LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Representative Chris Freeland
April has always been a time of renewal. Spring brings dormant plants and hibernating animals back to life, farm fields begin to turnover in preparation for the planting of crops, and many Kentuckians reflect on the resurrection of our savior. It is quite fitting that April also gives us an opportunity to focus on how together we can build awareness of one of the gravest challenges we face – far too many Kentucky children who know only a life of abuse and neglect.
As a state representative and proud Kentuckian, one of the most sacred responsibilities we bear is protecting our children. They are the future of our Commonwealth, and it is our duty to ensure they grow up safe, supported, and with every opportunity to realize their potential. Child abuse and neglect are heartbreaking realities that too many families face—and addressing them must be a priority for all of us. Each April, during Child Abuse Prevention Month, Kentuckians are reminded of this solemn responsibility. The pinwheels planted on the lawn of the State Capitol and at businesses and residences across this district serve as a striking symbol—each one representing a child’s innocence, hope, and the future we must protect.
Without a doubt, the path to protecting children starts at home and strong families are the foundation of a good childhood. We must empower parents with the tools, education, and resources they need to raise their children in safe, stable environments. That means investing in family preservation programs that keep families together when possible, while ensuring swift and decisive intervention when a child’s safety is at risk. The legislature has passed several pieces of legislation aimed at supporting families, including landmark legislation in 2018. Since then, we have invested millions in programs aimed at supporting families, including money earmarked for the hiring of additional social workers. In 2024, we took steps to provide children in kinship care with critical resources. While this legislation is still waiting to be implemented by the governor, we will continue to make it a priority as we work on the next state budget.
We must also support nonprofits, including faith-based organizations, that have been on the front lines of child protection for decades. These groups know their communities best and are often more effective and more compassionate than state agencies with ever-changing staff and priorities. By promoting public-private partnerships and cutting red tape, we can expand the reach of these trusted groups and offer families more paths to healing and stability.
Our child welfare system must be efficient, transparent, and focused on outcomes. That means holding state agencies accountable when they fail to act on reports of abuse, streamlining the foster care process so children don’t languish in limbo, and ensuring that those who harm children are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. This session we passed legislation aimed at ensuring our system is working as effectively as possible. HB 242 allows designated individuals access to information and data about child dependency, neglect and abuse cases to research and identify improvements.
We also approved legislation designed to toughen penalties on those who target our children. The first takes aim at growing concerns about sextortion, the practice of extorting money or favors from individuals – often teens and pre-teens – by threatening to reveal evidence of real or AI-generated sexual activity. SB 73 establishes the crime of sexual extortion; requires posting of information and resources available, and mandates school district superintendents to educate students in 4th grade and above, as well as parents and guardians of all students, of the crime of sexual extortion.
And, we approved SB 169, which provides law enforcement more tools to investigate child exploitation. The bill allows subpoenas to gather records from social networks, mobile payment systems, and cloud storage providers in crimes related to child exploitation, harassment, and stalking.
Unfortunately, those who abuse children are not always strangers. Far too often, they are family friends, neighbors, people in trusted positions. To help ensure parents are aware of their children’s communications, we approved SB 181, which requires school staff and volunteers to use a traceable communication system for all electronic communications with students and bans the use of personal platforms like texting without written parental consent.
Those who prey on children are the worst of the worst, and we’re sending a message that we are willing to fight to protect our children. However, we must acknowledge that not all neglect stems from malice—sometimes it is the result of poverty, addiction, or lack of support. A holistic, but principled approach means addressing the root causes without expanding government overreach. That includes policies the legislature has passed that encourage work, strengthen families, and provide access to mental health and addiction recovery services.
Education is another key pillar. We must ensure our schools are equipped to recognize signs of abuse and respond appropriately. Teachers, coaches, and school staff are often the first line of defense. Proper training and resources can make the difference between a child being rescued—or falling through the cracks. With this in mind, we passed legislation, SB 120, that requires school administrators and coaches to be trained on their duty to report and procedures for reporting child maltreatment and mandates student-athlete consent forms include information on the right to report child dependency, neglect, or abuse as well as a reminder of the mandatory reporting law.
By strengthening families, supporting community organizations, enforcing the law, and making sure our support systems are working, we can protect our children while staying true to conservative principles. Because every child deserves to grow up in a safe, loving home—and as Kentuckians, we will not settle for anything less.
If you are concerned that any child you know is the victim of abuse or neglect, please report to 1-800-752-6200 or 1-877-597-2331.
As always, I can be reached anytime through the toll-free message line in Frankfort at 1-800-372-7181. You can also contact me via email at Chris.Freeland@kylegislature.gov and keep track through the Kentucky legislature’s website at legislature.ky.gov.