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Committee advances bill to add transparency, specialist representation to driver medical review board
Summary
The committee reported Senate Bill 43 with a committee substitute that updates KRS 186.444 to clarify which health care providers may serve, adds transparency measures, and changes reimbursement language for board members.
The House Transportation Committee on Thursday reported Senate Bill 43 with a committee substitute that updates the state statute governing the driver medical review board, adding specificity about which health care providers may serve, increasing process transparency and changing the reimbursement language for board members.
Senator Donald Douglas (District 22), the bill sponsor in the House committee, described the measure as an update to KRS 186.444 to address evaluation and disposition of cases involving drivers with physical or mental impairments. “The bill does not alter the purpose of the medical review board, but it certainly adds a lot more transparency,” Douglas said.
Sponsors and members said the changes respond to constituent complaints about anonymous reporting and the board’s process. Senator Jimmy Higdon recounted a constituent who sought a disabled veteran’s license plate and later was referred to the medical review board despite a VA physician’s assessment that the individual was “physically fit to safely operate a motor vehicle.” Members said the substitute removes a near‑anonymous reporting pathway and narrows who may initiate review. The substitute also requires one board member to have a specialty relevant to the case under review.
A point of committee discussion concerned compensation. Representative Donworth asked why the substitute removed a fixed $200 per day payment for board members; members and witnesses said the transportation cabinet will set reimbursement by administrative regulation and will aim to minimize costs while ensuring reasonable reimbursement for expenses.
Formal action: the committee adopted the committee substitute, passed the bill as amended, and reported it with a favorable expression; members also approved a title amendment on the bill.
Next steps: sponsors and members asked the Transportation Cabinet to produce administrative regulations that clarify reimbursement and implementation details prior to the bill’s effective date.
