Bill advances to ensure auditor has access to information about child, elder abuse complaints

by Sarah Ladd, Kentucky Lantern
February 27, 2025

FRANKFORT — A Kentucky bill that is expected to officially close a monthslong dispute between Kentucky’s Cabinet for Health and Family Services and Auditor Allison Ball’s Office of the Ombudsman is almost law. 

The House Families and Children Committee approved Senate Bill 85, which clarifies the ombudsman gets “any software and access rights.” 

The auditor has fought in court for access to a database the ombudsman needs to investigate complaints about the cabinet. The two offices interpreted the law regarding who had access to the database differently, which led to mediation and a court order allowing read-only access. 

Lawmakers move to ensure info is available to investigate complaints against state cabinet

Several Democrats passed on the vote — Reps. Tina Bojanowski, Rachel Roarx and Sarah Stalker.

“We did reach a resolution temporarily, with the understanding that we would come back before you to make sure the language is abundantly, 100%, no-way-around-it clear that we have access to that database,” Ball said in committee. “This is cleaning up that problem.” 

The dispute that led to the bill 

Ball’s office assumed oversight of the ombudsman from the cabinet on July 1, thanks to a law enacted in 2023 by the legislature, Senate Bill 48.  

The ombudsman’s job is to investigate and resolve complaints about agencies in the cabinet, including protective services for children and elderly Kentuckians. 

Those in favor of moving the ombudsman to the auditor and out of the cabinet said it was a conflict of interest for the cabinet to investigate complaints made about themselves. 

Despite the transfer, Ball’s office did not get immediate access to a computer system called iTWIST, which stores information about abuse and neglect cases. 

The ombudsman can’t do his job without access to iTWIST, (the Workers Information System), Ball has said. 

Ball eventually filed a lawsuit for the access, and the case was mediated and eventually settled in Franklin Circuit Court in late 2024. At that time, Judge Phillip Shepherd also said the legislature and the parties would work during the 2025 session to codify any needed clarification. 

SB 85 is that clarification. Should the bill pass on the House floor, where it heads next, it can head to Gov. Andy Beshear’s desk for a signature or veto. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Stephen Meredith, R-Leitchfield, has an emergency clause, meaning it would take effect immediately upon becoming law. 

Kentucky Lantern is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Kentucky Lantern maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jamie Lucke for questions: info@kentuckylantern.com.

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Kentuckian has confirmed case of measles

by Sarah Ladd, Kentucky Lantern
February 26, 2025

An adult Kentuckian has measles after traveling internationally “to an area with ongoing measles transmission,” the Kentucky Department for Public Health announced Wednesday night. 

People who were at the Planet Fitness at 101 Allen Way in Frankfort, on Feb. 17 between 9 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. may have been exposed, the department said. The patient attended this location “while infectious,” the department said. 

This is the first confirmed case of measles in a Kentuckian since February 2023. Officials are working to locate any people who may have been exposed through this person. 

Anyone who’s been exposed to the highly contagious measles should call their health care provider before going to ensure others are not exposed, Dr. Steven Stack, Kentucky’s public health commissioner, said in a statement.

Those who were exposed while unvaccinated need to quarantine for 21 days from the date of exposure, Stack said, and contact their health care provider if they develop symptoms, which can include rash, high fever, cough, runny nose and red or watery eyes. 

“Measles is one of the most contagious viruses in the world,” Stack said. “Fortunately, measles can be prevented with the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, which is safe and effective. Vaccines are an essential tool to keep children and adults safe and healthy.”

Measles is spread through the air from coughs or sneezes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. One infected person can infect nine in 10 unprotected people around them, the CDC says. 

Measles symptoms include fever, cough,runny nose, red eyes and a rash. The CDC recommends the measles vaccination series at 12-15 months and then at 4-6 years old. 

Kentucky Lantern is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Kentucky Lantern maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jamie Lucke for questions: info@kentuckylantern.com.

The post Kentuckian has confirmed case of measles appeared first on kentuckylantern.com

SUMMARY: Good morning! It’s a cold start with temperatures about 10°F lower than yesterday, resulting in some frost. Expect a warm-up to the upper 60s and low 70s by this afternoon. Winds will pick up from the southwest at 10 to 20 mph, bringing warmer air. Clouds are increasing, with a small chance of spotty showers by late afternoon. More significant rain is expected tonight into early Thursday morning, followed by potential heavier downpours later in the day. Cooler weather will return for Friday, with highs in the 50s, and another cool down is anticipated over the weekend.

A soggy Wednesday evening precedes a brief cool down before warmer temperatures return during the workweek next week! A more spring-like pattern appears to be settling in for the moment. Will it last? Stay tuned.

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