We need You!
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Our lobbyists met with the Health and Welfare Committee Chair on Friday morning (2/5). While she remains very supportive of our bill, it was not 100% certain that our bill WILL be on the agenda for 2/10. We found out Tuesday that SB85 will NOT be heard on the 10th. We know many people have made special arrangements with work, childcare, and travel to attend on 2/10. We are now planning — tentatively — for a hearing on 2/17, but we will IMMEDIATELY let everyone know if this changes. We apologize for this uncertainty, but unfortunately, we have no control over this decision. Please watch for more updates.
WHAT: Our bill, SB 85, has been referred to the Senate Health and Welfare Committee.
WHO: Every citizen is invited to attend– moms, dads, aunts, uncles, grandparents, those without children, everyone who supports a family’s choice to having a qualified birth attendant of their choice. IT WILL BE IMPORTANT THAT WE PACK THE ROOM WITH SUPPORTERS! Bring anyone and everyone, including children and babies. We will have stickers for everyone to wear.
WHERE: – Capitol Annex Building (directly behind the Capitol building), Room 131.
See Driving and Parking Instructions
WHEN: Wednesday, February 17??. The meetings being at 10am EST, but arrive early to ensure adequate time for parking, to get stickers in support of the bill, and to secure a seat.
WHAT ELSE YOU CAN DO: As we prepare for SB85’s hearing, it is important that we continue to reach out to all member of the Health and Welfare Committee to ask for their continued support. Below is a list of all members and their status with regard to SB85.
- Sen. Julie Raque Adams [Chair] – Co-sponsor. Thank her and ask for continued support. Contact her on Twitter @jrajra.
- Sen. Ralph Alvarado [Vice Chair] – has met with our lobbyists, ask for his support. Contact him on Twitter @Alvarado4Senate or Facebook.
- Sen. Tom Buford – Primary Sponsor, thank him and ask for continued support
- Sen. Julian M. Carroll – Senate Leadership – Co-sponsor. Thank him and ask for continued support
- Sen. Danny Carroll – Unknown stance. We have a meeting scheduled on 2/9, only one day before the hearing. Contact and ask for his support. Contact him on Twitter @dannycarrollky or Facebook.
- Sen. David P. Givens – Senate leadership – has expressed support. Thank him and ask for continued support. Contact him on Twitter @kydavidgivens
- Sen. Denise Harper Angel – Co-sponsor. Thank her and ask for continued support. Contact her on Twitter @KYHarperAngel or Facebook.
- Sen. Jimmy Higdon – Senate leadership – has expressed support. Thank him and ask for continued support. Contact him on Twitter @SenatorJimmy or Facebook.
- Sen. Alice Forgy Kerr – Has expressed support. Contact and ask for her support. Contact her on Twitter @aliceforgykerr
- Sen. Reginald Thomas – Co-sponsor. Thank him and ask for continued support. Contact him on Twitter @ReggieThomasKY or Facebook.
- Sen. Max Wise – Co-Sponsor. We have a meeting scheduled on 2/9, only one day before the hearing. Contact and ask for his support. Contact him on Twitter @maxwellwise or on Facebook.
If your senator IS a member of the committee, please schedule a meeting, call, or write to your senator and ask for support on SB85. If your senator is a co-sponsor, please thank them and emphasize the importance of their continued support. For all others, please ask them to support SB85. We have resources for visiting or writing to your senator here.
After contacting your senator, OR if your senator is NOT a member of the committee, you can still do the following: Call the Legislative Message Line and leave a message for all members of the committee.
1. Call 1-800-372-7181
2. Say that you would like to leave a message for ALL members of the SENATE Health and Welfare Committee.
3. If this is your first time to call, the operator will ask for your address.
4. Your message is: I ask the senators to support SB85.
Don’t know your Senator? Learn all about that here!