Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director Kentucky Youth Advocates, said his organization is “disappointed to see advancement of legislation that has more opportunities for harm than good” for the Commonwealth’s children.
In these final days of the 2022 legislative session, House Bill 7 advanced through the Senate Health and Welfare Committee. Though the bill has some positive points, it doesn’t provide the safety net that struggling families need, he said.
Terry Brooks
HB 7 is an omnibus bill related to how Kentucky manages public assistance programs.
“Safety net programs play a critical role in making sure families struggling to make ends meet can have food to eat, cover basic family needs, and access critical supports and services needed to be healthy,” Brooks said. “To that end, we appreciate the willingness of House Speaker David Osborne and Speaker Pro Tem David Meade to continue to listen to feedback from stakeholders to minimize unintended consequences of public benefits reforms on children and families across the Commonwealth.”
In the latest iteration of HB 7, KYA cited positive aspects of the bill including:
• Reduces penalties and removes the chance of a permanent ban from supports
• Directs the legislature, the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, and third parties to study facets of the current safety net during the interim, such as the feasibility of placing multiple programs on a single EBT card and creating a bridge insurance program for low-income families
• Gives CHFS discretion on where to direct unspent federal funds
• Expands access to farmers’ markets for SNAP beneficiaries
• Removes provisions that would require parents to cooperate with child support enforcement to continue receiving benefits
But, he said, KYA still has several questions and concerns as this measure advances to the full Senate for a vote, including:
• Is there an updated fiscal note? Will CHFS have to hire additional staff for implementation?
• How will former foster youth be impacted?
• Does the bill’s committee substitute language indicate that the community engagement program developed by CHFS would be optional, rather than a requirement to maintain Medicaid?
• Are pregnant women and former foster youth exempt from provisions around work requirements and community engagement?
• The Kentucky Workforce Cabinet and Chamber of Commerce already maintain job posting websites – why create a new website over lifting up existing services?
He urges Senate leadership to consider these questions and concerns as HB 7 advances towards a floor vote.
This bill is supposed to be about the education of KY children. as much as other child services may be required in public schools, so should it be for charters. The two entities are different agencies and should remain. No more no less. The funds and authorities should remain separate as well and accountability the responsibility of comptroller.