The Kentucky Senate has passed a measure aimed at reinforcing oversight and accountability in the state’s child welfare system.
Senate Bill (SB) 85, sponsored by state Sen. Steve Meredith, R-Leitchfield, “is a decisive step toward ensuring critical investigations into abuse and neglect cases are conducted without obstruction, bolstering transparency and public trust,” Meredith’s office said.
The bill, which carries an emergency designation (if passed the bill will go into effect immediately), ensures the Commonwealth Office of the Ombudsman has, according to Meredith, direct access to critical data by removing bureaucratic obstacles that have hindered investigations into child abuse and neglect cases.
“This legislation is about accountability, transparency and ensuring no case falls through the cracks,” Meredith stated. “The Ombudsman’s Office must have unfettered access to the tools necessary to advocate for our most vulnerable Kentuckians. SB 85 removes unnecessary red tape and ensures the proper oversight mechanisms are in place.”
Earlier this week, Kentucky Auditor Allison Ball testified before the Senate Families and Children Committee, chaired by Meredith, to highlight the urgent need for legislative action.
She noted that, without reforms, complaints against CHFS were at risk of being mishandled or ignored, stating, “Right now, the cabinet is acting as a gatekeeper on these complaints. We don’t need a middleman; things are being dropped in the handoff.”
Key provisions of SB 85:
- Clarifies and strengthens the roles of the Deputy Auditor and Ombudsman.
- Mandates Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) to prominently display Ombudsman contact information at all Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) offices.
- Grants the Ombudsman direct, read-only access to CHFS group email inboxes, eliminating administrative gatekeeping of complaints.
- Requires state agencies to provide software access to the Auditor’s Office to prevent future disputes over data-sharing.
- Strengthens confidentiality protections while allowing the Ombudsman to report de-identified data on abuse and neglect cases.
- Transfers a dedicated complaint phone line to the Ombudsman’s Office to ensure public access without interference.
The bill now moves to the Kentucky House for consideration.
For more information about SB 85 or to follow its progress through the 2025 Kentucky General Assembly, visit www.legislature.ky.gov.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
