Proposed resolution would study Kentucky child welfare and family courts

The proposed resolution would direct the Legislative Research Commission to establish a child welfare and family court task force. The review would cover Kentucky child welfare and family court laws, agency policies, and court processes. The task force would review current laws and agency policies on child abuse and neglect, foster care, and court processes. It would seek input from experts and people with lived experience, then recommend legislation for the General Assembly to consider.

The proposed task force would include state lawmakers and officials, plus four members appointed by the Legislative Research Commission. The proposed membership includes eight state lawmakers, the community services commissioner and courts' administrative director or their designees, and four additional members. The Legislative Research Commission would consider and approve the final membership. The four additional members would include a family court judge, a law enforcement representative, a county attorneys association member, and a community organization representative with experience in child and family programs.

The proposed task force would meet at least monthly during the 2026 legislative interim and send recommendations for referral. The recommendations would go to the Governor and the Legislative Research Commission for referral to the Interim Joint Committee on Health Services. The Legislative Research Commission could instead assign the study to an interim joint committee or subcommittee and set a completion date. The proposed recommendations would be due by December 1, 2026.