By Melissa Patrick
Kentucky Health News
More health-related bills moved forward during the eighth week of the 2026 legislative session, with movement across legislative chambers. Here are some of them:
Medicaid overhaul – House Bill 2, sponsored by Rep. Ken Fleming, R-Louisville, otherwise known as the Kentucky Medicaid Reform Act, passed out of the House Appropriations and Revenue Committee with a committee substitute on Tuesday, Feb. 24, and out of the full House on Friday, Feb. 27, 77-21, with a committee substitute and a floor amendment. It will now move to the Senate for consideration.
Respiratory care – HB 36, sponsored by Rep. Steve Bratcher, R-Elizabethtown, would enter Kentucky into the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact (RCIC). This would allow licensed respiratory therapists in other member states to practice in Kentucky under compact privilege without compromising Kentucky’s standards. The bill passed out of the House Licensing, Occupations and Administrative Regulations Committee on Wednesday, Feb. 25, with a committee substitute and awaits a vote in the full House.
Diabetes – HB 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. HB 141 passed out of the House with a committee substitute on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 96-0. It now resides in the Senate for consideration.
Mental health and AI – 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 with a committee substitute and two floor amendments on Monday, Feb. 23. It now resides in the Senate for consideration.
Mental health for first responders – 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 full House on Wednesday, Feb. 25, and now resides in the Senate for consideration.
Budget – HB 500, sponsored by Rep. Jason Petrie, R-Elkton, otherwise known as the budget bill, passed out of the House Appropriations and Revenue Committee on Wednesday, Feb. 25, and the full House with a committee substitute on Thursday, Feb. 26, 81-18. It now awaits consideration in the Senate. The bill addresses funding for Medicaid, behavioral health and public health, among other state agencies and programs. Regarding the bill, Petrie said, “We’re still a long way from finished with the budget process, but this is a strong next step.”
Organ donation safety – HB 510, sponsored by House Majority Whip Jason Nemes, R-Middletown, 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 bill cleared the House, 97-0, on Wednesday, Feb. 25. It now resides in the Senate for consideration.
Sunscreen in schools – HB 586, sponsored by Rep. Mike Clines, R-Alexandria, clarifies that sunscreen is not a medication and ensures that students can apply sunscreen at school without a written order from a health care provider. The legislation cleared the House Primary and Secondary Education Committee on Wednesday, Feb. 25, and now awaits a vote in the full House.
Medicaid, non-opioid analgesics – Senate Bill 56, sponsored by Minority Floor Leader Gerald Neal, D-Louisville, would bar Medicaid programs and their pharmacy benefit managers from imposing stricter utilization controls on non-opioid analgesics than on opioids. The bill passed out of the Senate on Friday, Feb. 27, 35-0. It will now be sent to the Senate for consideration.
Medical doctor shortage – SB 137, sponsored by Sen. Stephen Meredith, R-Leitchfield, would eliminate a duplicative residency requirement for international doctors to practice in the state. The bill aims to bring more physicians to rural areas, where Meredith said only 17% of the state’s primary care physicians reside. The Senate Health Services Committee passed the bill with a committee substitute on Wednesday, Feb. 25. It now awaits a vote in the full Senate.
Medicaid oversight, SB 173, sponsored by President Pro Tempore David Givens, R-Greensburg, would create a new section of KRS Chapter 205 to define terms and establish an annual Medicaid state plan and Kentucky Children’s Health Insurance Program state plan legislative review process. The bill passed out of the Senate Health Services Committee with a committee substitute on Wednesday, Feb. 25, and now awaits a vote in the full Senate.
Medicaid pilot – Senate Concurrent Resolution 9, sponsored by Sen. Meredith, would direct the Legislative Research Commission to procure a vendor to conduct a feasibility study for an Accountable Communities for Health Medicaid delivery model pilot project. The study would also look at opportunities to implement such a model in Kentucky through a pilot program. The bill passed out of the House Health Services Committee on Thursday, Feb. 26, and awaits a vote in the full House.
Food is Medicine, Senate Joint Resolution 23, sponsored by Sen. Shelley Funke Frommeyer, R-Alexandria, declares Kentucky as a “Food is Medicine” state and directs state agencies to advance Food is Medicine initiatives. The resolution cleared the House Health Services Committee on Thursday, Feb. 26, and now awaits a vote in the full House.
