Commonwealth Policy Center

In 2019, Kentucky ranked number one in child abuse reports in the nation. According to a report by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Children’s Bureau “Child Maltreatment 2017,” the commonwealth reported 22 out of every 1,000 children are abused. This is double the national average. It was also reported that 54 Kentucky kids died from suspected child abuse. An additional 82 almost died last year. While the statistics are both startling and sad, one state Senator from West Kentucky, Danny Carroll of Paducah, introduced legislation that addresses suspected abuse and neglect cases identified by public school personnel. It’s a simple bill that ensures that a report of abuse is made before any investigation starts. The bill is SB 35 and will likely be heard in committee later this session.