2018 Kentucky Law Changes

Though 2018 is only a portion of the way through, there have been a few significant law changes we’ve seen in the state of Kentucky that will impact many residents. Many of these were decided upon during the Kentucky General Assembly’s 2018 regular session and will begin to take effect in July 2018.

Here are some of the largest law changes and new bills we’ve seen pass in Kentucky during the first quarter of 2018 along with brief summaries of each change:

Pension Reform Bill:

In late March, Kentucky Republicans passed a controversial pension reform bill that affects teachers and other educators. It will force future Kentucky state teachers to receive pension benefits that are part of a hybrid cash balance plan with features of both a traditional pension plan and a 401k-style savings plan.

Tax Bill:

In April 2018, a new tax bill passed—the largest change to Kentucky’s tax code in more than a decade. The new tax bill attempts to balance cuts to the individual and corporate income tax by imposing a sales tax on select services. So far, these services do not include major services such as accounting services, legal services, and medical services.

Bicycle Safety:

House Bill 33 will require drivers to keep their cars at least three feet away from bicyclists when attempting to pass. If this amount of space is not available, the driver must use “reasonable caution” when passing.

Medicaid Work Requirements:

As of January 12, 2018, Kentucky is now the first state in the nation to require certain individuals who are on Medicaid to work or actively look for work while receiving state and federal benefits. These requirements are estimated to affect roughly 350,000 able-bodied, working-age Medicaid recipients in Kentucky and will require them to work at least 80 hours a month, volunteer, or be in job training.

Workers’ Compensation Reform Bill:

Expected to take affect on July 12, 2018, this bill addresses the disparate treatment of older workers receiving disability benefits as well as other significant changes to the workers’ compensation system in Kentucky. Among the other changes are a benefit period for permanent partial disability benefits, extension guidelines, evidence-based guidelines, an allowance for a waiver of utilization review, and new guidelines for drug testing. You can learn more about the bill here.

Financial Literacy:

House Bill 132 will require Kentucky students to pass a financial literacy course before graduating from high school.

Prescription Medications:

Senate Bill 6 will require Kentucky pharmacists to provide patients with information regarding how to safely dispose of certain medications such as amphetamines and opiates. The encouragement of safe disposal of opiate drugs may help prescription opioid drugs stay in the right hands of those who have been prescribed them.

For more information on how any of the laws above may affect your personal injury case or a case you’re considering seeing a lawyer about, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Thomas Law Offices today.