08/24/2026
Last week, Dr. Sheila Schuster, Vice President of the Board of Directors, spoke in support of the implementation of .
Lawmakers, mental health advocates, prosecutors, and other stakeholders gathered to celebrate the passage and implementation of HB 485—a landmark piece of legislation that modernizes Kentucky’s mental health statutes, expands treatment options, and prioritizes public safety.
HB 485 is the result of years of collaboration among judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, mental health professionals, advocates, and the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. The legislation takes a balanced approach by expanding opportunities for treatment while maintaining constitutional protections and keeping public safety at the forefront.
“HB 485 will create a strong collaboration between Kentucky’s healthcare professionals and the courts in addressing the needs of individuals with varying degrees of mental illness to keep them from unnecessary incarceration and to provide them access to the most appropriate levels of treatment,” Schuster said.
The implementation of HB 485 marks an important step forward in Kentucky’s approach to mental health and efforts to reduce the cycle of incarceration, emergency room visits, and inadequate care for people living with mental illness.
Thank you, Dr. Schuster, for your continued advocacy for mental health across our great Commonwealth!
HB 485 | Kentucky | Legislation | mental health | MHAKY | advocacy
