Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes the procedure for the selection of an executive cabinet position for Health and Family Services.

Highlights:

• Establishes the Kentucky Board of Health and Family Services to provide oversight and accountability for the functions, duties, and responsibilities of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (Sec. 4).

• Requires the duties and responsibilities of the Kentucky Board of Health and Family Services to include, but not be limited to, the following (Sec. 5):
• An ongoing review of the cabinet's policies, programs, and budget; 
• A summary of all cabinet programs, including the number of individuals;
• A summary of new programs that have been established;
• Selection of the secretary of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services; and 
• Recommendations for discontinuing or reorganizing existing programs.

• Specifies that the Kentucky Board of Health and Family Services will have 9 members appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate of the General Assembly from each of the following sources (Sec. 4):
• The Kentucky Hospital Association; 
• The Kentucky Medical Association; 
• The Kentucky Psychological Association; 
• The Kentucky Chamber of Commerce; 
• The Kentucky Association of Health Insurers; 
• The College of Medicine, the University of Kentucky; 
• The College of Social Work, the University of Kentucky; 
• The Kent School of Social Work, the University of Louisville; and 
• The School of Medicine, the University of Louisville.  

• Requires the Kentucky Board of Health and Human Services to fill the role of secretary for the Cabinet of Health and Family Services by conducting a nationwide search, choosing 3 names from those candidates and submitting them to the governor who will then fill the vacancy from that list (Sec. 6).

• Establishes the undersecretaries of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services as part of the Governor’s Executive Cabinet (Sec. 1).

• Requires the secretary of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to employ the undersecretaries of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (Sec. 6).

Full Bill Text