FRANKFORT, Ky. - A Kentucky Senate committee has passed a bill that would prevent people with serious mental illness from being executed.
Sponsored by Republican Senator Julie Raque Adams and three Democrats, the measure would apply to those who were mentally ill when they committed the crime.
Democratic Senator Robin Webb is concerned the legislation would exclude the mentally ill who go undiagnosed.
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FRANKFORT, Ky. - A measure that would ban smoking on the campuses of all schools in Kentucky is on its way to the full House.
The House Health and Welfare Committee unanimously passed House Bill 11, which would bar the use of tobacco and e-cigarettes on all school-owned properties, including all school events on school property.
Similar bills have been filed in past legislative sessions, but have gained little or no traction.
Sponsor Kim Moser says the bill has the support of Kentucky School Boards Association, the Kentucky Association of School Superintendents, and 87 percent of Kentucky adults in a statewide poll.
Sen. Ralph Alvarado has filed a companion bill, Senate Bill 27.
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FRANKFORT, Ky. - The state Senate has approved legislation that would give Kentuckians more opportunities to register as an organ donor.
It would allow people to register when they log into a website used to sign up for state services.
People can sign up as an organ donor when they renew their driver's license. That happens every four years.
But the state is soon moving to an eight-year renewal cycle, and the Trust for Life is worried the drop-off in annual license renewals will lead to fewer people registering as donors.
The measure now goes to the House.
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FRANKFORT, Ky. - The Senate Judiciary Committee has approved a bill that would make strangulation a felony crime in Kentucky.
Supporters of the measure say Kentucky is one of only three states that have not passed such legislation.
The committee heard testimony from a domestic violence survivor who was strangled.
The state's public advocacy director opposes the bill, saying strangulation is already covered under the assault law.
