FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ)— Committees in the state Legislature continued their work Thursday with a full slate of proposed legislation on many of their agendas. The Senate Judiciary Committee approved the SB 84, dubbed “Dignity Bill Part 2” and sponsored by Senator Julie Raque Adams, which is aimed at providing pregnant women in incarceration the resources for […]

A bill that would prevent some teenagers from automatically being tried as adults in the court system passed out of a committee in the Kentucky legislature on Thursday. Senate Bill 36, the so-called “juvenile justice bill,” would do away with the state’s automatic transfer law, which requires minors age 14 or older to be tried […]

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ)— Legislation that would change many petty thefts from a felony t a misdemeanor cleared a key legislative committee Wednesday, drawing praise from criminal justice reform advocates. The House Judiciary Committee advanced HB 126, sponsored by Chairman C. Ed Massey, legislation aimed at bringing Kentucky’s felony theft threshold statutes to the national median of […]

The current session of the General Assembly offers an opportunity to continue to explore new avenues. 2020 was a trying time for the Commonwealth.  COVID-19 forced us to reconsider what was important and adjust how we conduct our daily affairs.  In our justice system, it meant keeping guards and people in incarceration safe by addressing […]

New and veteran lawmakers share their priorities, hear from directly impacted individuals in recovery, participate in reentry simulation Frankfort, KY (Dec. 17, 2020)— Kentucky Smart on Crime, a broad-based coalition comprised of partner organizations from across the Commonwealth held a 2021 Kentucky General Assembly Legislative Preview event on Dec. 15.  The event was co-hosted by […]

BR236 would eliminate a provision that prohibits individuals with felony convictions from eligibility for the KEES Scholarship Frankfort, KY (Nov. 18, 2020)— Kentucky Smart on Crime, a broad-based coalition comprised of partner organizations from across the Commonwealth, today endorsed BR 236, legislation prefiled by Kentucky State Representative James Tipton (Taylorsville), that would remove barriers to […]

Seventh-highest overall rate, third-highest female rate point to need for serious action from state lawmakers   Louisville, KY (Oct. 28, 2020)— New data from the federal agency charged with tracking criminal justice statistics around the nation again highlights Kentucky’s grim per capita imprisonment rate.   For the second year in a row, Kentucky had the seventh-highest […]

Coalition ramping up advocacy for justice system reforms LOUISVILLE, KY (Sept. 17. 2020) – Today, Kentucky Smart on Crime, a broad-based coalition that advocates for common-sense justice reforms that enhance public safety, strengthen communities, and promote cost-effective sentencing alternatives, announced the addition of three new partner organizations, NAACP of Kentucky, Kentucky Criminal Justice Forum, and […]

Over 30 organizations across the Commonwealth have built a comprehensive tool aimed at connecting formerly incarcerated individuals with the supports needed for a fresh start LOUISVILLE, Ky. (June 10, 2020)— Today, a group of over 30 supporting organizations launched a Kentucky Reentry Resource Guide for those returning to their communities after incarceration. The reentry hub is geared toward […]

Frankfort, Ky. (Mar. 18, 2020)—Today, the Kentucky Smart on Crime Coalition released the following statement after the Kentucky Senate passed bills relating to expungement as well as probation compliance credits.  HB327 and HB284 now head to concurrence before they can be sent to the Governor’s desk. “The Kentucky Smart on Crime Coalition commends the General […]