Rep. Kim Banta

Maddy summaryHB 53 creates a new Class A misdemeanor offense for intentionally releasing 10 or more balloons inflated with gas lighter than air (like helium) within 24 hours. It directly affects individuals or groups organizing large balloon releases, such as events or celebrations, unless exempt. Key exemptions include government agencies conducting scientific work, recovered hot air balloons, and indoor releases. The law aims to address potential hazards from mass balloon releases while allowing for legitimate uses.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 411 to establish civil liability against a parent, guardian, or other person legally responsible for a minor if the minor causes the injury or death of another by the use of a destructive device, explosive, firearm, or other deadly weapon; provide limited exemptions; amend KRS 411.155 to conform.

Maddy summaryThis resolution encourages Kentucky schools to acquire anti-choking devices, such as LifeVac, which are FDA-registered suction tools for choking emergencies. It cites U.S. statistics showing over 12,000 annual child choking injuries and references the 2022 death of Landon McCubbins, an 8-year-old from Kentucky who choked at school. The resolution does not mandate device purchases but urges schools to adopt them, noting 52 lives were saved in schools using LifeVac devices as reported by the company. It also extends condolences to McCubbins' family and directs copies to the Kentucky Department of Education.

Amend KRS 403.190 to state that criminal misconduct against the other spouse may be considered in the disposition of marital property; provide that a spouse who is convicted of committing a felony against the other spouse shall not be entitled to claim retirement or life insurance as marital property; EMERGENCY.

Amend KRS 45A.030 to expand the definition of "contract"; amend KRS 45A.035 to require promulgation of administrative regulations to establish policies regarding timely payments under contracts; create a new section of KRS Chapter 45A to establish timely payment penalty and procedures; EMERGENCY.

Require the Office of the Auditor of Public Accounts to conduct a full fiscal controls and operational performance audit of the Kentucky Department of Education and provide the report to the Interim Joint Committee on Education by July 1, 2025.

Amend KRS 95A.262 to permit the Kentucky Fire Commission to establish a reimbursement program for cancer screenings for firefighters.

Create new sections of KRS Chapter 164 to establish the Teacher Recruitment Student Loan Forgiveness Pilot Program; define eligibility for the program; direct the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority to administer the program; provide monetary awards for student loan repayment for eligible students who complete qualified teaching service; establish the Teacher Recruitment Student Loan Forgiveness Pilot Program fund; establish the Student Teacher Stipend Program; define eligibility for the program; direct the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority to administer the program; provide an award of up to $5,000 to an eligible student teacher; APPROPRIATION; EMERGENCY.

Amend KRS 311A.030 to remove the classifications of ambulance services, mobile integrated healthcare programs, and medical first response providers; amend KRS 311A.142 to permit an emergency medical responder, emergency medical technician, advanced emergency medical technician, or paramedic in good standing in another state to be eligible for reciprocity at the same level of certification or licensure; amend KRS 142.301, 205.5602, 211.9523, 311A.010, 311A.170, and 405.075 to conform; repeal KRS 311A.185, relating to determination of death by a paramedic; EMERGENCY.

Create new sections of KRS 438.305 to 438.340 to define terms; require the Secretary of State to create and publish a list of certain tobacco product retailers; require the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control to create and maintain a tobacco noncompliance database and reporting system; require wholesalers to verify a retailer's presence in the database prior to transactions; establish and impose fines for wholesalers that unlawfully sell to a retailer that is in the noncompliance database; make ineligible any retailer with unpaid fines that are more than 60 days overdue from selling Tobacco Control Act covered products until the fines are paid; direct manufacturers of Tobacco Control Act covered products to provide safe harbor certification to wholesalers and retailers of their products; prohibit a retailer from selling Tobacco Control Act products to persons under 21 years of age; establish; amend KRS 241.060 to allow the board to conduct hearings and appeals under this Act and KRS 438.340. .