Questions raised over implementing SB 151 a bill regarding kinship care
(ABC 36 NEWS NOW) — It’s a bill that would provide relief to families with costs in kinship care, senate bill 151.
Earlier this year, the bill was signed into law and would go into effect next month.
The bill would provide those who foster, but aren’t registered as foster parents with the same benefits as those who are.
But now, the implementation of that bill has been brought into question.
“We have a real child neglect and abuse crisis going on in the state of Kentucky,” says Senator Julie Raque Adams, the Majority Caucus Chair, reflecting on the meeting on Wednesday.
Raque Adams adding, “because of this crisis, we passed Senate Bill 151, this session, we worked in collaboration with Cabinet for Health and Family Services, and we even put guardrails around it so that it could so the costs could be contained.”
But in a meeting on Wednesday with the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Department for Community Based Services saying they will not be able to implement Senate Bill 151, because of the potential costs.
“As part of those conversations and development and 151, we also identified that there would be additional funding needed to implement and that that funding was not made available. So at this time, we are still hopeful in the near future, that there will be an additional pathway for for funding of Senate Bill 151,” said Lesa Dennis, the commissioner, of the Department for Community Based Services.
According to testimony on Wednesday, the implementation would cost $20 million.
“It gives those relative caregivers, the support that they need to take really good care of that child until they can be reunified with their, with their family. So we worked really closely with the cabinet. It was a bipartisan effort, it was signed into law by the governor,” added Raque Adams.
Senator Julie Raque Adams is concerned over what could happen next, “you can’t have it both ways, you can’t be supportive of the policy, you can’t be supportive of the bill, you can’t sign it into law, and then decide that you’re not going to implement it. That is a separation of powers issue. When the legislature passes a bill, it is important, and it is incumbent upon the administration to implement that bill.”
It is estimated that 15,000 kids are in kinship care due to them being removed from their home.
the meeting raising some eyebrows on who is to be held accountable and how the bill can move forward in implementation.
“It is my understanding that if we do not fund something from the legislature that requires funding, then, they don’t have to do it at that point is what I understand. If we don’t fund it, then the requirement as a, as a law, they are not required to to follow through with that if we do not provide the funding,” also said Senator Danny Carroll.
The next meeting is scheduled for July 30th.
The Beshear Administration releasing the following statement, “While the Governor signed and supports the bill that would help our children and families, about $20 million would be needed to provide the services, and, on multiple occasions, the administration relayed this information to the bill sponsor, LRC staff and members of the General Assembly. Lawmakers had the opportunity to deliver the funding during the session but chose not to. It is simple: The state cannot implement programs and policies if we don’t have the funding needed to do so – and the Kentucky Supreme Court agrees.”
The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services also releasing the following statement, “Team Kentucky is 100% focused on the children who rely on us for their safety and well-being. We’re supportive of the bill, but there is a cost that must be addressed before implementation can occur. Since February, the communication from the administration has been clear about the funding required to implement the services. The Kentucky Supreme Court in Fletcher v. Commonwealth clearly held that legislation must be specifically funded to be implemented.”
