Media Contact

Samuel Crankshaw

March 18, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Advocates from the American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky have shared testimony with lawmakers in a written format due to limited Capitol access and public health recommendations to avoid large gatherings as a result of COVID-19. New safety measures announced Monday limit public access to the State Capitol and the committee hearing process, yet lawmakers continue advancing bills unrelated to COVID-19 or the state budget. 

  • ACLU-KY Staff Attorney Heather Gatnarek shared written testimony regarding Senate Bill 15, Marsy’s Law, with the House Standing Committee on Elections, Constitutional Amendments, and Intergovernmental Affairs. The committee will meet Thursday, March 19, 2020 at 10AM.
  • ACLU-KY Smart Justice Field Organizer Amanda Hall shared written testimony regarding House Bill 361, a bill relating to overcrowding in jails and prisons, with the Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary. The committee will meet Thursday, March 19, 2020 at 10AM.
  • Amanda Hall also shared written testimony in support of House Bill 368, a bill to end the ban on Kentucky Education Excellence Scholarship (KEES) money for people with past felony convictions. The committee will meet Thursday, March 19, 2020 at 11:30AM.

Read the written testimony for each bill in the PDFs below or here.

UPDATE AS OF WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2020, 10:45PM:

  • ACLU-KY Advocacy Director Kate Miller shared written testimony regarding House Bill 596, a bill relating to voting, with the House Standing Committee on Elections, Constitutional Amendments, and Intergovernmental Affairs. The committee will meet Thursday, March 19, 2020 at 10AM.