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CNA Staff, Feb 20, 2025 / 16:15 pm (CNA).
TheCatholicbishopsofKentuckyarebackingproposedlegislationthatwouldrequireacourttoconsideralternativesentencingforconvictedcriminalswhohaveyoungchildren.
Themeasure statesthatKentuckywishesto“promote,strengthen,andencouragefamilylifefortheprotectionandcareofchildren”and“maintainthefamilyunitwithanemphasisontheparent-childrelationship.”
Parentalincarcerationisclassifiedasan“adversechildhoodexperience,”thebillnotes,whichcanleadtopoormentalandphysicalhealthoutcomesandincreaseachild’schancesofcriminalactivityinturn.
Thebillwouldrequirecourtstoconsideraconvictedcriminal’s“statusasaprimarycaretakerofadependentchild”beforeimposingasentence.Acourtwouldberequiredto“consideranalternativesentence”insuchcircumstanceswhileweighingtheparent’scriminalhistory,theseriousnessofthecrime,andotherfactors.
Violentoffenderswouldbeexcludedfromtherule,aswouldcriminalswhosevictimswerechildrenaswellasthosewhoareineli
