House Bill 263 that would impose harsher penalties for those convicted of criminal abuse to young children received approval Monday from the full Senate is now headed to the governor’s desk.
Senate Majority Caucus Chair Republican Julie Raque Adams of Louisville said HB 263 is a straightforward measure that raises the penalty of first-degree criminal abuse from a Class C felony to a Class B felony if the victim is under 12-years of age.
She said the Senate has spent a tremendous amount of time this legislative session focusing on child abuse and changing the trajectory of Kentucky.
HB 263 is named “Kami’s Law” and during a Senate Judiciary Committee meeting last week, seventh-grader Kiera Dunk spoke on behalf of the bill’s namesake.
Dunk said Kami was a beautiful 9-month old baby when her life was changed forever because the man responsible for her safety shook her so violently that she was clinically dead for 23 minutes. She added that Kami survived, but due to the trauma, only half of her brain remains. She said since that day, Kami has been confined to a wheelchair, is nonverbal, requires a feeding tube, had daily seizures and has to take 12 pills a day and may never be able to use the bathroom on her own.
Kiera stated the person responsible for injuring her did not serve enough time in jail.
She went on to say last year, Kami had to have her fake skull replaced, got sick and almost died again, while the person responsible roams free with no legal or financial ramifications.
HB 263 passed the Senate with a 31-4 vote.
