UPDATE: HB 291 has passed the House unanimously! We are now asking you to contact your state senator. 

Kentucky has one of the highest rates of children with incarcerated parents in the U.S., with an estimated 12 % of children affected. The impact of parental incarceration has long-lasting consequences on children’s health, education, and future involvement in the justice system. With 64% of women and 55% of men incarcerated in Kentucky being parents, the need for change is urgent.

HB 291, the Family Preservation and Accountability Act addresses these challenges by expanding sentencing alternatives for primary caregivers convicted of non-violent offenses. This bill prioritizes family unity, reduces harm from the separation of parents and children, and offers a rehabilitative approach that preserves the parent-child relationship while safeguarding child safety.

Sentencing Alternatives for Primary Caregivers: Courts are required to consider an individual’s caregiver status before sentencing for non-violent offenses and explore alternatives to incarceration when the individual does not pose a safety risk.