By Melissa Patrick
Kentucky Health News
Health bills are still moving in week seven of the 2026 legislative session, but aren’t seeing much movement once they pass over to the opposite chamber for consideration. Week seven marks the midpoint of the 60-day session.
Here are some of the health bills that saw action last week:
Diabetes – House Bill 141, sponsored by Rep. Derek Lewis, R-London, would create guidelines for the Department of Education to develop high-quality Type 1 diabetes informational materials for parents and guardians of students. It passed out of the House Standing Committee on Primary and Secondary Education with a committee substitute on Wednesday, Feb. 18, and is posted for passage in the House Regular Orders of the Day.
Addictive Online Platforms – HB 227, sponsored by Rep. Matt Lockett, R-Nicholasville, would require social media platforms to limit features designed to keep minors engaged for extended periods, such as auto-scrolling and algorithm-driven recommendations. It also would call on platforms to use existing age-verification methods to ensure parental consent is provided. The House Committee on Small Business and Information Technology moved the bill forward on Wednesday, Feb. 18. It now resides in the full House.
Artificial Intelligence and therapy – HB 455, sponsored by Rep. Kim Banta, R-Ft. Mitchell, would restrict the use of artificial intelligence (AI) by certain licensed professionals in therapy and psychotherapy services, including but not limited to licensed psychologists and licensed clinical social workers. The bill passed out of the House Standing Committee on Licensing, Occupations, and Administrative Regulations with a committee substitute on Wednesday, Feb. 18, and is posted for passage in the House Regular Orders of the Day.
Mental Health Care – HB 485, sponsored by House Majority Whip Jason Nemes, R-Middletown, and co-sponsored by chair of the House Health Services Committee Kim Moser, R-Taylor Mill, would change procedures for involuntary hospitalization and care of individuals with mental illness. The bill passed out of the House with a committee substitute and two floor amendments on Thursday, Feb. 19, 95-0. It now resides in the Senate for consideration.
First responders’ mental health – HB 486, sponsored by Rep. Bill Wesley, R-Ravenna, would allow rescue squad members to participate in the Alan “Chip” Terry Professional Development and Wellness Program. The bill passed out of the Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Protection Committee on Tuesday, Feb. 17. It now resides in the full House for consideration.
Organ Donors – HB 510, sponsored by Rep. Nemes, would require additional verification steps before organ procurement can begin. It would also clarify that donor consent must be properly documented and that a patient must be formally declared dead before organs are donated. The House Health Services Committee advanced the bill on Thursday, Feb. 19. It now resides in the full House for consideration.
Autism Trust Fund – SB 69, sponsored by Sen. Julie Raque Adams, R-Louisville, would create an autism spectrum disorder trust fund administered by the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services. It would allow individuals to donate their tax refunds to support research and support services. The fund could also accept grants, appropriations, and other types of contributions. The bill passed out of the Senate on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 37-0. It now resides in the House for consideration.
Youth vaping prevention – SB 74, sponsored by Sen. Craig Richardson, R-Hopkinsville, would ensure settlement funds received by the commonwealth from vaping manufacturer Juul Labs are dedicated specifically to youth vaping prevention and cessation efforts. The money currently goes to the General Fund. The bill passed out of the Senate Health Services committee with a committee substitute on Wednesday, Feb. 18. The next day, the Senate Rules Committee recommitted the bill to the Senate Appropriations & Revenue Committee.
Substance use disorder – Senate Joint Resolution 74, sponsored by Sen. Brandon Storm, R-London, would direct the Legislative Research Commission and state agencies to create a statewide fiscal map of substance use disorder programs and funding sources to support better policy, budgeting and accountability. The Senate voted in favor of the bill on Thursday, Feb. 19, 38-0. It now resides in the House for consideration.