KY bills let animal control officers report sex abuse; allow drivers permits to 15-year-olds

Bills moving through the Kentucky legislature could allow 15-year-olds to drive, and add animal control officers to the list of who can report child sexual abuse.

House bill 194 would give animal control officers specific training to spot signs of child abuse and neglect.

In 2021, 10-year-old Kyan Higgins Jr. of Louisville was found dead. The person accused of killing him is his mother, Kaitlyn Higgins. Records show Metro Animal Services had cited Kyan’s mother for animal neglect leading up to the incident.

According to the National Link Coalition, 88% of physical child abuse cases were at homes that animal control had already visited.

Current Kentucky law says that anyone who suspects a child is being abused is required to report it.

Meanwhile, House Bill 15 would allow anyone at least 15 years old to acquire a learner's permit. They would then have to be accompanied by an individual who is at least 21 years old and holds a valid driver’s license.

Lawmakers argue that the extra year of practice would better prepare learners to get their full driver’s license at the age of 16.

Currently in Kentucky, drivers must be 16 years of age to take the written knowledge and vision tests and apply for an "under-21" permit.

Kentucky is one of eight states that requires people to be 16 in order to get a learner's permit. HB 15 would reportedly put Kentucky in line with 23 other states. Six states allow learner's permits at 14.

The bill now goes to the Senate floor.