Kentucky Auditor Sues Governor Over Implementation of Kinship Care Law

Kentucky's Republican auditor has sued Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear over the implementation of a state law intended to support adults who care for young relatives who suffered suspected abuse or neglect at home. The law, Senate Bill 151, aims to enable relatives to become eligible for foster care payments, but its implementation has been blocked due to a funding dispute. The governor's administration claims that nearly $20 million is needed to put the law into action, while lawmakers argue that they had approved sufficient funding.

Key Takeaways:

• The lawsuit, filed by Auditor Allison Ball, claims that the state Constitution requires Beshear's administration to "do whatever it takes" to carry out Kentucky laws.
• The dispute revolves around the availability of funds for the state Cabinet for Health and Family Services to implement Senate Bill 151, which aims to support kinship care.
• The law gives relatives more time to apply to become foster parents for their young relatives and makes them eligible for foster care payments to support the children already in their care.
• An estimated 55,000 Kentucky children are currently in kinship care, living with relatives or close family friends instead of their parents.
• The 2024 measure sailed through Kentucky's Republican-led legislature with overwhelming support and was signed into law by Beshear.
• Frustration over the dispute resurfaced when GOP lawmakers, including state Sen. Julie Raque Adams, called out Beshear's administration for not implementing the law.
• Ball's office started an investigation last October to determine whether the health and family services cabinet has the money to carry out the law or whether lawmakers needed to appropriate more funds.

Statistics:

• An estimated 55,000 Kentucky children are currently in kinship care.
• The 2024 measure requires nearly $20 million to put the law into action, according to the governor's administration.
• Kentucky lawmakers worked on the 2024 measure for months before signing it into law on April 2024.
• The 2025 legislative session was completed, but lawmakers are scheduled to reconvene in January 2026.
• The lawsuit was filed on Thursday by Auditor Allison Ball, with a state judge asked to "remind" the administration of its duty to implement the law.

Sources:

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