Includes giving schools more calendar flexibility
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Feb. 10, 2017) — State lawmakers returned to the Capitol this week to start the second part of the General Assembly’s 2017 session.
Senate Bill 2
- Aimed at making state retirement system transactions more transparent. The legislation would hold state retirement systems accountable when contracting out services. It would also codify a reorganization of the Kentucky Retirement Systems board that was called for in an executive order issued by the governor last year. The Senate approved the bill on a 37-0 vote and sent the measure to the House for consideration.
House Bill 14
- Would make an attack on a first responders, such as police, fire fighters and EMTs a hate crime. The bill was approved by the House Judiciary Committee and now awaits action in the House chamber.
Senate Bill 17
- Would specify in statutes that students are permitted to voluntarily express religious or political viewpoints in school assignments free from discrimination. The bill passed the Senate on a 31-3 vote and now goes to the House for consideration.
House Bill 38
- Would prohibit registered sex offenders from being on public playgrounds without advanced written permission of the playground owner or manager. Violators would be charged with a Class A misdemeanor which can carry up to 12 months in jail. The bill was approved by the House Judiciary Committee and has been sent to the full House for consideration.
Senate Bill 50
- Would give school districts more flexibility when setting school calendars. Districts that choose to start the school year no earlier than the Monday closest to August 26 wouldn’t have to meet the state’s 170-day requirement for the school year, as long as students were still receiving 1,062 hours of instruction each year, which is considered the equivalent of 170 school days. The bill passed the Senate on a 33-1 vote and has been sent to the House.
Senate Bill 78
- Proposes a ban on tobacco products at public schools. The measure would prohibit use of tobacco products by students, school personnel, and visitors in schools, school vehicles, properties, and at school activities. The bill was approved by the Senate Education Committee and has been sent to the full Senate for a vote.
House Bill 147
- Would require students to submit proof of immunizations against measles, mumps, rubella and other diseases before being able to enroll in Kentucky public or private colleges. The bill was approved by the House Health and Family Services Committee and now awaits action in the House chamber.
House Bill 174
- Aimed at helping farmers transport their goods by extending a 10 percent weight tolerance for vehicles carrying poultry, livestock, meats, crop products, or feed for livestock and poultry on state roads other than interstate highways. The measure was approved by the House Agriculture Committee and Senate to the House chamber for consideration.
You can share your thoughts with lawmakers by calling the General Assembly’s toll-free message line at 800-372-7181 or write any legislator by sending a letter with the lawmaker’s name to: Capitol Annex, 702 Capitol Avenue, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601.
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