summary
Introduced
01/27/2026
01/27/2026
In Committee
03/16/2026
03/16/2026
Crossed Over
03/03/2026
03/03/2026
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
Potential new amendment
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Create a new section of KRS Chapter 200 to define terms; establish procedures for a child charged with a public offense to determine if the child is a high acuity youth; establish procedures for securing a treatment plan and dispute resolution through a review process and the court if the parties cannot agree to a plan; require a 24-hour protocol for health facilities, the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, the Department of Juvenile Justice, and the courts to direct care; establish reimbursement rates for inpatient and outpatient psychiatric care of a child by psychiatric hospitals and pediatric teaching hospitals; establish procedures for discharge and transfer of the child from an inpatient admission under specific circumstances; amend KRS 15A.305 to include a mental health facility operated by the Department of Juvenile Justice as an identified facility for the detention and treatment of children; direct the operation of 2 female-only facilities with authority to increase as population increases; direct reimbursement rates for local governments lodging juveniles to be set by administrative regulation; amend KRS 600.020 to remove and add defined terms; amend KRS 610.265 to remove beginning date that is past; amend KRS 610.340 to enable release of information in specific circumstances; amend various sections of KRS to conform; authorize the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet to construct a high acuity youth mental health facility, subject to funding; direct the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to provide clinical services; direct the Department of Juvenile Justice to continue to implement the plan to return to a regional model of detention.
AI Summary
This bill aims to improve the juvenile justice system by establishing new procedures for identifying and treating "high acuity youth," which are children charged with offenses who exhibit significant aggression, violence, or property destruction and require specialized care. It mandates a behavioral assessment for such youth before admission to inpatient psychiatric facilities, requiring collaboration between healthcare providers, the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS), and the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) to develop and agree upon treatment plans, with court involvement for dispute resolution. The bill also directs the creation of a new high acuity youth mental health facility, establishes protocols for 24-hour care coordination, sets reimbursement rates for psychiatric care, and outlines procedures for discharge and transfer. Additionally, it modifies existing laws to include DJJ-operated mental health facilities for detention and treatment, mandates the operation of two female-only juvenile facilities with provisions for expansion, and directs how local governments are reimbursed for lodging juveniles. The bill also clarifies the release of information in specific circumstances and authorizes the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet to construct the new mental health facility, contingent on funding, while CHFS will provide clinical services and DJJ will continue its plan to return to a regional detention model.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance, Justice
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
returned to Judiciary (H) (on 04/01/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
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