House Passes Proctor-sponsored HB 392

Frankfort, Kentucky (February 26, 2025) – The Kentucky House of Representatives passed House Bill 392, sponsored by Rep. Marianne Proctor of Boone. HB 392 ensures that patients in state run mental health facilities can get necessary medical care if the facility can’t provide it.

“While the department is obligated by statute to provide certain medical services for individuals within its care, statute is vague about the department’s authorization to pay for such services, making vendors hesitant to commit to financial agreements due to delays in reimbursements,” said Proctor. “Unfortunately, this has reduced patients’ access to providers willing to provide services to patients of the department.” 

House Bill 392 addresses an ongoing problem the Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities (BHDID) faces when seeking outside medical care for individuals within its facilities’ care. This bill ensures that patients who are in state mental health facilities, who need non-elective medical care, can receive it in a community-based setting. HB 392 simply streamlines the payment system and creates efficiency in the Cabinet. This measure would centralize these expenses through the Cabinet’s discretionary funds.  

“House Bill 392 simply streamlines the payment system and cuts through red tape in the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, enforcing efficiency in an area that desperately needs it,” added Proctor. “The state already pays for these services, this measure simply centralizes the expense through the cabinet’s discretionary funds.” 

House Bill 392 will now move to the Senate for consideration. To follow this bill, or other legislative measures filed by Rep. Proctor, please visit legislature.ky.gov.