Tax checkoff proposal clears Kentucky legislature

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky lawmakers have approved income tax checkoff programs to benefit rape crisis centers and pediatric cancer research.

The House and Senate passed the final version as lawmakers neared completion of this year’s legislative session. The measure was sent to Gov. Steve Beshear early Wednesday.

The measure would allow taxpayers to voluntarily donate portions of their state income-tax refunds to boost funding for rape-crisis services and research into cancers afflicting some of Kentucky’s youngest patients.

The pediatric cancer research portion of the bill was sponsored by Sen. Max Wise, whose family has been afflicted with childhood cancer.

Wise’s son Carter was an infant when diagnosed with cancer, resulting in about a dozen rounds of chemotherapy and multiple surgeries. His son, now in remission, turns 8 this week.

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The legislation is Senate Bill 82.

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