Committee advances bill to create Positive Youth Development commission and trust to support suicide prevention
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Summary
House Bill 686 would create a Kentucky Positive Youth Development Commission and a dedicated trust to fund community programming and suicide‑prevention work, including earmarking settlement proceeds from social‑media lawsuits; the committee reported the bill with favorable expression, 15‑0.
The House Families and Children Committee recommended House Bill 686 to the House floor after Representative Kim Mosier described the measure as a comprehensive effort to reduce youth suicide and strengthen supports for children and young adults.
Mosier said HB 686 would establish a Kentucky Positive Youth Development Commission attached to the cabinet (the Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities programs were discussed) to coordinate statewide youth development strategies, promote evidence‑based out‑of‑school programming, support community suicide‑prevention efforts and provide technical assistance to local partners. The bill also creates a dedicated trust and agency account to fund community programming for children and young adults up to age 25.
Funding sources named in the presentation included future state appropriations (though the bill contains no appropriation request), federal grants and gifts, and notably settlements or judgments related to social‑media harms to youth; Mosier said some ongoing lawsuits in the attorney general’s office could supply settlement funds. The bill sets aside at least 10 percent of the fund for administrative and technical assistance to ensure small and rural communities can participate.
Shannon Moody of Kentucky Youth Advocates told the committee that expanded out‑of‑school opportunities, mentoring and trusted‑adult connections are protective factors that can help address mental‑health challenges. Patty Clark, director for the Division of Mental Health within the Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities, and Beck Whipple, the state suicide prevention coordinator, described evidence‑based practices and the importance of local, multi‑agency response efforts.
The committee voted by roll call; the chair announced the vote was 15 to 0 with favorable expression and said the bill should move to the House floor.