The following is reprinted from the April 9 edition of DRI's "The Voice":

KENTUCKY (Contributor: Aaron J. Silletto, Goldberg Simpson, LLC, Louisville, Kentucky)

AVIATION LAW

HB 59, relating to aviation

• Makes it a crime to knowingly direct at an aircraft, any light emitted from a laser device or any other source which is capable of interfering with the vision of a person operating the aircraft; Senate amendment changes composition of certain air boards
• 01/06/2015 – introduced in House; referred to Committee on Transportation
• 02/24/2015 – reported favorably
• 02/27/2015 – passed House 92-0
• 03/02/2015 – received in Senate
• 03/03/2015 – referred to Committee on Transportation
• 03/11/2015 – reported favorably
• 03/23/2015 – passed Senate 36-0, as amended; received in House; House refused to concur in Senate amendment; conference committee appointed in House; received in Senate; Senate refused to recede from its amendment; conference committee appointed in Senate
• 03/24/2015 – conference committee could not agree; free conference committee appointed; free conference committee report adopted in House and Senate; bill passed Senate 37-0; bill passed House 95-2; signed by each presiding officer, delivered to Governor
• 04/02/2015 – signed by Governor

INSURANCE LAW

HB 153, relating to solicitation of a person involved in a motor vehicle accident for healthcare services

• Prohibits solicitation of a person involved in a motor vehicle accident by a healthcare provider or the provider’s intermediary for the purpose of obtaining basic reparation benefits
• 01/08/2015 – introduced in House
• 01/09/2015 – referred to Committee on Labor & Industry
• 02/23/2015 – reported favorably
• 02/26/2015 – passed House 89-4, as amended
• 02/27/2015 – received in Senate
• 03/02/2015 – referred to Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection
• 03/09/2015 – reported favorably
• 03/11/2015 – passed Senate 35-1; signed by each presiding officer, delivered to Governor
• 03/23/2015 – signed by Governor

MEDICAL LIABILITY AND HEALTH CARE LAW

SB 6, relating to medical review panels

• Establishes a medical review panel system for use in civil litigation relating to health care providers, including sections setting out definitions, delineating covered health care facilities and providers, panel membership and formation, functions and deliberations of the panel, and utilization of panel results in civil actions; Senate committee substitute makes technical corrections only
• 02/03/2015 – introduced in Senate; referred to Committee on Health & Welfare
• 02/05/2015 – reported favorably; passed Senate 24-12 with committee substitute
• 02/06/2015 – received in House
• 02/09/2015 – referred to Committee on Judiciary
• 03/04/2015 – discharge petition filed
• 03/10/2015 – discharge petition filed

RETAIL AND HOSPITALITY

HB 145, prohibiting smoking in public places and places of employment

• Prohibit indoor smoking in businesses, places of employment, and other listed public places; exempt private residences, unless used for child care or adult day care; permit smoking in designated nonenclosed areas; require posting of "no smoking" signs at specified locations; permit local governments to adopt stricter regulations by ordinance; House amendments exempt tobacco businesses, cigar bars, and tobacconists, but permit more restrictive local ordinances
• 01/08/2015 – introduced in House
• 01/09/2015 – referred to Committee on Health & Welfare
• 02/05/2015 – reported favorably
• 02/13/2015 – passed House 51-46, as amended
• 02/19/2015 – received in Senate
• 02/20/2015 – referred to Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection
• 03/11/2015 – discharge petition filed