The Kentucky Senate today moved two bills that seek to improve the state's juvenile justice facilities.
Senate Bill 158 would require a third party complete an audit of the Department of Juvenile Justice.
More than $55 million would be appropriated if Senate Bill 162 becomes law.
That money would go toward giving pay increases to juvenile justice employees, supporting reforms and improving facilities.
The sponsors for the bills made it clear that improvement to the juvenile justice system was needed.
This is not going to resolve the crisis.
Their next bill is not going to resolve the crisis because this is a crisis of leadership.
And, Mr. President, it doesn't matter how much money we put toward resolving the crisis that D.J.. Until there's leadership.
The problem will not be solved.
All the things that have been occurring are, without question, a recipe for disaster.
And that disaster has manifested itself repeatedly over the past couple of years.
And today, even though temporary safety measures are in place, an overall progress in staffing is slowly improving.
Make no doubt the D.J.
remains in a state of crisis in many areas.
Senate Bill 162 also sets training standards for emergency situations and requires memorandums of agreement with local police departments for emergency response.
And SB 162 would ensure mental health treatment was available for children in the facilities.
Senators approved the two measures unanimously.
Now they go on to the House.