McCoy: 2019 General Assembly’s work helping make Kentucky a safer place
By CHAD MCCOY
50th District State Representative
Friday, May 31, 2019 — We all know Kentucky is known for our horse racing and bluegrass music, but we also have a reputation for having the kindest and most hospitable residents, as well as safe, wholesome communities throughout our Commonwealth.
According to a recent report, Kentucky ranks 7th in the nation for our low violent crime rate. We lead the pack as one of the safest states in the country, and we didn’t get here by chance. The legislature has systematically worked to address the issue of crime and public safety in a number of ways. I would like to share with you the steps the legislature took this past session to improve public safety and make our families safer.
This past session, we strengthened Kentucky’s driving under the influence (DUI) laws by incentivizing more frequent use of ignition interlock devices by DUI offenders, which prevent cars from starting if alcohol is detected on someone’s breath. It mandates longer suspension periods for DUI offenders who choose not to use them. The bill does not change the current jail or fine scheme that is already in statute.
We heard testimony on the House floor of members whose lives had been affected by a drunk driver, and I am sure many of you know someone who has been hurt at the hands of someone driving under the influence. The hope is that with this new law in place, we will cut down on drunk driving incidents and save lives.
We also stiffened penalties on terroristic threatening. When HB 130 takes effect, it will be a Class C Felony to make terroristic threats against schools, houses of worship, or other public events by intentionally engaging in substantial conduct to prepare to carry out the act, such as gathering weapons or ammunition. Terroristic threatening is never acceptable, and with this increased penalty, individuals should think twice before engaging in such harmful and destructive behavior.
The legislature also extended protections to emergency medical services (EMS) by stiffening penalties for violence against EMS officers. HB 132 ensures that any person convicted of manslaughter in the second degree, reckless homicide, or attempt to commit murder of identifiable emergency service personnel serves at least 85 percent of their sentence prior to earning probation or parole. The measure amends the existing statute covering firefighters and peace officers to also include EMS workers, sending a message that our society does not tolerate the wrongful or unlawful killing of any first responder.
Along with stiffening penalties on those who target our first responders, we also sought to address the issue of domestic violence. Domestic violence is a serious issue and wholly unacceptable. The legislature took a strong step forward in protecting domestic violence victims and victims of strangulation by creating the crime of strangulation and classifying it as a Class D Felony. The measure adds strangulation to the definitions of domestic violence and abuse and dating violence and abuse.
Under previous statues, strangulation was not included in the definition of domestic violence, which made it more difficult to prosecute this violent crime. This bill will give victims and law enforcement the ability to prosecute assailants more broadly.
We also took steps to improve our rape kit tracking system. SB 97 seeks to speed up and improve the processing of sexual assault forensic evidence kits by requiring the Kentucky State Police to create a tracking system. Among the requirements is a website that would allow victims to track where in the process their kit is, granting victims some peace of mind. We have taken many positive steps in past legislative sessions to ensure a transparent and efficient progression in the processing of these kits, and I am glad we were able to continue that trend this year.
We in Kentucky know that nothing good comes without hard work and dedication. I am appreciative of the fact that many of my colleagues in the House and Senate worked this past session to make Kentucky a safer place to live and raise a family, which will always be a top priority of mine.
If you would like to share your thoughts on public safety or any other issue, please reach out to me. I can be reached here at home anytime, or through the toll-free message line in Frankfort at 1-800-372-7181. If you would like more information, or to e-mail me, please visit the legislature’s website www.legislature.ky.gov.
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