Kinship care law still unfunded after lawsuit dismissal, leaving Kentucky families without their promised benefits

FRANKFORT, Ky. — More than a year after 2024's Senate Bill 151 became law in Kentucky, families caring for children through kinship care are still waiting for the support they were promised.

Senate Bill 151, commonly referred to as the “Kinship Bill,” was signed into law by Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear to provide kinship caregivers, often grandparents, aunts, or uncles, with the same financial support as foster care families. But more than a year later, the bill remains stalled due to funding disputes between state agencies and lawmakers, leaving thousands of families without crucial resources.

“We Can Be Better”

Norma Hatfield has been a leading voice for kinship caregivers across the Commonwealth. She's a grandmother who took in her own grandchildren 11 years ago. Hatfield knows fir