Organizations throughout the commonwealth would like to see the General Assembly tackle specific issues. Kentucky Youth Advocates has a list of legislative priorities it would like to see addressed.
Shannon Moody is the group's Chief Officer of Strategic Initiatives. In an interview with Eastern Standard, she stated that they want stronger safeguards for Kentucky schoolchildren. Especially when it comes to investigations of school employees involved in sexual abuse cases.
“Unfortunately, we're seeing some gaps in ensuring investigations are completed even if the school employee has changed schools or left where they are. So, wanting to make sure those investigations are completed even if that employee leaves.”
The bill that would cover this issue is HB 102 and is sponsored by Republican Representative James Tipton, of Taylorsville.
Moody says other priorities include more accessible childcare for kids with disabilities.
Moody said these kids are feeling the strain of staffing and retention issues at Kentucky schools.
“We've got overwhelmed childcare providers seeing behaviors from children with disabilities or having difficulties serving children with disabilities. If the behavior escalates to a point where they feel an expulsion is needed, we're seeing more and more kids with disabilities being expelled from childcare centers.”
Moody says other priorities include having courts consider alternative sentencing options when the individual has committed a non-violent offense and is the primary caregiver to a dependent child.
Hear from from Shannon Moody later this week on Eastern Standard on WEKU.
The bills being monitored by Kentucky Youth Advocates can be found here- https://kyyouth.org/bill-tracker/
The organization's full Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children 2026 priority agenda can be found here.
