The ACLU team had a busy week in Frankfort during the eighth week of the 2020 legislative session. Our team is always working in a number of issue areas. Below are some specific highlights about key pieces of legislation we are following and what our team accomplished the week of February 23 to February 29.
ABOLITION OF THE DEATH PENALTY
SB154
This bill would abolish the death penalty for people diagnosed with a serious mental illness.
February 27, 2020: Bill passed out of Senate Judiciary Committee. Bill is heading to full Senate for a vote.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
SB15, Marsy's Law
February 25, 2020: SB15 passed out of full Senate and is heading to the House.
SB58, Limit to Pardon Powers
February 26, 2020: SB58 passed out of full Senate and is heading to the House.
SB62, Exclusionary Voting Rights Amendment
February 27, 2020: SB62 passed out of full Senate and is heading to the House.
Smart Justice
HB389
This bill would make it easier for doctors to give patients in recovery for substance use disorder the treatment they need.
February 26, 2020: HB389 passed out of the House Banking and Insurance Committee.
IMMIGRANTS' RIGHTS
SB1, Family Separation Bill
SB1 passed out of the full Senate in January. It has not been heard in a House committee yet. It is likely to be heard within the next couple of weeks. Keep calling your representative and asking them to OPPOSE SB1. Your calls have slowed this bill down. It's time to stop it in its tracks.
VOTING RIGHTS
SB2, Mandatory Voter ID Bill
SB2 passed out of the House Elections, Constitutional Amendments, and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee on February 20. The full House will likely vote on the bill next week. Ask your representative to OPPOSE SB2 before they vote. If SB2 passes in the House, it will head to the Governor's desk.
VIEW THE FULL LIST OF BILLS WE ARE TRACKING AND TAKE ACTION.