Rep. Pamela Stevenson

Maddy summaryHB 730 allows local correctional facilities to be built with fewer than 150 beds when replacing structures destroyed by catastrophic events (like tornadoes, fires, or floods), provided federal funds cover part of the construction cost. This exception applies specifically to counties, regional jail authorities, or political subdivisions rebuilding after disasters, not to new facilities under standard rules. The bill modifies KRS 441.420 by removing the 150-bed minimum requirement only for these disaster recovery projects. It does not change the general rule requiring new facilities to have at least 150 beds or alter other construction approval processes.

Amend KRS 304.17A-258 to require health benefit plans to provide coverage for certain formulas; to suspend the the coverage requirement for certain formulas as applied to qualified health plans if cost defrayment required by the state; amend KRS 304.17A-145 to require coverage for breastfeeding and lactation services without a prescription and in conjunction with the birth of each child; amend KRS 205.522 to require Medicaid to comply with the coverage requirements for formulas and breastfeeding support and equipment; amend KRS 205.560 to conform; amend KRS 205.6485, 164.2871, and 18A.225 to require KCHIP, self-insured employer group health plans provided by the governing board of a state postsecondary education institution, and the state employee health plan to comply with the coverage requirements for formulas and breastfeeding support and equipment; provide that certain provisions apply to health benefit plans issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026; require the Cabinet for Health and Family Services or the Department for Medicaid Services to seek federal approval, if necessary, and to comply with notice requirements; EFFECTIVE, in part, January 1, 2026.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 336 to define "covenant not to compete" and "covered employee"; provide that an employer shall not require a covered employee to enter into a covenant not to compete; set forth civil remedy, damages that can be recovered, and limitations to bring claim; provide that the provisions must be posted by the employer; indicate that an employer shall not retaliate against an employee for bringing a civil action; establish application of provisions; amend KRS 336.990 to provide civil penalties.

Create new sections of KRS Chapter 337 to define terms and make the termination of employment without cause unlawful; establish amount that may be recovered for wrongful discharge; specify when the employers' internal procedures are to be used.

Maddy summaryHB 563 amends Kentucky's veterans' benefits statute (KRS 40.050) to replace gendered language like "his or her" with gender-neutral terms. This change directly affects all veterans and their beneficiaries receiving payments under this law, ensuring inclusive language in eligibility and payment provisions. The bill does not alter benefit amounts ($9/month for domestic service, $15/month for overseas service, or $300/$500 caps), only updating the statutory language to be inclusive. It is a procedural update to align the law with modern inclusive terminology.

Maddy summaryHB 562 requires the legal owners of most Kentucky cemeteries (excluding private family plots) to maintain burial grounds free of weeds, debris, and vandalism, and to protect them from desecration or improper use like dumping. It specifically mandates that owners prevent damage from unauthorized activities but exempts them if damage results from a crime. Private cemeteries only need to build protective structures if a county cemetery board exists and compensates the owner for costs. City governments within their limits may enforce these maintenance requirements on cemetery owners. The bill is currently pending in the House Local Government Committee (introduced February 14, 2025).

Amend KRS 337.010 to increase the applicable threshold of employees of retail stores and service industries from $95,000 to $500,000 average annual gross volume of sales for the employer; amend KRS 337.275 to incrementally raise minimum wage of hourly and tipped employees and require adherence to any future federal increase in excess of the new state wage rates; include anti-preemption language permitting local governments to establish minimum wage ordinances in excess of the state minimum wage.

Amend KRS 12.245, 12.354, 14A.1-070, 16.040, 40.010, 40.310, 40.650, 42.0146, 148.0211, 158.105, 158.140, 161.048, 164.512, 164.515, 186.041, 186.163, and 186.416 to make certain LGBTQ and qualifying veterans, as defined, eligible for state veterans' benefits.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 171 to establish the Kids Love to Read Program; specify the program is for children in kindergarten through grade five; require books to be sent to children's homes; require the Department for Libraries and Archives to promulgate administrative regulations necessary to administer the program; appropriate $500,000 in fiscal year 2025-2026 to support the program; APPROPRIATION.

Maddy summaryHB 558 extends the eligibility period for Kentucky's Educational Excellence Scholarships (KEES) from five to eight years after high school graduation. This change directly affects current KEES recipients, allowing them more time to complete their undergraduate studies at participating Kentucky colleges or universities. The bill amends two sections of Kentucky law (KRS 164.7881 and 164.7884) to update the timeframe, while maintaining existing requirements like maintaining a minimum 2.5 GPA to continue receiving benefits. Students who need to pause studies due to serious illness may also qualify for additional extensions under the new provisions. The policy change focuses on providing greater flexibility for scholarship recipients without altering award amounts or academic standards.