LAWMAKERS MOVE TO IMPROVE EXECUTIVE BRANCH ACCOUNTABILITY

AND GOVERNMENT ACCESSIBILITY THROUGH MCDANIEL’S BILL 79

Senate Bill 79 addresses DJJ personnel challenges, requires 

executive branch employees’ return to in-person work

FRANKFORT, KY (Feb. 20, 2025)—Following a series of high-profile incidents highlighting operational failures within Kentucky’s juvenile detention facilities, the Kentucky General Assembly is advancing Senate Bill (SB) 79, which includes a provision to increase accountability and strengthen personnel management within the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ).

The legislation, sponsored by Senate Budget Chair Chris McDaniel, R-Ryland Heights, requires executive branch agency employees to return to in-person work setting—but allows designated leaders in the executive, judicial, and legislative branches to set a policy allowing up to two monthly telework days for certain employees. The bill also reclassifies wardens as non-merit employees to address challenges in juvenile detention facilities, and allow for faster leadership changes when needed.

This shift within DJJ will give executive branch officials greater flexibility to address performance concerns and implement needed changes in facility leadership without the restrictions that often complicate the removal of underperforming staff.

“Public safety and the well-being of youth in state custody depend on effective, accountable leadership in these facilities,” said McDaniel. “When repeated failures come to light, the state must respond quickly and decisively to protect the integrity of the juvenile justice system.”

The bill comes amid reports of misconduct and mismanagement at certain DJJ facilities, including missed mental health screenings, unsafe living conditions, and inaccurate internal reporting. These deficiencies have drawn scrutiny from federal investigators and raised public concerns about facility operations.

Beyond the changes to DJJ leadership, SB 79 introduces broader reforms to modernize and improve the state’s personnel practices:

  • Enhanced personnel board oversight to strengthen the board’s authority to address performance and misconduct

  • Streamlined workforce management to grant the Personnel Cabinet more flexibility to manage layoffs and job classifications

  • Consistent payroll practices to standardize rules for leave transfers and final paychecks

  • Job security for full-time employees to adjust policies to prioritize retaining full-time staff

“These reforms are about more than just efficiency,” said McDaniel. “They are about protecting the public, supporting employees who do their jobs well, and ensuring that leadership failures—especially in sensitive areas like juvenile detention—are met with swift, decisive action.”

SB 79 passed the Senate and is now awaiting consideration in the House.

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Sen. Chris McDaniel, R-Ryland Heights, represents the 23rd Senate District in northern Kenton County. McDaniel serves as chair of the Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee and co-chair of the 2024-26 Budget Preparation and Submission Committee. He is an ex-officio member of each budget review subcommittee. Additionally, McDaniel is a member of the Senate Committees on Licensing and Occupations and State and Local Government. He is also a Public Pension Oversight Board member.

Please visit https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators%20Full%20Res%20Images/senate123.jpg for a high-resolution .jpeg of McDaniel.

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