Director, Commonwealth Policy Center

The Kentucky legislature considered hundreds of bills this last session and many of them had to do with the breakdown of the family. One bill would have reduced bail for low-level offenses for parents that have children in the home. As it is, Kentucky has one of the highest incarceration rates for parents who have children at home. Of course, once a parent goes to jail, especially if they're a single parent, then the state often gets involved. This bill would have significantly reduced bail for such parents that couldn't afford it. Critics might say that such laws are caving into the demands of someone who broke the law. But the intent is to look at what's in the best interest of the child. Families are breaking down and it's in the best interest of the state to keep families intact.