State Government

One complaint stemmed from Atkins' conduct during a trial for a defendant charged in connection with child abuse at the First United Methodist Church daycare.

Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer said, “It’s time to blow up that board and start over.”

“The hair that God gave you ought to be the hair that you get to wear,” said bill sponsor Sen. Whitney Westerfield, R-Fruit Hill.

Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates, called the bill an “important effort to keep more kids safe.” 

The announcement comes as 12 GOP politicians try to distinguish themselves ahead of the primary election in May.

Rocco D’Ascenzo of Duke Energy Kentucky told lawmakers the bill would impose an “impossible hurdle."

Margaret Prim and Ruth Lynch were named in appointments by Gov. Andy Beshear.

Some senators are calling the proposal a book banning mechanism while proponents said it brings issues of inappropriate material to light.

The proposal is the third abortion-related bill filed by Republicans so far this session, but the first to introduce new exceptions to current abortion restrictions.

KBA is an agency of the Kentucky Supreme Court, which has delegated to the association responsibilities for regulating the practice of law, including lawyer discipline and continuing education.

Bill sponsor Sen. Stephen Meredith, R-Leitchfield, said he wants to protect KET's integrity. The current board is "leaning very partisan," he said.

Lawmakers have filed a constitutional amendment to change the law — a shift that has strong public support, according to a recent poll.