Kentucky 2026 Regular Session Status: Passed Senate Bipartisan · 3 R · 2 D cosponsors

SB 56 — AN ACT relating to utilization controls for nonopioid analgesics in the Medicaid program.

Last action — passed over and retained for concurrence in House Floor Amendment (1) and Floor Amendment (2-title)

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has passed the Senate. Introduced January 09, 2026. It now moves to the second chamber.

Next likely step: consideration and a floor vote in the House.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 72% · high confidence

  • Passed Senate

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 5 sponsors

    5 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (3 R · 2 D) — cross-party backing.

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 3 recorded votes so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Summary

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 205 to prohibit the Department for Medicaid Services, any Medicaid managed care organization contracted by the department, and the Medicaid state pharmacy benefit manager from denying coverage for a nonopioid analgesic in favor of opioid analgesic or establishing more restrictive or more extensive utilization controls for nonopioid analgesics than the least restrictive or extensive utilization controls for any opioid or narcotic analgesic; require the Cabinet for Health and Family Services or the Department for Medicaid to seek federal approval if it is determined that such approval is necessary; provide authorization from the General Assembly to make changes to the Medicaid program as required under KRS 205.5372(1).

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

4 added · 4 removed

4 line(s) added, 4 removed.

→
Previous
Latest
UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1027 AN ACT relating to utilization controls for nonopioid analgesics in the Medicaid program.
UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 56/GA AN ACT relating to utilization controls for nonopioid analgesics in the Medicaid program.
Sections 1 and 2 of this Act shall constitute the specific authorization Page 1 of 2 BR102700.100 - 1027 - XXXX 2/27/2026 10:44 AM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1027 required under KRS 205.5372(1).
Sections 1 and 2 of this Act shall constitute the specific authorization Page 1 of 2 SB005610.100 - 1027 - XXXX 2/27/2026 10:44 AM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 56/GA required under KRS 205.5372(1).
Page 2 of 2 BR102700.100 - 1027 - XXXX 2/27/2026 10:44 AM Jacketed
Page 2 of 2 SB005610.100 - 1027 - XXXX 2/27/2026 10:44 AM GA
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Action History

  1. passed over and retained for concurrence in House Floor Amendment (1) and Floor Amendment (2-title)

  2. posted for passage for concurrence in House Floor Amendments (1) and (2-title)

  3. to Rules (S)

  4. received in Senate

  5. 3rd reading, passed 82-9 with Floor Amendment (1) and Floor Amendment (2-title)

  6. floor amendments (3) and (4-title) filed

  7. floor amendments (1) and (2-title) filed

  8. posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Wednesday, March 25 2026

  9. 2nd reading, to Rules

  10. reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar

  11. to Health Services (H)

  12. to Committee on Committees (H)

  13. received in House

  14. 3rd reading, passed 35-0

  15. passed over and retained in the Orders of the Day

  16. passed over and retained in the Orders of the Day

  17. posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Wednesday, February 25 2026

  18. 2nd reading, to Rules

  19. reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar

  20. to Health Services (S)

  21. to Committee on Committees (S)

  22. introduced in Senate

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

5 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 133 not signed on · 9 voted No

Sponsors (5)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (133)

133 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 133 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Suspend the Rules

Passed 79 Yea · 0 Nay · 21 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 630016
Democrat 15005
Unaffiliated 1001
Total 790022
% of votes cast 78%0%0%22%
How each member voted (101)
Member Party Vote
Lewis C — Yea
Commonwealth of Kentucky — Not Voting
Adam Moore Democrat Yea
Adrielle Camuel Democrat Yea
Al Gentry Democrat Yea
Anne Gay Donworth Democrat Yea
Ashley Tackett Laferty Democrat Not Voting
Beverly Chester-Burton Democrat Yea
Chad Aull Democrat Not Voting
Daniel Grossberg Democrat Yea
Erika Hancock Democrat Yea
George Brown Jr. Democrat Not Voting
Joshua Watkins Democrat Yea
Lindsey Burke Democrat Yea
Lisa Willner Democrat Yea
Mary Lou Marzian Democrat Yea
Matthew Lehman Democrat Yea
Nima Kulkarni Democrat Yea
Pamela Stevenson Democrat Not Voting
Rachel Roarx Democrat Yea
Sarah Stalker Democrat Yea
Tina Bojanowski Democrat Not Voting
Aaron Thompson Republican Yea
Adam Bowling Republican Yea
Amy Neighbors Republican Yea
Bill Wesley Republican Yea
Bobby McCool Republican Yea
Candy Massaroni Republican Not Voting
Chris Freeland Republican Yea
Chris Fugate Republican Yea
DJ Johnson Republican Not Voting
Daniel Elliott Republican Yea
Daniel Fister Republican Yea
David Hale Republican Yea
David Meade Republican Not Voting
David W. Osborne Republican Yea
Deanna Gordon Republican Yea
Derek Lewis Republican Yea
Emily Callaway Republican Yea
Felicia Rabourn Republican Not Voting
J.T. Payne Republican Yea
James Tipton Republican Yea
Jared Bauman Republican Yea
Jason Nemes Republican Yea
Jason Petrie Republican Not Voting
Jennifer Decker Republican Not Voting
Jim Gooch Jr. Republican Yea
John Blanton Republican Not Voting
John Hodgson Republican Yea
Josh Branscum Republican Yea
Josh Bray Republican Yea
Josh Calloway Republican Not Voting
Ken Fleming Republican Yea
Ken Upchurch Republican Yea
Kevin Jackson Republican Yea
Kim Banta Republican Yea
Kim Holloway Republican Not Voting
Kim King Republican Yea
Kimberly Poore Moser Republican Yea
Marianne Proctor Republican Yea
Mark Hart Republican Yea
Mary Beth Imes Republican Yea
Matt Lockett Republican Yea
Matthew Koch Republican Yea
Michael Meredith Republican Yea
Michael Sarge Pollock Republican Yea
Mike Clines Republican Yea
Mitch Whitaker Republican Yea
Myron Dossett Republican Yea
Nancy Tate Republican Not Voting
Nick Wilson Republican Yea
Patrick Flannery Republican Yea
Peyton Griffee Republican Yea
Randy Bridges Republican Yea
Rebecca Raymer Republican Yea
Richard White Republican Yea
Robert Duvall Republican Yea
Ryan Bivens Republican Yea
Ryan Dotson Republican Not Voting
Samara Heavrin Republican Yea
Savannah Maddox Republican Not Voting
Scott Lewis Republican Yea
Scott Sharp Republican Yea
Shane Baker Republican Yea
Shawn McPherson Republican Yea
Stephanie Dietz Republican Yea
Steve Bratcher Republican Not Voting
Steve Riley Republican Not Voting
Steven Doan Republican Not Voting
Steven Rudy Republican Yea
Susan Witten Republican Yea
Suzanne Miles Republican Yea
T.J. Roberts Republican Not Voting
Thomas Huff Republican Yea
Timmy Truett Republican Yea
Tom Smith Republican Yea
Tony Hampton Republican Yea
Vanessa Grossl Republican Yea
Wade Williams Republican Yea
Walker Thomas Republican Yea
William Lawrence Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Pass

Passed 82 Yea · 9 Nay · 9 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 18002
Republican 63907
Unaffiliated 1000
Total 82909
% of votes cast 82%9%0%9%
How each member voted (100)
Member Party Vote
Lewis C — Yea
Adam Moore Democrat Yea
Adrielle Camuel Democrat Yea
Al Gentry Democrat Yea
Anne Gay Donworth Democrat Yea
Ashley Tackett Laferty Democrat Yea
Beverly Chester-Burton Democrat Yea
Chad Aull Democrat Yea
Daniel Grossberg Democrat Yea
Erika Hancock Democrat Yea
George Brown Jr. Democrat Not Voting
Joshua Watkins Democrat Yea
Lindsey Burke Democrat Yea
Lisa Willner Democrat Yea
Mary Lou Marzian Democrat Yea
Matthew Lehman Democrat Yea
Nima Kulkarni Democrat Yea
Pamela Stevenson Democrat Yea
Rachel Roarx Democrat Yea
Sarah Stalker Democrat Yea
Tina Bojanowski Democrat Not Voting
Aaron Thompson Republican Yea
Adam Bowling Republican Nay
Amy Neighbors Republican Yea
Bill Wesley Republican Yea
Bobby McCool Republican Yea
Candy Massaroni Republican Nay
Chris Freeland Republican Yea
Chris Fugate Republican Yea
DJ Johnson Republican Yea
Daniel Elliott Republican Yea
Daniel Fister Republican Yea
David Hale Republican Yea
David Meade Republican Yea
David W. Osborne Republican Yea
Deanna Gordon Republican Nay
Derek Lewis Republican Nay
Emily Callaway Republican Yea
Felicia Rabourn Republican Not Voting
J.T. Payne Republican Yea
James Tipton Republican Yea
Jared Bauman Republican Yea
Jason Nemes Republican Yea
Jason Petrie Republican Nay
Jennifer Decker Republican Not Voting
Jim Gooch Jr. Republican Yea
John Blanton Republican Yea
John Hodgson Republican Yea
Josh Branscum Republican Yea
Josh Bray Republican Nay
Josh Calloway Republican Not Voting
Ken Fleming Republican Yea
Ken Upchurch Republican Yea
Kevin Jackson Republican Yea
Kim Banta Republican Yea
Kim Holloway Republican Not Voting
Kim King Republican Yea
Kimberly Poore Moser Republican Yea
Marianne Proctor Republican Nay
Mark Hart Republican Yea
Mary Beth Imes Republican Yea
Matt Lockett Republican Yea
Matthew Koch Republican Yea
Michael Meredith Republican Yea
Michael Sarge Pollock Republican Yea
Mike Clines Republican Yea
Mitch Whitaker Republican Yea
Myron Dossett Republican Yea
Nancy Tate Republican Yea
Nick Wilson Republican Yea
Patrick Flannery Republican Yea
Peyton Griffee Republican Yea
Randy Bridges Republican Yea
Rebecca Raymer Republican Yea
Richard White Republican Yea
Robert Duvall Republican Yea
Ryan Bivens Republican Yea
Ryan Dotson Republican Yea
Samara Heavrin Republican Yea
Savannah Maddox Republican Not Voting
Scott Lewis Republican Yea
Scott Sharp Republican Yea
Shane Baker Republican Nay
Shawn McPherson Republican Yea
Stephanie Dietz Republican Yea
Steve Bratcher Republican Yea
Steve Riley Republican Nay
Steven Doan Republican Not Voting
Steven Rudy Republican Yea
Susan Witten Republican Yea
Suzanne Miles Republican Yea
T.J. Roberts Republican Not Voting
Thomas Huff Republican Yea
Timmy Truett Republican Yea
Tom Smith Republican Yea
Tony Hampton Republican Yea
Vanessa Grossl Republican Yea
Wade Williams Republican Yea
Walker Thomas Republican Yea
William Lawrence Republican Yea

Official roll call →

PASS SB 56

Passed 35 Yea · 0 Nay · 3 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 5000
Republican 30003
Total 35003
% of votes cast 92%0%0%8%
How each member voted (38)
Member Party Vote
Cassie Chambers Armstrong Democrat Yea
Gary Clemons Democrat Yea
Gerald A. Neal Democrat Yea
Karen Berg Democrat Yea
Keturah J. Herron Democrat Yea
Aaron Reed Republican Yea
Amanda Mays Bledsoe Republican Yea
Brandon J. Storm Republican Yea
Christian McDaniel Republican Not Voting
Craig Richardson Republican Yea
Danny Carroll Republican Yea
David P. Givens Republican Yea
Donald Douglas Republican Yea
Gary Boswell Republican Not Voting
Greg Elkins Republican Yea
Jared Carpenter Republican Yea
Jason Howell Republican Yea
Jason Nemes Republican Yea
Jimmy Higdon Republican Yea
Julie Raque Adams Republican Yea
Lindsey Tichenor Republican Yea
Matt Nunn Republican Yea
Matthew Deneen Republican Yea
Max Wise Republican Yea
Michael Meredith Republican Yea
Nick Wilson Republican Yea
Phillip Wheeler Republican Yea
Rick Girdler Republican Yea
Robby Mills Republican Yea
Robert Stivers Republican Yea
Robin L. Webb Republican Yea
Scott Madon Republican Yea
Shelley Funke Frommeyer Republican Yea
Stephen West Republican Not Voting
Steve Rawlings Republican Yea
Tom Smith Republican Yea
Wade Williams Republican Yea
Walker Thomas Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

healthcare health-insurance
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

What does SB 56 do?
Create a new section of KRS Chapter 205 to prohibit the Department for Medicaid Services, any Medicaid managed care organization contracted by the department, and the Medicaid state pharmacy benefit manager from denying coverage for a nonopioid analgesic in favor of opioid analgesic or establishing more restrictive or more extensive utilization controls for nonopioid analgesics than the least restrictive or extensive utilization controls for any opioid or narcotic analgesic; require the Cabinet for Health and Family Services or the Department for Medicaid to seek federal approval if it is determined that such approval is necessary; provide authorization from the General Assembly to make changes to the Medicaid program as required under KRS 205.5372(1).
Who sponsors SB 56?
SB 56 is sponsored by Reginald L. Thomas (Democrat), Amanda Mays Bledsoe (Republican), Scott Madon (Republican), Greg Elkins (Republican), and Gerald A. Neal (Democrat).
What is the current status of SB 56?
This bill has passed the Senate. Introduced January 09, 2026. It now moves to the second chamber.
Where can I track SB 56?
Track SB 56 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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