More Than 100 Kentucky Groups, Including Bridgeport Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Urge Lawmakers to Reject House Bill 5

More than 100 Kentucky groups, including faith and community organizations, have urged lawmakers to reject House Bill 5. The coalition sent a letter to the Kentucky State Senate on February 12, 2024, calling for the rejection of the bill’s harmful policies. The letter highlights concerns that the legislation will exacerbate existing challenges and fail to improve public safety.

The letter argues that increasing incarceration does not enhance community safety, citing decades of research showing that longer sentences and harsher penalties do not deter crime. Instead, the bill is said to weaken families, complicate reentry for formerly incarcerated individuals, and divert resources from crime prevention efforts.

HB 5 is also criticized for worsening Kentucky’s overdose crisis, increasing homelessness, and expanding pretrial detention. These measures are said to deepen hardship for vulnerable populations already struggling with economic and social challenges. The letter emphasizes that the bill’s provisions will disproportionately impact Black and Brown Kentuckians, who are already overrepresented in the state’s criminal legal system.

The coalition suggests that tax dollars spent on implementing HB 5 would be better allocated to proven strategies that prevent crime. These include expanding harm reduction programs, strengthening community mental health services, reforming the Good Samaritan law to protect those who seek help during overdoses, and automating expungement to support successful reentry.

The letter calls for legislators to collaborate with community leaders, experts, and individuals with direct experience of the issues the bill seeks to address. It urges the General Assembly to reject the bill and pursue alternative solutions that benefit all Kentuckians. The coalition represents a broad range of organizations, including faith groups such as Bridgeport Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and advocacy groups focused on justice and equity.

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