FRANKFORT (AP) - The Kentucky House has passed a bill to allow the state's court system to create pilot projects to open proceedings in some child abuse and neglect cases.
Democratic Rep. Susan Westrom of Lexington, the bill's lead sponsor, said cases of sexual abuse and sexual exploitation would remain closed.
The bill cleared the House on an 87-10 vote Monday. It now goes to the Senate.
The measure would allow the state Supreme Court to start a 4-year pilot project to open child abuse court proceedings in three to seven jurisdictions. Also under the bill, extended family members would be allowed to attend juvenile proceedings in custody cases.
The legislation is House Bill 407.
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