An important step forward in the debate surrounding the growing high school dropout rate was made this week. Our Education committee discussed a compromise bill that included my HB 94, raising the compulsory age of high school attendance to 18 over a number of years. First Lady Jane Beshear, Rep. Jeff Greer and I testified that raising the mandatory age; providing targeted resources to school districts; providing early graduation options; early intervention strategies, and involving parents, teachers and community support systems are all tools in the toolbox and components of the fix – not silver bullets designed to be the fix.
Domestic-violence was also on our legislative agenda this week. A bill package designed to beef up protections for dating partners in abusive relationships and expand the list of crimes that can be prosecuted under the state’s domestic-violence laws was approved in committee. HB 189 will also allow state courts to grant domestic violence restraining orders to dating partners, whether or not the couple is living together, has lived together or has a child together. Currently only partners who meet those criteria are able to seek a DVO against one another.
Increased penalties for drunk drivers who receive a first-time DUI conviction also came before us. Our Appropriations and Revenue Committee approved a bill requiring offenders to have a breath-sensing “ignition interlock” device installed in their vehicle. HB 58 will expand the list of factors that trigger higher DUI penalties. The license plate can be impounded on a first, or subsequent, DUI offense. Under current law, the courts can impound a DUI offender's plates on second or subsequent offense while their license is suspended and may order an interlock device be installed in their vehicle once their license suspension ends.
A good labor bill, also supported by employers, passed out of the House with a vote of 97-0. HB 349 implements recommendations of the Task Force on Unemployment Insurance and includes a Kentucky solution to the problem of long-term insolvency in the state unemployment insurance trust fund. The bill avoids increased federal unemployment taxes by adjusting employer contributions and claimant benefit levels to keep Kentucky businesses competitive with those in surrounding states. It also preserves the unemployment insurance safety net that assures economic security for Kentucky’s working men and women.