https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators/Pages/Legislator-Profile.aspx?DistrictNumber=29

Representative Chris Lewis - House District 29, 702 Capital Avenue, 329 Capitol Annex, Frankfort, KY (2026)

10/08/2026

I recently spent some time with advocates and residents of Cedar Lake Lodge. They do an amazing job of caring for our adult population who have developmental and intellectual disabilities. I am proud to have championed the legislature’s $3 million investment in this last budget cycle to update their residential facilities.

10/06/2026

Enjoyed speaking at the Fern Creek Community Association and Chamber of Commerce luncheon today. I was able to give an update on the Bardstown Road project and a few other things happening in Frankfort! Thanks to Jean Henle for the invite.

09/25/2026

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Representative Chris Lewis

Session Results: House Judiciary
The House Judiciary Committee handles a broad range of issues affecting Kentucky’s courts, laws and justice system. The judiciary is one of the three branches of government established in our state Constitution, and the committee’s work reflects that important role, covering areas such as civil and criminal law, family and juvenile matters, property and contracts, wills and estates, evidence and court procedures, as well as corrections, probation and parole.

During the 2026 Regular Session, the committee considered legislation addressing many of these areas, with several bills ultimately clearing the House and becoming law. These include:

HB 4 defines and criminalizes behavior commonly referred to as “grooming.” Under provisions of HB 4, grooming refers to the manipulative and deceptive process by which a predator builds a relationship with a vulnerable person, such as a child, to gain their trust and access for abuse or exploitation.

HB 5 expands prison-based education and job-training programs proven to reduce crime by developing a model vocational campus at a state prison offering intensive education and workforce training while completing their sentences.

HB 58 places limits on ALPR data, requiring it to be destroyed within 90 days unless it is tied to an active criminal investigation, and prevent it from being sold or shared outside lawful purposes.

HB 78 establishes liability protections for manufacturers and sellers of fi****ms and am******ons against specific legal actions arising from criminal or unlawful use of fi****ms or am******on. Vetoed. Overridden.

HB 188 expands the scope of assault in the third degree to include healthcare workers in jails, penitentiaries, and local or state correctional or detention facilities.

HB 264 updates existing statute to clarify that if someone lists or advertises a house, apartment, or commercial property for sale or rent without actually owning it or having permission from the owner, the law will assume they are trying to deceive people.

HB 305 strengthens procedures around grand jury proceedings by extending the statute of limitations applicable for knowingly recording the proceeding or disclosing any information gathered while present during a proceeding. The provisions do not apply to commonwealth’s attorneys, their staff, or peace officers engaged in their official duties.

HB 366 criminalizes the intentional possession or viewing of s*xual images of minors, including those created with AI.

HB 422, Logan’s Law, expands the definition of violent offender, increases the minimum time an offender must serve before becoming eligible for parole from 25 to 35 years, and limits early release options for violent felons.

HB 521 strengthens protections for survivors by capturing real-world stalking patterns that frequently intersect with s*xual violence.

HB 529 updates statutes relating to the appointment, service, and operation of the Kentucky Parole Board, ensuring consistency, transparency, and functionality in parole decision-making while maintaining a strong focus on public safety and victims’ rights.

HB 542 strengthens protections for property owners facing eminent domain.

HB 762 clarifies how cases involving the Department of Public Advocacy are handled and allows publicly funded legal resources to be concentrated on cases where incarceration is a real possibility.

SB 17 formally recognizes the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Network in statute, streamlines local board requirements to reflect community needs, updates program standards to align with state oversight, and makes technical changes to clarify references to the Department for Community Based Services and ensure consistency in child fatality and near-fatality review laws.

SB 50 modernizes probate, estate, and trust laws and adopts five key uniform laws.

SB 66 creates more consistent DUI enforcement with changes that include eliminating urine testing as evidence, strengthening implied consent requirements and adding fentanyl, clonazepam and cyclobenzaprine to the state’s per se DUI laws.

SB 170 creates a 10-school district pilot program to address truancy and attendance issues before they escalate further into the juvenile justice system.

SB 195 modernizes civil litigation while protecting constitutional rights by barring recovery for plaintiffs 50% or more at fault, allowing juries to consider third-party fault, limiting medical damages to amounts actually paid or owed, and establishing clearer procedures for malpractice and personal injury claims, including notice and documentation requirements.

As always, I can be reached anytime through the toll-free message line in Frankfort at 1-800-372-7181. You can also contact me via email at [email protected] and keep track through the Kentucky legislature’s website at legislature.ky.gov.

09/21/2026

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Representative Chris Lewis

Lawmakers discuss addiction and recovery during National Recovery Month
September marks National Recovery Month, a time to raise awareness about substance use disorders and mental health conditions, promote evidence-based treatment, and celebrate individuals in recovery. During this month’s meeting of the Interim Joint Committee on Health Services, lawmakers had a robust discussion on treating substance use disorders and supporting prevention and recovery efforts.

When someone needs treatment for a substance use disorder or is experiencing a behavioral health crisis, timely access to care is critical. Kentucky is working to meet this need through its 10 Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, or CCBHCs, which cover more than 80% of the state’s population. Recognizing that individuals often face several challenges, CCBHCs also connect individuals with wraparound supports to help sustain recovery. By coordinating care and addressing needs, CCBHCs can help prevent more serious problems and provide cost-effective care. Presenters from two certified CCBHCs in Kentucky noted that every $1 invested in CCBHCs could save the state an estimated $3 to $15 down the line. To ensure this work continues, lawmakers were asked to make CCBHCs a covered service under the Kentucky Medicaid State Plan.

Making treatment accessible means not only ensuring people have somewhere to receive care, but also ensuring they can receive the treatment that best meets their needs. An important part of this process is making sure regulations around treatment protect patient safety without creating unnecessary barriers to care. As part of the discussion, presenters highlighted the impact of Kentucky’s current regulations on buprenorphine, a lifesaving medication used to treat opioid use disorder. They argued that current regulations limit access while emphasizing the importance of further integrating care for substance use disorders into primary care and removing unnecessary regulatory barriers.

Access to care and treatment is an important part of recovery, but sustaining recovery often requires more. For many individuals, lasting recovery also requires accountability, structure, discipline, and responsibility. The Stable Recovery Program demonstrates what this can look like in practice, bringing together recovery housing, clinical services, and workforce development in one place. By training program participants for careers in the equine industry, individuals learn valuable skills and complete meaningful work as they begin to heal and rebuild their lives. Stable Recovery also helps connect graduates with reliable employment, providing continued support and stability as they transition out of the program.

While care, treatment, and recovery are essential parts of addressing substance use disorders, preventing dangerous drugs from reaching our communities in the first place is critical. The director of the Northern Kentucky Drug Strike Task Force noted that fentanyl remains a significant part of the drug supply, while substances found in counterfeit drugs create additional challenges. While there is more work to be done, the director also mentioned that drug traffickers are deterred from importing fentanyl into the Commonwealth due in part to a law the General Assembly passed to strengthen penalties for such actions. Going forward, continued collaboration between law enforcement, prosecutors, public health treatment providers, and lawmakers will be key.

The opioid epidemic continues to impact Kentucky communities, making it all the more important that opioid abatement settlement funds be invested wisely in prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts. The Kentucky Opioid Abatement Commission, which is responsible for helping distribute a portion of the funds, awarded 114 grants totaling around $32 million this last funding cycle. The presentation also highlighted the commission’s commitment to accountability and transparency, demonstrated by its creation of a dashboard on its website that allows individuals to see how much funding has gone to their county or city government.

Although substance use was a central focus of the meeting, lawmakers also discussed youth social media addiction and mental health. The Attorney General’s Office spoke about the recent Meta settlement, including things Meta must do to strengthen protections for minors and the approximately $358 million in guaranteed funds that Kentucky will receive. While presenters discussed several suggested uses for settlement funds, the ultimate decision rests with the legislature.

One proposed piece of legislation would create a framework to make sure Meta settlement funds are spent on positive youth development programming that occurs outside of school hours. More specifically, the legislation would create a dedicated fund that could accept social media settlement funds, gifts, and grants to support programs aimed at improving outcomes for youth and reducing self-harm and su***de risk.

Together, these conversations reflect the many ways Kentucky is working to address addiction, support recovery, and strengthen behavioral health. During National Recovery Month, may we reflect on the progress Kentucky has made and the work that remains ahead.

As always, I can be reached anytime through the toll-free message line in Frankfort at 1-800-372-7181. You can also contact me via email at [email protected] and keep track through the Kentucky legislature’s website at legislature.ky.gov.

09/15/2026

Busy Day in Frankfort with both State Government and Local Government Committees, and then a great meeting with Deputy Mayor Nicole George and the LMPD Safe and Healthy Streets team. Homelessness is down, illegal encampments are down, and people are actually getting the treatment they desperately need to stay off the streets. There’s more work to be done, that’s certainty true, but significant progress has been made.

09/11/2026

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Representative Chris Lewis

Session Results: Families and Children
The meeting will focus on strengthening support for Kentucky children and families involved in the child welfare system. Members will hear about services ranging from community-based support to specialized care for children with higher needs, review proposed foster care toolkit legislation, and discuss respite care programs for foster and kinship families. The committee will also receive an update on recent reports examining ways to prevent child abuse and strengthen Kentucky’s child welfare system, including recommendations from the Kentucky Upstream Academy and Social Welfare Foundation.

Legislation approved by the committee that eventually became law this year includes:

HB 6 expands safe, affordable child care for working parents, removes barriers for children with disabilities, and promotes community-based innovation. It strengthens the Child Care Assistance Program, enhances quality ratings, improves transparency, and permanently establishes the CCAP income exclusion - creating a more accessible, high-quality system that supports families and children statewide.

HB 611 updates and strengthens Kentucky’s domestic violence data collection and reporting by requiring more detailed information from courts and law enforcement.

HB 669 prohibits a practice sometimes referred to as benefits mining, which allows the state to take benefits, including survivor benefits, owed to children in foster care. Vetoed. Overridden.

HB 778 strengthens child welfare by barring foster, relative, or adoptive placements in homes with registered s*x offenders, improving information sharing with schools and agencies, and enhances child fatality reviews, ensuring children in state custody are placed in safe, supportive environments tailored to their needs.

HJR 50 directs the state auditor to study the applicable statutes, administrative regulations, and agency policies that impact the opening and operating of licensed and certified child care centers and report findings and recommendations to the legislature. Vetoed. Overridden.

SB 122, the Family Preservation and Accountability Act, reduces unnecessary family separation by allowing courts to consider alternative sentences for certain non-violent charges against parents or caretakers of dependent children.

In addition to the bills and joint resolution passed this session, the legislature also adopted a simple resolution, HR 126, that sends a message urging the federal government to give states more flexibility in testing new ways to reduce the barriers that keep people from jobs and self-sufficiency. The vast majority of our safety net programs trace their roots – and funding – to the federal government. This is tremendously helpful in both funding and a uniform approach, but Kentucky has far too many people who could and should be working. We must find ways to move folks into the workforce – for their good and the Commonwealth’s.

The committee continues its work throughout the interim, meeting with their Senate counterparts and hearing from advocates and other stakeholders about how these measures are being put to use and potential future changes. This month’s meeting, scheduled for September 16, will focus on strengthening support for Kentucky children and families involved in the child welfare system. Members will hear about services ranging from community-based support to specialized care for children with higher needs, review proposed foster care toolkit legislation, and discuss respite care programs for foster and kinship families. The committee will also receive an update on recent reports examining ways to prevent child abuse and strengthen Kentucky’s child welfare system, including recommendations from the Kentucky Upstream Academy and Social Welfare Foundation.

As always, I can be reached anytime through the toll-free message line in Frankfort at 1-800-372-7181. You can also contact me via email at [email protected] and keep track through the Kentucky legislature’s website at legislature.ky.gov.

09/04/2026

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Representative Chris Lewis

Legislature continues budget oversight
While most of the state looks toward Labor Day weekend, a time when Kentuckians are thinking hard about what it means to work, earn, and build a future, the legislature’s budget work reflects that same spirit. The Interim Joint Committee (IJC) on Appropriations and Revenue and its budget review subcommittees (BRs) met the first week of September to hear updates on how various programs, agencies, and cabinets are implementing the new state budget.

By holding the line on spending, strengthening reserves, and insisting on responsible planning, lawmakers have kept Kentucky on solid footing without tax increases, and in fact have delivered tax cuts that let hardworking people keep more of what they earn. That commitment to disciplined budgeting shows up across every subcommittee’s work this month, from safeguarding investments and improving public services to supporting economic growth and long‑term stability for families and communities. This month’s meeting agendas included:

IJC on Appropriations & Revenue: Members heard from the budget review subcommittees that met this month. They examined several issues, including health data collection, spending in underserved areas, Budget Reserve Trust Fund returns, Kentucky Horse Park allocations, the HB 9 23RS GRANT program, Department of Corrections lawsuits, inmate transition of care, employee pay, and transportation contracts. Members also heard from the Kentucky Association of Highway Contractors about Kentucky’s road project letting process, as they highlighted how inflation is outpacing increased funding, creating uncertainty for contractors and contributing to reduced hours and workforce concerns.

BR Subcommittee on Justice & Judiciary: Members heard from the Department of Corrections on the history and status of its contract with Wellpath. The presentation also addressed ongoing litigation concerning the state’s obligation to reimburse county jailers for the care of state inmates housed in local facilities. The Department of Public Advocacy provided an update on the implementation of HB 762, which increased compensation for department attorneys and changed the agency’s responsibilities.

BR Subcommittee on Economic Development, Tourism, & Environmental Protection: Members first received a presentation from the Cabinet for Economic Development on Kentucky’s recent economic achievements, including national rankings and continued investment across the state through the GRANT program. Members also heard an update on significant improvements at the Kentucky Horse Park. These improvements are supported by state funding that advances arena upgrades, infrastructure repairs, museum renovations, and new visitor amenities, highlighting how these projects strengthen tourism, the community, and long-term economic growth across the Commonwealth.

BR Subcommittee on General Government, Finance, Personnel, & Public Retirement: Lawmakers discussed the State Investment Commission, the entity that oversees the investments of the Commonwealth with a goal of preserving principal, maintaining liquidity, and maximizing return. The commission includes the state treasurer, the secretary of the Finance and Administration Cabinet, the state controller, and two governor appointees representing banks across the state. An update was provided on the numbers from fiscal year 2025-2026.

BR Subcommittee on Transportation: Members heard from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC). An overview was provided to committee members on the process of Personal Service Design Contracts. Cabinet representatives explained their use of qualification-based selection in order to find the best consultant to complete the project. Requests for proposals are made by KYTC, and consultants submit their proposals for consideration. The selection committee then has the responsibility of choosing the consultant to lead the project. The cabinet also presented information on the cash management system used for the road fund. The cash-flow financing program allows projects and payments to extend, if needed, beyond the biennium they were allocated for.

BR Subcommittee on Health & Family Services: Legislators learned about Norton Children’s Hospital’s plans to build a pediatric care village in Jefferson County, which will include a full-service hospital for children with complex medical needs, research facilities, and expanded specialty services. Community input has shaped the planning process, with mental and behavioral health, autism, and neurosciences identified as the top three requested services. The project is expected to create around a thousand new jobs and generate a $2.94 billion economic impact from initial construction, while expanding access to care and attracting top talent. Phase One planning is expected to begin in early 2027.

As always, I can be reached anytime through the toll-free message line in Frankfort at 1-800-372-7181. You can also contact me via email at [email protected] and keep track through the Kentucky legislature’s website at legislature.ky.gov.

09/01/2026

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Representative Chris Lewis

Childhood has changed, our responsibility has not
Earlier this year, 96 members of the Kentucky House of Representatives stood together to protect Kentucky’s children by voting for HB 227. The measure took aim at addictive online features incorporated by technology companies who placed profit over safety. Its provisions would have required age restrictions on content, expanded parental monitoring features, and strengthened age verification protocols.

In other words, it would have curbed features like doom-scrolling, autoplay and empowered parents to have the tools they need to monitor and manage their child’s use of social media. While the measure did not receive a vote in the Senate, many of those provisions will now become reality as part of a historic multi-billion-dollar settlement reached by Kentucky, 47 other states and Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram. It comes on the heels of a lawsuit filed alleging that the company harmed children through its social media platforms. The states alleged that Meta intentionally designed its platforms with addictive features and knowingly exposed children to serious mental harms.

This settlement is one of the largest state consumer protection settlements in our nation’s history and the result of a great deal of work by Attorney General Russell Coleman and his staff. The case went to trial, but the expected six- to eight-week trial ended after just one week when the parties reached a settlement.

The overall settlement is expected to be somewhere between $17 and $18 billion, with Kentucky set to receive approximately $358 million. Because the legislature is the only branch of government given the constitutional authority to allocate the state’s resources, the Kentucky General Assembly will ultimately determine the best use of these funds. I believe we will follow the same pattern of responsible spending we have used over the past ten years—ensuring that every dollar is invested in a way that benefits our children and strengthens their future.

While lawmakers are already discussing potential plans, we also celebrate another part of the settlement that strengthened protections for minors, including:
Time limits on social media use
Blocking access between midnight and 6 a.m.
Stronger age verification
Greater control over content shown to minors
Stronger parental controls

These provisions mirror, in part, those of HB 227, but I still expect an updated version of the bill to include more protections when we convene in January. In the meantime, Meta has stated that it hopes other major social media platforms, including TikTok and YouTube, will adopt similar safety measures so protections are consistent across platforms.

This settlement is great news and a major step. However, the work is far from over—and now a great deal of it lies with parents, guardians, and other adults in a child’s life. We have to remember that we are the adults, that we are ultimately responsible for how long a child scrolls, who they text, and what they download. We can say “no,” and we can and should be reading texts, opening Apps, and monitoring.

We know we will probably never return to the days when kids could ride their bikes around the neighborhood until the streetlights came on, checking in with their parents only when it was time for dinner. The world has changed, and technology has changed with it. However, our responsibility has not. We have to protect children from predators, whether those predators are real or virtual, and whether they are after a child’s safety, their money or their personal information. The threats may look different today, but the need to protect childhood is just as important as it has ever been.

As always, I can be reached anytime through the toll-free message line in Frankfort at 1-800-372-7181. You can also contact me via email at [email protected] and keep track through the Kentucky legislature’s website at legislature.ky.gov.

08/21/2026

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Representative Chris Lewis

Mental health commitment laws: More options, safer communities, better care
For nearly 50 years, Kentucky’s mental health commitment laws largely left courts with two difficult choices when someone experiencing serious mental illness was found to be a danger to themselves or others: involuntary hospitalization or release. That has now changed.

House Bill 485, enacted as part of Senate Bill 122, modernizes Kentucky’s mental health statutes and gives courts another option: outpatient treatment. The law allows courts, under specific circumstances, to order an individual to participate in treatment while remaining in the community. Those requirements can include taking prescribed medication, participating in treatment programs or following up with medical providers.

This is an important shift because treatment does not always have to mean hospitalization. For some individuals, the most appropriate path may be receiving care while remaining connected to their families, communities and support systems.

The changes made by HB 485 did not happen overnight. They were the result of years of work among people who see the challenges of serious mental illness from different perspectives — including judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, mental health professionals, advocates, families and state health officials.

That collaboration was important because mental health policy requires a careful balance. We have a responsibility to protect public safety, but we also have a responsibility to make sure people experiencing serious mental illness have access to appropriate care and that their constitutional rights are protected.

HB 485 also updates definitions related to mental illness, clarifies procedures for involuntary hospitalization, establishes certification review processes and strengthens coordination between courts and health care providers.

The law makes additional changes to Kentucky’s forensic commitment statutes, which apply to individuals found incompetent to stand trial for certain violent offenses. Those changes include extending the deadline for evidentiary hearings from 20 to 45 days, clarifying legal procedures and adjusting review requirements. In most cases, review hearings will occur at least every two years unless circumstances change, while courts retain jurisdiction.

At its core, the goal is straightforward: connect people with the level of treatment they need while using the least restrictive setting appropriate to their circumstances.

Too often, people living with serious mental illness can become caught in a cycle of emergency rooms, jails and crisis situations without receiving the consistent treatment that could help them stabilize. Families can be left struggling to find answers, while law enforcement and the courts are asked to respond to situations that are ultimately rooted in a need for health care.

HB 485 gives Kentucky another tool to address those situations.

The implementation of this legislation also demonstrates the value of bringing people with different experiences to the same table. Mental illness affects families across Kentucky, regardless of political affiliation, geography or background. Finding practical solutions requires listening to the people who understand the system from the courtroom, the hospital, the treatment setting and the family living room.

There is still work to do. Changing the law is only one part of improving Kentucky’s mental health system. We must continue working to ensure treatment options are available, providers have the resources they need and families know where to turn when someone they love is experiencing a mental health crisis.

But HB 485 represents meaningful progress.

By giving courts more options, strengthening coordination between health care and the justice system, and emphasizing appropriate treatment while protecting constitutional rights, Kentucky is taking a more comprehensive approach to serious mental illness.

Most importantly, the measure is about people. It is about helping individuals receive appropriate care, supporting families, reducing unnecessary involvement with the criminal justice system and keeping communities safe.

As always, I can be reached anytime through the toll-free message line in Frankfort at 1-800-372-7181. You can also contact me via email at [email protected] and keep track through the Kentucky legislature’s website at legislature.ky.gov.

08/19/2026

Started my day with a tour of Goodwill’s opportunity campus with Congressman Comer and some of my colleagues in the legislature. The work they’re doing, particularly with addressing the recidivism rate is absolutely incredible!

Representative Chris Lewis - House District 29

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