Judge returns ‘sickout’ subpoenas lawsuit to state court

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) – A lawsuit challenging the use of Kentucky labor law to obtain the names of teachers who participated in “sickouts” has been sent back to state court.

U.S. District Judge Danny Reeves on Thursday returned the case to Franklin County Circuit Court for further proceedings. The suit claims Gov. Matt Bevin’s administration unlawfully used state labor law to seek the names and records of teachers.

The suit stems from teacher protests at Kentucky’s Capitol while the legislature was in session. The sickouts forced some schools to close.

Attorney General Andy Beshear, a plaintiff in the suit, says he’ll press the case in state court to ensure no teacher is fined as a result of sickouts.

Beshear is challenging Bevin in this year’s gubernatorial election.

The case was shifted to federal court after a filing by state Labor Cabinet attorneys.