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Bill Summary · SR 112

Summary: SR 112 (2026RS) — A Resolution Encouraging the Establishment of the Fatherhood and Family Engagement Task Force (Kentucky)

Purpose and intent

  • The resolution encourages the Legislative Research Commission (LRC) to establish a Fatherhood and Family Engagement Task Force.
  • Objective: study issues related to fatherhood, father engagement, and father absence in Kentucky, and develop recommendations to strengthen families and improve child outcomes.

Key provisions and changes proposed

Scope of study (Section 1)

The task force would examine a broad set of topics, including:
- Impacts of father absence on children, families, and communities (social, economic, educational, public safety).
- Current state of father engagement in Kentucky, including demographics, regional disparities, and affected populations.
- Barriers to active father involvement (legal, financial, institutional, social, cultural).
- Roles of state agencies, courts, schools, and community organizations in supporting or hindering engagement.
- Effectiveness of existing Kentucky programs and policies aimed at responsible fatherhood and family stability.
- Potential policy reforms, educational initiatives, employment programs, legal reforms, and community partnerships to improve engagement.
- Best practices from other states with successful fatherhood initiatives.
- Relationships between father engagement and outcomes in welfare, education, public assistance, workforce participation, mental health, and criminal justice.
- Strategies to improve access to resources, parenting education, employment, and support services for fathers.
- Recommendations for legislative, administrative, and community-based solutions to strengthen father engagement.

Task force membership (Section 2)

Recommended composition includes:
- Senate: 2 members appointed by the President of the Senate (one designated as co-chair), plus 1 minority member.
- House: 2 members appointed by the Speaker (one designated as co-chair), plus 1 minority member.
- Executive/administrative officials: Secretary of Health and Family Services (or designee); Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts (or designee); Commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Education (or designee); Secretary of Economic Development (or designee).
- Four at-large members appointed by the Legislative Research Commission, including:
- A representative from a nonprofit focused on fatherhood or family engagement.
- A representative from a child advocacy organization.
- An expert in mental health or family counseling.
- A father from Kentucky with lived experience relevant to the task force’s mission.

Activities and reporting (Section 3)

  • The task force is encouraged to meet at least monthly during the 2026 Interim.
  • It must submit findings and recommendations to the LRC for referral to the Interim Joint Committee on Families and Children by December 1, 2026.

Who would be affected

  • Legislative and state agencies involved in family services, education, juvenile/criminal justice, and economic development.
  • Families and fathers in Kentucky, especially those affected by barriers to involvement.
  • Nonprofit and advocacy organizations focused on family engagement, child welfare, and mental health.
  • The public, via potential future policy reforms and programs informed by the task force’s work.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • This is a resolution encouraging, not mandating, the creation of the task force.
  • If established, the task force would operate during the 2026 interim, with a target report to the LRC by December 1, 2026.
  • Membership includes cross-chamber legislators, executive agency representation, and diverse at-large experts.

Potential impact

  • Provides a structured, bipartisan approach to assessing barriers to father involvement and identifying policy options.
  • Aims to generate actionable recommendations to improve child welfare, educational outcomes, and economic/self-sufficiency through stronger father engagement.
  • Could inform future legislation or administrative reforms in Kentucky related to family services, courts, education, and workforce development.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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