The conversations that happen in Frankfort over the next several months will shape not only public policy but the direction of leadership in our commonwealth for years to come.
Legislative sessions do not begin in January. They begin months earlier, with preparation, research, and listening. Our team works year-round to analyze proposed legislation, meet with lawmakers and community partners, attend committee hearings, and monitor activity on both the House and Senate floors. We do this, so Kentuckians aren't caught off guard by decisions that affect their rights, their families, or their futures.
We will continue providing real-time updates online, via email, and text, so people across the state know exactly when and how to make their voices heard. But advocacy does not belong to institutions alone. It belongs to the people most impacted by the laws being debated.
That is why we will continue offering training opportunities for volunteers, coalition partners, and community members who want to understand how the legislative process works and how to engage it effectively. When everyday Kentuckians speak directly to lawmakers about their lived experiences, the conversation changes. Policy becomes personal. And better outcomes become possible.
As we head into 2026, our priorities remain clear. We will defend and expand reproductive freedom, so people can make decisions about their own bodies and futures. We will protect the rights of immigrants and refugees who are part of the fabric of our communities. And we will stand ready to push back against any bill that threatens civil liberties, free expression, or equal treatment under the law.
Your engagement is essential. Whether you show up for a lobby day, speak with your legislator, or take action online, you are helping shape Kentucky’s future.
Our Signature Priority: The Family Preservation and Accountability Act
During the upcoming legislative session, our central policy focus will be the Family Preservation and Accountability Act. Last year, this bill passed the Kentucky House with overwhelming bipartisan support. Ninety-three lawmakers voted yes. None voted no. That kind of consensus is rare, and it matters.
It tells us something important. Lawmakers across the political spectrum recognize that Kentucky has to take a step forward to ensure better outcomes for our families.
Kentucky has one of the highest rates of children with an incarcerated parent in the nation. Nearly 12 percent of children in our state have experienced a parent being behind bars. That is more than 150,000 kids who have endured the trauma of separation, often with lifelong consequences.
Because Kentucky incarcerates women at one of the highest rates in the world, these separations fall especially hard on families already under strain. And the impact is not evenly distributed. Black families and low-income families are disproportionately affected, reflecting broader inequities in the criminal legal system.
The Family Preservation and Accountability Act offers a smarter, more humane path forward.
The bill expands sentencing alternatives. Instead of defaulting to prison sentences that destabilize families and increase the likelihood that children will enter foster care, the legislation allows judges to consider community-based options. These alternatives prioritize accountability and public safety while preserving family stability.
This approach is not soft on responsibility. It is smart about outcomes.
Research consistently shows that keeping families together when it is safe to do so reduces childhood trauma, supports rehabilitation, and lowers rates of reoffending. It also recognizes a basic truth that often gets lost in policy debates: children should not be punished for the mistakes of their parents.
The core idea behind this bill is simple and rooted in common sense. Kentucky kids should not serve their parents’ sentences.
When we invest in support rather than disruption, we strengthen our families. When we strengthen families, we build healthier, safer communities.
What Comes Next
This legislative session, we will be working closely with lawmakers, caregivers, advocates, and partners across the state to turn this bipartisan momentum into lasting change. And we will be asking Kentuckians to stand with us.
Policy advocacy works best when it is transparent, inclusive, and grounded in real experiences. The Family Preservation and Accountability Act reflects values shared by families across Kentucky: fairness, accountability, and the belief that children deserve stability and care.
We look forward to seeing you in Frankfort.