Among the dozens of bills pre-filed this week in Frankfort, one is likely to garner a lot more attention than most of the others.
HB 67, also known as the Kentucky Life Amendment, has been introduced by Rep. Joe Fischer (R-Alexandria) mirrors language passed recently in Tennessee and West Virginia, inserting provisions in the Kentucky Constitution that state that nothing in the constitution enshrines a right to abortion or the public funding of an abortion. It’s straightforward, relevant, and apparently effective – abortion advocates are going ballistic.
At the time of writing, Representatives Maddox, Bechler, Hale, Lee, and Thomas are signed on as co-sponsors of the bill.
This effort and efforts like these across America are intersecting with an interesting time in the national political scene. With the U.S. Supreme Court set to take up a major abortion case in March, abortion advocates worry that Roe v. Wade may be on its way out the door, at least in part, if not in whole.
Of course, we’ve been praying for that for decades, literally.
Aside from the excitement of progress on the abortion front, some of Kentucky’s legislative leaders have signaled that they may be ready to tackle some of the tougher issues on the docket this session. House Speaker David Osbourne (R-Prospect), said that, aside from the budget, the House plans to focus on “pro-job” and “pro-family” legislation.
In addition to the Kentucky Life Amendment, legislators have also introduced a bill to protect privacy rights of students in showers, locker rooms, and bathrooms, a bill to legalize casino gambling, legalize marijuana for medicinal use, and more.
Legislators will have plenty of opportunities to prove just how “pro-family” they really are.
Before we get into the thick of the legislative process, we hope you’ll take a moment to familiarize yourself with your legislators (click here to find out who your legislators are). Sending your State Senator and State Representative an email thanking them for serving you, letting them know you’re praying for them, or asking how you can best help them serve the district are great ways to establish contact and build relationships that will make a difference.
Remember that, while they do work for you, they’re people who value friendship, fellowship, encouragement, and accountability the same way we all do.
Last year was a huge success for family advocates in Kentucky, and we plan to carry that momentum into this year’s session. We’ll have team members down at the Capitol every day during session and we’ll keep you updated.
If you’d like to stay in the loop this session, please click here to connect with us, subscribe to updates, and more. And, of course, if you’re willing to pitch in a few bucks to help us make a difference on legislation or educate Kentuckians on the importance of pro-family bills, you can click here to make a one-time or recurring tax-deductible donation to the cause.
The legislature will be back in Frankfort on Monday for the 5th legislative day of the 2020 session (Access the 2020 Legislative Calendar)
