Governor Andy Beshear closed a busy law-making week Friday by signing more pieces of legislation from the 2022 Kentucky General Assembly — several of which will immediately impact west Kentucky.
Senate Bill 8 provides additional support, protection and services to Kentucky’s children who have suffered abuse, neglect and exploitation — or at risk — as it expands the membership of the Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board, and broadens the rights of children in the foster care system. The bill also seeks to keep families intact by providing more prevention services.
Senate Bill 152 streamlines a process that local governments must follow for issuing initial solid waste franchises, and reduces the administrative burden while expediting the transmission of privately provided services. This change should benefit cities with populations under 8,000, that currently operate their own solid waste management systems, but could reduce costs through private firms.
House Bill 194 allows students who are enrolled in district-operated alternative schools, and are at least 17 years old, to take the high school equivalency exam. This change allows for the expansion of future educational and economic opportunities for students who would otherwise not be eligible to earn a GED.
