Legislation calling for substantial reorganization in a major state government agency is now before the Kentucky House. The Senate last week unanimously approved the reorg measure for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. Bill Sponsor Senator Stephen Meredith said the task force examination did not include any hidden agenda.
“The intent of this task force was to look at how we could approve the efficiency, effectiveness, and constituent responsiveness of this particular cabinet,” said Meredith.
Meredith spoke about eight different recommendations by the task force. He said one of the more significant changes would be to move child support enforcement from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to the Attorney General’s Office.
“Probably the most pronounced one is what we’re doing with our child support payments. Presently we have one point four billion dollars in the rears in child welfare payments and that’s been long overdue, ignored,” said Meredith.
Meredith noted the Cabinet for Health and Family Services is comprised of some 7000 employees. He added the recommendations came after a five-month study by the task force, work he says will continue this year.
Another is the proposed shifting of disability determination to the Education and Labor Cabinet.
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