Legislation is already moving quickly through the Kentucky General Assembly. House Bill 7, Rep. Bowling’s legislation to create Recovery Ready communities, was voted out of committee last week and now heads to the House floor. You can send a message to your legislators and urge them to vote YES on House Bill 7 at this link.
House Bill 126, filed by Rep. Ed Massey, is also headed to the House for a vote. The legislation would lower the charge on thefts below $1,000 to a misdemeanor rather than a Class D felony. The goal is to remove some of the barriers Kentuckians in recovery may encounter when trying to get their lives back on track and find meaningful employment.
The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced legislation to support Kentucky women who give birth while incarcerated. Senate Bill 84, sponsored by Sen. Julie Raque Adams, would give women 72 hours with their newborn before returning to prison, ban solitary confinement for pregnant inmates and allow for access to community-based programs. It would also provide pregnant women with social workers and allow for their involvement in placing their child until their term is served.
House Bill 48, legislation to ensure pharmacists are properly reimbursed for the services they provide that are within their scope of practice, has been filed by Rep. Danny Bentley. Kentucky pharmacists have played an active role in treating individuals with substance use disorders and say HB 48 will help them continue to deliver this essential care.
Telehealth has become a lifeline for many Kentuckians over the last year, giving them a way to safely connect with their health care providers. House Bill 140, sponsored by Rep. Kim Moser, will preserve the telehealth services patients have come to rely on.