Rep. Nima Kulkarni

Create new sections of KRS Chapter 311 to establish reproductive rights and define terms; amend KRS 18A.225 to remove the prohibition of insurance coverage for abortion; amend KRS 39A.180 to allow the Governor to suspend statutes related to abortion during a declared emergency; amend KRS 156.496 to allow a school district to operate a family resource center that provides abortion counseling; amend KRS 205.010 to permit financial aid for an abortion; amend KRS 205.510 to include abortions or induced miscarriages as medical care; amend KRS 205.560 to allow medical aid payments for abortion; amend KRS 211.603 to allow money in the rape crisis trust fund to be used for abortion services or education; amend KRS 212.275 to allow health departments to dispense medication for an abortion; amend KRS 213.101 to remove various reporting requirements; amend various sections to remove penalties associated with performing abortions; amend various sections to conform; repeal, reenact, and amend or repeal and reenact KRS 311.783, 311.7710, 311.820, 311.990, 311.780, 311.810, 311.572, 311.591, 311.686, and 311.852 to conform; repeal KRS 15.241, 213.098, 213.172, 213.174, 213.176, 216B.0435, 216B.200, 216B.202, 216B.204, 216B.206, 216B.208, 216B.210, 304.5-160, 311.710, 311.715, 311.720, 311.723, 311.724, 311.725, 311.727, 311.728, 311.731, 311.732, 311.733, 311.735, 311.750, 311.760, 311.765, 311.770, 311.7701, 311.7702, 311.7703, 311.7704, 311.7705, 311.7706, 311.7707, 311.7708, 311.7709, 311.7711, 311.772, 311.7731, 311.7733, 311.7734, 311.7735, 311.7736, 311.7737, 311.7739, 311.774, 311.7741, 311.7743, 311.781, 311.7811, 311.782, 311.784, 311.7841, 311.785, 311.786, 311.787, 311.790, 311.800, 311.821, 311.822, 311.823, 311.824, 311.825, 311.826, 311.827, 311.830, 311.992, and 315.315; EFFECTIVE, in part, January 1, 2026.

Amend KRS 342.0011, relating to workers' compensation, to expand the definition of "injury" to include psychological injuries for police officers, firefighters, emergency medical services personnel, front-line staff members, or members of the National Guard; create a new section of KRS Chapter 342 to establish when psychological injuries are valid workers' compensation claims when not a direct result of a physical injury.

Amend KRS 211.690 to require the Health Access Nurturing Development Services (HANDS) Program to provide educational information about maternal and postpartum depression; make technical corrections.

Maddy summaryHB 425 changes Kentucky's individual income tax rates for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2026. It establishes a new tax structure: 4% on income up to $100,000, 5% on income between $100,000-$125,000, and 6% on income over $125,000 (with a flat 6% rate for income of $150,000 or more). The bill requires the Office of State Budget Director to annually verify specific fiscal conditions (like budget reserve fund balances) before the legislature can reduce the tax rate, ensuring any change requires legislative approval. This bill directly affects all Kentucky residents who file individual income tax returns for 2026 and beyond.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 210 to define terms; prohibit mental health professionals from engaging in sexual orientation and gender identity change efforts with a person under 18 years of age, a person who is 18 years or older who is an adult as defined in KRS 209.020, or a ward as defined in KRS 387.510; require violations to be subject to board discipline; prohibit public funds from being used for sexual orientation and gender identity change efforts; create a new section of KRS Chapter 211 to require the Department for Public Health and the Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities to develop, produce, and disseminate educational materials regarding sexual orientation and gender identity change efforts; permit the cabinet to contract for the educational materials; provide that the Act may be cited as the Youth Mental Health Protection Act; EMERGENCY.

Create a new section of KRS 311.710 to 311.820 to define terms; establish privacy protections for a woman seeking reproductive health care outside of the Commonwealth; establish protections for any person or entity assisting a woman seeking reproductive health care out of the Commonwealth; establish a civil cause of action for violations; waive sovereign immunity protections of the Commonwealth.

Maddy summaryHR 23 is a symbolic resolution recognizing February 13, 2025, as Kentucky Arts Day. It does not create new laws or affect funding, programs, or individuals; instead, it formally acknowledges the arts' economic and cultural value in Kentucky through a designated day. The resolution cites the arts' role in generating $6.5 billion annually, supporting 50,526 jobs, and enhancing community development, but the recognition itself has no binding policy impact. It was introduced and adopted by the Kentucky House of Representatives on February 11-13, 2025.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 141 to establish the employer student loan repayment credit, equal to 50 percent of the amount paid by an employer on an eligible student loan of a qualified employee effective for taxable years beginning January 1, 2025, but before January 1, 2029; amend KRS 141.0205 to order the credit; amend KRS 131.190 to allow the Department of Revenue to report on the credit.

Amend KRS 205.592 to expand Medicaid eligibility to include pregnant women and new mothers up to 12 months postpartum regardless of citizenship or national origin; create a new section of KRS Chapter 205 to define terms; direct the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to establish a family planning program to provide family planning services and family planning-related services to Medicaid-eligible individuals, including individuals who would otherwise be eligible for Medicaid except for their citizenship or national origin; require the Department for Medicaid Services to promulgate administrative regulations and collaborate with multiple divisions, agencies, and other parties to facilitate participation in the family planning program; require a waiver to be requested if it is determined a waiver is needed.