Sen. Karen Berg

Amend KRS 157.320 to define "eligible child" and "teaming partner"; amend KRS 157.3175 to require each local school district to provide preschool to 4 year olds who reside in a household with an income at or below 160% of the poverty level until the end of the 2033-2034 school year, and beginning with the 2034-2035 school year require each local school district to provide preschool to each eligible child; provide requirements for program guidelines; require the Kentucky Department of Education to establish and maintain a statewide unified data system; create a new section of KRS Chapter 157 to require local school districts to maintain certification from the Head Start director that Head Start is fully utilized; provide penalties; require local school districts to prepare and submit preschool expansion plans to the deparment; require the department to promulgate administrative regulations regarding preschool expansion; require the department to submit a report the the Legislative Research Commission annually regarding preschool expansion.

Amend KRS 157.320 to define "at risk" and "teaming partner"; amend KRS 157.3175 to require each local school district to provide preschool to 4 year olds who reside in a household with an income at or below 160% of the poverty level until the end of the 2030-2031 school year and beginning with the 2031-2032 school year, require each local school district to provide preschool to each 4 year old who is at risk; provide requirements for program guidelines; require the Kentucky Department of Education to establish and maintain a statewide unified data system; create a new section of KRS Chapter 157 to require local school districts to maintain certification from the Head Start director that Head Start is fully utilized; provide penalties; require local school districts to prepare and submit preschool expansion plans to the deparment; require the department to promulgate administrative regulations regarding preschool expansion; require the department to submit a report the the Legislative Research Commission annually regarding preschool expansion.

Amend KRS 336.130 to delete references restricting rights of public employees to organize, associate collectively, or strike; amend KRS 336.180 to redefine "labor organization" and delete definitions of "candidate," "committee," "contributing organization," "contribution," "election," "electioneering communications," "employer," "fundraiser," "independent expenditure," "political activities," "public employee," "slate of candidates," and "testimonial affair"; amend KRS 336.990 to conform; amend KRS 67A.6904 to allow urban-county governments to make an agreement with a labor organization to require membership in the organization as a condition of employment; amend KRS 67C.406 to allow consolidated local governments to make an agreement with a labor organization to require membership in the organization as a condition of employment; amend KRS 70.262, 78.470, and 78.480 to remove exceptions; amend KRS 345.050 to allow public employers to make an agreement with a labor organization to require membership in the organization as a condition of employment; amend KRS 336.1341 and 336.135 to conform; repeal KRS 65.016, 336.132, and 336.134.

Amend KRS 344.010 to define terms; amend KRS 344.020, relating to the purpose of the Kentucky's civil rights chapter, to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity; amend KRS 344.025, 344.040, 344.050, 344.060, 344.070, and 344.080, relating to prohibited discrimination in various labor and employment practices, to include discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity; amend KRS 344.100 and 344.110 to conform; amend KRS 344.120 and 344.140, relating to prohibited discrimination in places of public accommodation, to include discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity; amend KRS 344.170, 344.180, 344.190, 344.300, and 344.310, relating to the state and local human rights commissions, to include prohibition of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity in the scope of their powers and duties; amend KRS 344.360, 344.370, 344.380, and 344.680, relating to prohibited discrimination in certain housing, real estate, and other financial transactions, to include discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity; amend KRS 344.367, relating to prohibited discrimination in certain insurance sales, to include discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity; amend KRS 344.400, relating to prohibited discrimination in certain credit transactions, to include discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity; make various technical amendments; amend KRS 18A.095 to conform.

Maddy summaryThis symbolic resolution (SR 7) condemns all political violence and hate speech targeting individuals or groups based on race, religion, identity, or political beliefs. It affirms that all political disputes must be resolved through peaceful, lawful democratic processes and promotes civil discourse. The resolution applies broadly to all Kentuckians and elected officials, emphasizing that violence undermines democratic participation and government integrity. As a non-binding statement, it does not create new laws but formally expresses the Senate's stance on protecting democratic safety and dignity.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 216B to require each hospital licensed by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to establish policies and procedures to improve care for sickle cell disease patients, develop programs to prevent and address addiction risks for sickle cell disease patients, and provide patients with education and resources by January 1, 2027.

Create new sections of KRS Chapter 309 to define terms; establish a licensing board for professional music therapists; require 3 members of the board to have engaged in the practice or teaching of music therapy for at least 3 years; prohibit any persons not licensed by the board from holding himself or herself out as a licensed professional music therapist; authorize the board to promulgate administrative regulations; authorize the board to issue a license to practice music therapy; establish the process for license renewal, suspension, and revocation; establish fees for licensure; establish fee limitations; authorize the board to implement disciplinary actions; require a licensed professional music therapist to collaborate with a client's physician or other professional involved in the treatment of the client; require a licensed professional music therapist to collaborate with a client's mental health or substance use disorder professional involved in the treatment of the client; prohibit a licensed professional music therapist from replacing services provided by an audiologist or a speech-language pathologist; create the Kentucky Board of Licensure for Professional Music Therapists fund; establish a fine for violations; provide for initial board appointments.

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 for employers to $15.00 an hour; include anti-preemption language permitting local governments to establish minimum wage ordinances in excess of the state minimum wage.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a law) passed by the Kentucky Senate. It formally congratulates University of Louisville men's basketball coach Pat Kelsey for being named the 2025 Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Coach of the Year. The resolution highlights his coaching achievements, including leading the Cardinals to a 25-6 record and revitalizing the program. It has no policy impact - it is purely symbolic recognition with no effect on laws or people.

Amend KRS 304.17A-132 to modify coverage requirements for hearing aids and related services; amend KRS 304.17A-131 to modify coverage requirements for cochlear implants; amend KRS 205.522, 205.6485, 164.2871, and 18A.225 to require Medicaid, KCHIP, self-insured employer group 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 hearing aids and related services and cochlear implants; provide that various sections apply to health benefit plans issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026; establish construction of certain provisions for purposes of federal law and require state officials to comply; require the Department of Insurance to determine whether the coverage requirements for hearing aids and related services or cochlear implants would be in addition to essential health benefits required under federal law; require the Department of Insurance and the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to obtain federal waivers or approval, if necessary; EFFECTIVE, January 1, 2026.