Governor Andy Beshear signed 14 Senate and House Bills Wednesday afternoon, addressing a myriad of concerns and corners of the Commonwealth.
Two pieces of legislature, Senate Bill 90 and House Bill 44, could play a role in shaping west Kentucky’s future — particularly in mental and behavioral health.
In layman’s terms, SB 90 creates a pilot program in which 10 counties, beginning January 2023, can spend the next four years providing alternative forms of sentencing to qualifying individuals who suffer from behavioral health issues. The defendant, in turn, would have the ability, should they so choose, to participate in behavioral health condition release programs.
Certain crimes — including sexual violations, domestic violence and abuse, dating violence and abuse, and violations of interpersonal protective orders — would not be eligible in this pilot program.
House Bill 44, meanwhile, allows school district attendance policies to include provisions for excused absences for mental or behavioral health reasons. It makes it so a student can make sure they’re “mentally fit” for the classroom, without facing repercussions for missed time within the student body.
Not only is the bill protective of students, but it should prevent teachers and administrators from pushing in a potential and socially dangerous direction.
The bill also provides very specific definitions and provisions for certain extracurricular activities.
Those involved in properly organized 4-H clubs shall be considered “present” at school for all purposes when participating in regularly-scheduled 4-H activities, or is accompanied by a county extension agent or designated 4-H club leader.
Any student in a public school shall be considered “present” for up to 10 days while attending basic training required by a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.
And public school principals shall give a student an excused absence of up to 10 days to pursue educational enhancement opportunities and significant educational value.
