKY FOLLOWED SUIT.

>> WE HAVE WATCHED MANY OTHER STATES LEAD IN THIS FIELD WITH PROGRAMS LIKE MOMMY'S PURSE THAT HAS A BASICS UNDERSTANDING OF HELPING THESE CHILDREN KNOW WHAT BALANCING A CHECKING ACCOUNT IS.

SOME OF THE OTHER STATES WE HAVE BANKS CAN REACH OUT AND THEY ACTUALLY HELP A CHILD WHEN THEY'RE STILL IN SCHOOL SET UP THEIR OWN CHECKING ACCOUNT, THEY ACTUALLY HELP GIVE THEM $100 TO GET IT STARTED, AND THE KIDS CAN DO EVERYTHING AT SCHOOL THAT THEY WOULD NORMALLY DO IN A BANK AS THEY GET OLDER EXCEPT MAKE A WITHDRAWAL, AND IN THAT CASE THE PARENT HATS TO TAKE THEM.

WHAT OTHER STATES HAVE SHOWN IS THAT VERY OVEN THESE CHILDREN WITH THE FINANCIAL LITERACY THEY LEARN IN SCHOOL TRANSPIRES TO HELP TEACH THEIR PARENTS BETTER MANAGEMENT SKILLS OVER THEIR OWN CHECKING ACCOUNT.

AND I THINK AMAZING TO SEE KENTUCKY BEGIN TO PURSUE THIS BECAUSE I DO THINK FINANCIAL LITERACY IS SO FOREIGN FOR US, IT'S SO IMPORTANT FOR A LOT OF SINGLE MOTHERS THAT ARE TRYING TO RAISE CHILDREN ON THEIR OWN, AND THEY'RE LIGHTING HOW WILL I POSSIBLY MANAGE TO HAVE FUND FOR THIS CHILD TO GO TO SCHOOL.

I HOPE THAT WE GO ALL THE WAY AND HAVE THE CLASSES THAT ARE GOING TO BE AVAILABLE WHERE YOU BRING IN BANKING AND EDUCATION WITH SINGLE MOTHERS TO HELP THEM FIGURE OUT THE BEST STRATEGY FOR HOW TO MANAGE THEIR HOUSEHOLD AND THE DOLLARS THAT THEY HAVE TO CREATE AS MUCH OPPORTUNITY FOR THEIR HOUSEHOLDS AS THEY CAN.

>> Casey: THE SENATE GAVE FINAL PASSAGE TO HOUSE BILL 132 ON A VOTE OF 35 TO 3.

THE SENATE ALSO APPROVED SENATE BILL 231 THAT CREATES THE WORK READY KENTUCKY SCHOLARSHIP AND HOUSE BILL 69 RELATING TO MANAGED CARE NETWORKS FOR MEDICAID WHICH WILL NEED HOUSE APPROVAL WITH AN APPROVED SENATE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE AND FLOOR AMENDMENT.

IN THE SENATE HEALTH AND WELFARE COMMITTEE, HOUSE BILL 1 WAS SENT TO THE SENATE FLOOR.

REPRESENTATIVE DAVID MEADE'S BILL REFORMS THE STATE'S FOSTER CARE AND ADOPTION SYSTEMS.

THE BILL WAS CREATED THROUGH A BIPARTISAN HOUSE WORK GROUP AND IS SUPPORTED BY KENTUCKY FIRST LADY GLENNA BEVIN, WHO WAS IN ATTENDANCE AT THE COMMITTEE MEETING.

HOUSE BILL 1 SETS TIMELINES FOR TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS AND COURT APPEALS TO THAT TERMINATION.

MEADE SAYS HOUSE BILL 1 IS THE WORK OF MANY DIFFERENT GROUPS.

FIRST THING THAT WE DO IS WE KNOW THAT REFORM THIS SYSTEM IS NOT GOING TO BE DONE IN ONE SIMPLE BILL OR EVEN ONE SESSION, SO IT WILL BE ONGOING.

THIS BILL IS SIMPLY A START AND, OF COURSE, THE ISSUE THAT WE ARE FACING OF THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN COMING INTO FOSTER CARE IS ALARMING, AND THESE CHILDREN OUR FUTURE AND WE WANT TO DO WHAT WE CAN AND WHAT IS BEST FOR THOSE CHILDREN.

AND THAT'S WHY WE ESTABLISHED A NEW STACH HERO COMMITTEE WITHIN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ENTITLED THE CHILD WELFARE OVERSIGHT AND ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

COMMITTEE WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING THAT ALL PARTIES INVOLVED IN FOSTER CARE AND ADOPTION ARE DOING WHAT IS ABSOLUTELY BEST FOR EACH CHILD IN EACH CASE.

NEXT, BEE ESTABLISH A MORE INDEPENDENT OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN WITHIN THE CABINET FOR HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES.

NOW, WHEN WE DO THIS THE OMBUDSMAN WILL STILL BE UNDER THE SECRETARY, WILL STILL 90 CABINET.

HOWEVER THEY WILL BE MORE INDEPENDENT TIM LAR TO THE WHAT THE INSPECTOR GENERAL'S OFFICE IS.

ONE THING THAT IS DIFFERENT IN THIS IS THAT IF THERE IS A CONFLICT OR A COMPLAINT AGAINST A CABINET EMPLOYEE, THE OMBUDSMAN WOULD THEN REPORT TO THE OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL AND THE INSPECTOR GENERAL WOULD MAKE A DETERMINATION THEN IF THERE NEEDS SOB TOM SIPE OF INVESTIGATES GOES TO FORWARD.

>> Casey: HOUSE BILL 1 CREATES A GROUP TO STUDY PRIVATIZING KENTUCKY'S FOSTER CARE SYSTEM.

MEADE SAYS THE SYSTEM IS CURRENTLY 56 PERCENT PRIVATIZED AND THE GOAL IS TO LOWER CASELOADS.

SENATOR REGGIE THOMAS ASKED HOUSE BILL 1 CO-SPONSOR AND FELLOW DEMOCRAT JONI JENKINS HER THOUGHTS ABOUT THE POSSIBLE PRIVATIZATION.

SECTION 46, IT TALKS ABOUT THE REVIEW OF PRIVATIZATION OF FOSTER CARE.

SPEAK TO THAT TO BEE ME BECAUSE I GUESS MY BIC BIGGEST FEAR IS IF WE DO PRIVATIZE FOSTER CARE SERVICES, THAT SOMEHOW THE AMOUNT OF FUNDS THAT WILL BE AVAILABLE TO FOSTER CARE PARENTS MIGHT NOTE BE ENOUGH TO CARE FOR THE CHILD.

>> IT TOOK ME A LITTLE WHILE TO GET COMFORTABLE WITH THE PRIVATIZATION LANGUAGE.

THIS IS ONLY A STUDY, AND THE CABINET WOULD REPORT BACK TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WITH THEIR FINDINGS FROM THE STUDY.

WE KNOW THAT IT'S WORKING VERY WELL IN MANY OTHER STATES.

AS REPRESENT HIV MEADE SAID, 56% OF OUR CARE IS DONE BY PRIVATE AGENCIES.

REPRESENTATIVE MEADE.

I WAS ONE THAT HEARD FROM MANY SOCIAL WORKERS THAT SAID "ARE YOU GETTING RID OF OUR JOBS?"

OUR CASELOAD IN KENTUCKY ARE JUST UNREASONABLE, AND THIS COULD BE, IF WE RECEIVE THE STUDY AND CHANGES ARE MADE, THIS COULD BE A WAY TO LOWER THOSE CASEWORKERS -- CASELOADS FOR OUR WORKERS.

>> Casey: THE BILL ALSO ADDRESSES THE NUMBER OF BABIES BORN IN KENTUCKY WITH NEONATAL ABSTINENCE SYNDROME.

HOUSE BILL 1 EXPANDS THE DEFINITION OF CHILD ABUSE TO INCLUDE PREGNANT WOMEN WHO EXPOSE THE FETUS TO DRUGS.

REPRESENTATIVE MEADE SPOKE SPECIFICALLY ABOUT THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC AFFECTING THE STATE.

>> AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN RATHER DISTURBING TO ME AS I'VE GONE THROUGH AND TO LEARN ABOUT THIS ISSUE, IS NEONATAL ABSTINENCE SYNDROME, I'VE HAD TO WATCH SEVERAL VIDEOS OF DRUG ADDICTED BABIES, AND THAT FOR ME HAS BEEN HEARTBREAKING BUT THE WITH DRUG EPIDEMIC CONTINUING TO FLOURISH, MORE AND MORE BESHEAR'S BEING BORN DRUG ADDICTED AND 15 YEARS AGO HOSPITALS SAW MAYBE ONE DRUG ADDICTED BABY EVERY TWO TO THREE DAYS.

TODAY IN OUR COUNTRY A DRUG ADDICTED BABY IS BORN ONE EVERY HOUR.

IN KENTUCKY IS AMONG THE TOP OF THE STATES FOR DRUG ADDICTED BABIES PER CAPITA.

AS I'VE BEEN DOING THIS RESEARCH AND WATCHED THOSE VIDEOS OF THE HORRIBLE SUFFERING THOSE CHILDREN GO THROUGH WHEN BORN KRUG ADDICTED THE VIOLENT SHAKING WITH EXCRUTIATING PAIN AND MOW WAY TO BE COMFORTED EXCEPT BEING COPIED ON MORPHINE, AS A GROUP WE HAVE DETERMINED THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE, SO THIS BILL CREATES A SECTION IN THE TERM NATION OF PARENT RATES SHA STATUTE THAT SAID A PARENT WOULD HAVE 6060 DAYS TO ENROLL IN A DRUG TREATMENT PROGRAM FOR CABINET IS TO AT THE PENNY PLAN TUGS FOR TERMINATION OF PARENTAL >> Casey: HOUSE BILL 1 ALSO CREATES A PUTATIVE FATHER REGISTRY.

THE BILL PASSED THE SENATE HEALTH AND WELFARE COMMITTEE, AND WILL BE PLACED ON THE SENATE DOCKET.

THE SENATE HEALTH AND WELFARE COMMITTEE ALSO HEARD TESTIMONY ON A SENATE BILL THAT WILL CREATE OVERSIGHT FOR MIDWIVES.

CURRENTLY, KENTUCKY HAS NO OVERSIGHT OF MIDWIVES AND SENATE BILL 134 CREATES A LAYER OF OVERSIGHT BY ESTABLISHING THE CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL MIDWIVES ADVISORY COUNCIL UNDER THE BOARD OF NURSING.

SENATOR TOM BUFORD EXPLAINS HIS BILL.

>> IS THAT THE NIL 134 ADDRESS A REMAIN FRAIL WORK FOR OUR KENTUCKY MIDWIVES SO THEY CAN CERTIFY THEMSELVES PROFESSIONAL MIDWIVES AND GO UNDER A RULE OF REGULATION.

SINCE 19 HAVE 75.

THE STATE HAS SOPPED ISSUING PERMITS FOR MIDWIVES, SO ULTIMATELY THEY HAVE HAD THE PLEASURE TO SERVE IN ANY CAPACITY THAT THEY SO CHOOSE WITHOUT REGULATION.

AND THEY ARE TRYING TO BRING THEMSELVES UNDER A REGULATION, AND THAT IS WHAT THIS BILL IS ABOUT.

>> Casey: BUFORD WAS JOINED BY MARY KATHRYN DeLODDER OF THE KENTUCKY HOMEBIRTH COALITION SPEAKING IN FAVOR OF THE BILL.

DeLODDER SAYS SENATE BILL 134 WAS BROUGHT FOR THE FAMILIES OF KENTUCKY AND THE APPROXIMATELY 700 BABIES THAT ARE BORN AT HOME IN THE STATE EACH YEAR.

>> IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT THIS BILL IS NOT ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT TO ALLOW HOME BIRTH IN KENTUCKY.

HOME BIRTHS HAVE ALWAYS AND WILL ALWAYS TACK PLACE.

IT WOULD BE LEGAL FOR ME TO HAVE NO PRENATAL AND A TO HAVE MY BABY AT HOME COMPLETELY ALONE WITH NO TRAINED PROFESSIONAL IN ATTENDANCE.

AND SADLY WE'VE HAVE WE HAVE KENTUCKY FAMILIES WHO CHOOSE THAT OPTION BECAUSE THEY CANNOT FIND FIND A TRAINED MIDWIFE TO ATTEND THEM.

THIS BILL IS ABOUT INCREASING ACCESS TO THE ONLY CATEGORY OF CARE PROVIDERS FOR WHO ARE CLINICALLY TRAINED TO ATTEND BIRTHNESS THE HOME SETTING.

THAT IS THE CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL MIDWIFE.

>> Casey: SENATE BILL 134 SAW OPPOSITION FROM WINCHESTER SENATOR RALPH ALVARADO.

ALVARADO, A PHYSICIAN, HAD A COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE TO THE BILL DEFEATED THAT HE SAYS WOULD LAY OUT SPECIFICALLY WHAT MIDWIVES SHOULD BE DOING AND WHAT THEY SHOULD KNOW.

ALVARADO EXPLAINED HIS OPPOSITION TO THE COMMITTEE.

>> I THINK MY CONCERN WITH THE BILL RIGHT NOW, NOT ONLY IS IT'S GOT LANGUAGE THAT CREATES A LOOPHOLE TO PERFORM ABORTIONS IN A HOPE SETTING BUT ALSO IT ALSO ALLOWS FOR HIGH-RISK DELIVERIES TO OCCURRING AT HOME AND I MY CONCERN PREDOMINANTLY, PEOPLE THINK I'M GOING DOING THIS ON BEHALF OF THE K MOUNTAINA OR KHA, I'M DOING ON BEHALF OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN AND THINGS SHOULD NOT BE DAUNT HOME P ALL CERTIFIED DR.

GOLDBERGED TESTIFY THAT HE CONSIDERED IT MEDICAL MALPRACTICE TO DOO VAGINAL BIRTH IN A HOME SETTING FOR A PHYSICIAN WHO MIGHT HAVE YEARS AND YEARS OF STUDY WANT LEAST TO BECOME OB/GYN AND IS HOW WE WOULD THINK THAT AB INDIVIDUAL WHO IS A LAYPERSON WHO WANTS TO THEN GO OUT AND GET A CERTIFICATE AND THINK THAT'S SOMEHOW CYPHER SAFER IS BEYOND ME, SO I'M PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS ASPECT OF IT.

P.

>> Casey: SENATE BILL 134 STATES THAT THE MIDWIVES ADVISORY COUNCIL IS RESPONSIBLE FOR CREATING REGULATIONS REGARDING QUALIFICATIONS AND STANDARDS FOR CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL MIDWIVES.

THE BILL PASSED THE SENATE HEALTH AND WELFARE COMMITTEE AND NOW CAN BE HEARD BY THE FULL SENATE.

THAT CONCLUDES OUR DAY 52 COVERAGE OF THE 2018 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN REGULAR SESSION.

FOR INFORMATION ON LEGISLATIVE MEETING TIMES, CALL TOLL FREE: 1-800-633-9650.

YOU CAN ALSO FOLLOW OUR GAVEL-TO-GAVEL COVERAGE THROUGHOUT THE DAY BY DOWNLOADING KET'S LEGISLATIVE COVERAGE APP TO YOUR SMART PHONE OR TABLET.

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

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU AGAIN TOMORROW NIGHT AT 11:00 EASTERN, 10:00 CENTRAL FOR "LEGISLATIVE UPDATE."

I'M CASEY PARKER-BELL.

THANKS FOR WATCHING AND HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.