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Bill Summary · SB 203

Bill Overview

SB 203, introduced in the Kentucky Senate on February 17, 2026, in the 2026 Regular Session, concerns the regulation, support, and integration of community health workers (CHWs) within Kentucky’s health system. The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Committees (S) for consideration.

Purpose and Intent

  • Establishes a framework to formalize the role of community health workers in Kentucky.
  • Aims to improve access to care, health outcomes, and coordination between patients and healthcare providers, particularly for underserved or at-risk populations.
  • Seeks to create standards, training, certification pathways, and governance mechanisms for CHWs to ensure consistency and quality of services.

Key Provisions and Changes

  • Definitions: Sets forth a formal definition of “community health worker” and delineates permissible activities and duties within the scope of CHW practice.
  • Certification and Training:
    • Outlines eligibility requirements for CHW certification.
    • Specifies training curricula, minimum hours, and continuing education requirements.
    • May authorize a certification board or designated state agency to administer certification, maintain a registry, and issue credentials.
  • Scope of Practice:
    • Describes activities CHWs may perform (e.g., health education, care coordination, navigation assistance, outreach, and linkage to social services) and clarifies boundaries to avoid duplication with other licensed professionals.
    • Establishes supervision or collaborative practice requirements, if applicable, with health professionals.
  • Employment and Roles:
    • Creates pathways for CHWs to be integrated into health systems, community organizations, public health departments, and federally qualified health centers.
    • Addresses employer recognition of CHW credentials for reimbursement or inclusion in care teams.
  • Funding and Reimbursement:
    • May authorize state or federal funds, grants, or incentives to establish CHW programs.
    • Possible provisions for reimbursement mechanisms with Medicaid/Medicare or private payers for CHW services, subject to existing regulations.
  • Standards, Ethics, and Accountability:
    • Requires adherence to ethical guidelines, confidentiality, and privacy protections.
    • Establishes reporting, evaluation, and quality assurance processes to assess program effectiveness and impact.
  • Data and Registry:
    • Creates or maintains a CHW registry or directory to track certified CHWs and related activities.
    • Establishes data collection for outcomes and program evaluation, while complying with privacy laws.

Who Would Be Affected

  • Community health workers: eligibility, training, certification, and ongoing professional requirements.
  • Employers and health systems employing CHWs (hospitals, clinics, public health departments, community-based organizations): need to align job descriptions, supervision, and reimbursement considerations.
  • Patients and communities served by CHWs: potential improvements in access to care, care coordination, and navigation of social determinants of health.
  • Payers (Medicaid, private insurers): potential changes in reimbursement for CHW-provided services, depending on implementation and funding provisions.
  • State agencies and regulatory bodies: responsibility for administering certification, registry, standards, and oversight.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduction Date: February 17, 2026.
  • Committee Action: Referred to Committee on Committees for review and advancement.
  • Next steps likely include hearings, potential amendments, and votes in the Senate, and, if approved, further action in the House of Representatives (not specified in the provided history).

Potential Impacts and Considerations

  • Workforce Development: Creates a standardized career path for CHWs, potentially increasing recruitment, retention, and professional recognition.
  • Access and Health Outcomes: By integrating CHWs into care teams, the bill may improve outreach, chronic disease management, preventive care, and linkage to social services.
  • Financial Implications: Initial funding and reimbursement strategies will influence implementation pace and scale; sustainability will depend on alignment with Medicaid/insurer policies.
  • Implementation Challenges: Coordinating across health systems, training providers, and ensuring consistent quality across community settings may require robust governance and ongoing evaluation.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to focus on specific sections (e.g., fiscal impact, regulatory details, or implementation timeline) once more text from the bill becomes available.

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

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