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Legislative Report January 12, 2026
Prepared by: Liz McQuillen
Bill Information
MEDICAID
(BURKE, LINDSEY)

AN ACT relating to Medicaid.

Amend KRS 205.520 to establish that it is the policy of the Commonwealth to provide Medicaid eligibility for all residents of the Commonwealth who may be eligible under federal law; amend KRS 205.6312 to require the establishment of cost-sharing requirements in the Medicaid program to the extent required under federal law; require the Governor to commission an independent third-party analysis of the current Medicaid expansion; require the Cabinet for Health and Family Services or the Department for Medicaid Services to seek federal approval if it is determined that such approval is necessary; provide authorization from the General Assembly to make changes the Medicaid program as required under KRS 205.5372(1).

  CURRENT STATUS

1/6/2026 - Introduced

MENTAL HEATHCARE COVERAGE
(BURKE, LINDSEY)

AN ACT relating to mental health coverage in connection with pregnancy.

Create a new section of Subtitle 17A of KRS Chapter 304 to define terms; require health benefit plans to provide coverage for counseling interventions for pregnant and postpartum persons at increased risk of perinatal depression, including persons who have suffered a miscarriage or stillbirth; suspend the coverage requirement's application to qualified health plans if the state would be required to make cost defrayal payments; amend KRS 304.17A-099 to conform; amend KRS 205.522, 205.6485, 164.2871, and 18A.225 to require Medicaid, the Kentucky Children's Health Insurance Program, self-insured employer plans provided by the governing board of a state postsecondary education institution, and the state employee health plan to comply with the coverage requirement for counseling interventions; provide that certain provisions apply to health benefit plans issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2027; require the Cabinet for Health and Family Services or Department for Medicaid Services to obtain federal approval if it is determined that such approval is necessary and comply with notice requirements; provide authorization from the General Assembly to make changes in the Medicaid program as required under KRS 205.5372(1); EFFECTIVE, in part, January 1, 2027.

  CURRENT STATUS

1/6/2026 - Introduced

FAMILY IMPACT STATEMENTS
(BAKER, SHANE)

AN ACT relating to family impact statements.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 6 to require the Legislative Research Commission to prepare a family impact statement for every bill or resolution introduced during a regular or extraordinary session of the Kentucky General Assembly; define terms; establish procedures.

  CURRENT STATUS

1/7/2026 - Introduced

LICENSED CHILD-CARE CENTERS
(JOHNSON, DJ)

AN ACT relating to licensed child-care centers.

Amend KRS 199.896 to establish square footage requirements for child-care centers.

  CURRENT STATUS

1/7/2026 - Introduced

DIAPER ACCESS PROGRAMS
(GROSSL, VANESSA)

AN ACT relating to diaper access programs.

Create new sections of KRS Chapter 200 to define terms; establish the Kentucky Diaper Access Board and its functions related to the development of a state plan for the distribution of funds from the Kentucky diaper access trust fund; establish the Kentucky diaper access trust fund and the purposes for which funds are disbursed to diaper access programs in the Commonwealth.

  CURRENT STATUS

1/9/2026 - Introduced

PAID MATERNITY LEAVE
(DENEEN, MATTHEW)

AN ACT relating to paid maternity leave for state employees.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 61 to define "full-time position" and "qualifying employee"; permit a qualifying employee paid leave of absence of up to 30 days for the birth of a child; require leave of more than 1 child during a singular pregnancy to be taken concurrently; require the employee to use the leave within one year of the child's birth; require the employee to use the leave as a continuous 30-day block or as a 20-day block with the remainder to be used intermittently as full days; require the employee to request advance approval before using the leave; require the employee to use the paid leave before other types of accrued leave; require compliance with the Family and Medical Leave Act; specify that any other type of leave not specified does not qualify for paid maternity leave; prohibit an employee from converting the unused balance of paid maternity leave to other types of paid leave, benefits, or compensation; require any administrative regulation in conflict with this Act to be amended, withdrawn, or repealed within 90 days of the effective date of the Act.

  CURRENT STATUS

1/6/2026 - Introduced

DIAPER ACCESS PROGRAMS
(ARMSTRONG, CASSIE CHAMBERS )

AN ACT relating to diaper access programs.

Create new sections of KRS Chapter 200 to define terms; establish the Kentucky Diaper Access Board and its functions related to the development of a state plan for the distribution of funds from the Kentucky diaper access trust fund; establish the Kentucky diaper access trust fund and the purposes for which funds are disbursed to diaper access programs in the Commonwealth.

  CURRENT STATUS

1/9/2026 - Introduced

CREATE SECTION OF CONSTITUTION RELATING TO MEDICAID EXPANSION
(ARMSTRONG, CASSIE CHAMBERS )

AN ACT proposing to create a new section of the Constitution of Kentucky relating to Medicaid expansion.

Propose to create a new section of the Constitution of Kentucky to enshrine Medicaid expansion coverage; direct the Secretary of State to advertise the proposed constitutional amendment prior to a general election vote; provide ballot language; submit to voters for ratification or rejection.

  CURRENT STATUS

1/8/2026 - Introduced