SEN. BRANDON STORM APPLAUDS HOUSE APPROVAL
OF SENATE BILLS 26 AND 64
Measures protect parental rights and strengthen infrastructure security
FRANKFORT, KY (March 11, 2025)—On Tuesday, the state House of Representatives approved two measures championed by Sen. Brandon Storm, R-London—Senate Bills (SB) 26 and SB 64.
SB 26 protects parents and prospective adoptive parents with disabilities from discrimination in adoption, parental rights, foster care, and kin placement decisions. By requiring individualized assessments and adaptive services, the bill aligns Kentucky law with the Americans with Disabilities Act while ensuring child welfare remains the top priority.
“SB 26 reinforces our commitment to fairness in family law, ensuring that no one is denied their parental rights solely based on disability,” Storm said. “I’m grateful for the collaborative work with the Kentucky Judicial Commission on Mental Health to get this bill to the finish line.”
SB 64 strengthens protections for Kentucky’s critical infrastructure, expanding legal safeguards to include cable, telephone, and broadband infrastructure. It addresses the growing problem of copper theft, which has led to 911 outages, power failures, and costly repairs. The House made a minor refinement in an agreed committee substitute, adding electrical highway infrastructure to the list of protected key infrastructure assets.
"With enhanced penalties for theft and vandalism, Senate Bill 64 prioritizes public safety and service reliability," Storm said. “I appreciate all the stakeholders who worked with me on this legislation.”
The bill includes an emergency clause, which will take effect immediately upon the governor’s signature or filing with the Secretary of State’s Office.
"I want to thank my colleagues in the House for recognizing the importance of these measures and moving them forward. With the governor’s signature, we will take immediate steps to protect families, uphold parental rights, and safeguard the infrastructure Kentuckians rely on daily," Storm said.
SB 26 was enrolled and will be sent to the governor’s desk for consideration. SB 64 can be delivered if the Senate concurs with the House’s substitute.
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Sen. Brandon J. Storm, R-London, represents the 21st Senate District, including Casey, Lincoln, Laurel, and Rockcastle Counties. He serves as chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee and as Senate co-chair of the Juvenile Justice Oversight Council. Storm is also a member of the Senate Committees on Transportation and on Banking and Insurance. He serves as a liaison member of the Budget Review Subcommittee on Justice. A 2023 esteemed Henry Toll Fellowship graduate, Storm was the only Kentuckian to participate in the program.
For a high-resolution .jpeg of Storm, please visit: https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators/Pages/Legislator-Profile.aspx?DistrictNumber=121 .