Bill with bipartisan sponsors to be debated in next session
On July 2, 2009, Rep. David Floyd (R-Bardstown, minority whip) (right) prefiled bill HB16 that would abolish the death penalty in Kentucky for people with severe mental illness:
KRS 532.010, 532.025, and 532.030 to the contrary notwithstanding, no offender who has been determined to be a seriously mentally retarded or severely mentally ill offender under the provisions of KRS 532.135, shall be subject to execution.
Rep. Darryl Owens (D-Louisville) cosponsored the bill. Please ask your representative to cosponsor it as well. BR98 is a great opportunity for Kentucky to protect some of its most-vulnerable citizens.
(To find out who your state legislator is, visit Project Vote Smart and enter your nine-digit zip code. Then ask him or her to cosponsor the bill via the legislative message line at 800-372-7181 or TTY message line at 800-896-0305.)
Mental health advocates, religious groups back the bill
Organizations supporting the bill include the
Why abolish the death penalty in Kentucky?