LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Gov. Andy Beshear signed two bills Wednesday aimed at addressing child abuse and neglect.
“There is nothing more important than the safety of our children,” he said.
What You Need To Know
- Gov. Andy Beshear signed two bills dealing with child abuse and neglect
- Senate Bill 8 is a sweeping bill dealing with the state's foster care system
- House Bill 263, known as Kami's Law, enhances penalties for criminal abuse of a child under the age of 12
The signing ceremonies were symbolic, as Beshear had already officially signed the bills months ago. He has to sign a bill 10 days after lawmakers pass it or it will go into effect without his signature, but they held the event with several advocates for the two pieces of legislation: House Bill 263 and Senate Bill 8.
HB 263, known as Kami’s Law, enhances the penalties for criminal abuse if the victim is under 12 years old. It’s named after Kami Belongie, who was left with debilitating injuries when she was nine months old at the hands of her mom’s then-boyfriend. The man served less than five years in prison.
12-year-old Kiera Dunk personally pushed for the bill after hearing Kami’s story.
“I felt that wasn’t a fair punishment for ruining somebody’s life,” she said.
The bill pushes criminal abuse of a child under the age of 12 to a Class B Felony, so anyone convicted of the crime faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
House Speaker David Osborne (R-Prospect) was one of the bill’s sponsors.
“This one got to be particularly special to me because I actually got to help one of Kentucky’s kids improve the lives of Kentucky’s future generations,” he said.
The other bill Beshear signed Wednesday was SB 8, a sweeping bill dealing with child abuse and neglect that was sponsored by Sen. Julie Raque Adams (R-Louisville).
She said Kentucky used to take a piecemeal approach to child welfare.
“Well, finally, in the ’21 interim session, we said no more piecemeal,” she said. “We’re going to take a comprehensive approach to this.”
Her bill creates a uniform definition of child abuse and neglect, expands the Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board, gives kids in foster care more rights, and ensures better access to medical treatment.
“What Senate Bill 8 has accomplished is that it has brought everybody together,” Raque Adams said. “It’s a great first step. It’s not the silver bullet, so everybody in this room has got to stay committed.”