SB 69 — AN ACT relating to the autism spectrum disorder trust fund and declaring an emergency.

Summary

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 141 to allow a contribution to be made to the autism spectrum disorder trust fund through an income tax refund designation effective for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2026; require the designation to be printed on the face of the individual income tax form; require a description of the trust fund in the individual income tax return instructions; require the Department of Revenue to transfer the funds designated to the autism spectrum disorder trust fund; create a new section of KRS Chapter 211 to create the autism spectrum disorder trust fund; amend KRS194A.624 to require the Advisory Council on Autism Spectrum Disorders to administer the trust fund; require the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to submit an annual report to the Governor and the Legislative Research Commission and to promulgate administrative regulations; EMERGENCY.

Bill Text

Compared against the Kentucky Revised Statutes as published AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill creates the autism spectrum disorder trust fund and modifies the existing Advisory Council on Autism Spectrum Disorders to include fund administration responsibilities.

• KRS 45.229

  Not applicable → Notwithstanding KRS 45.229, fund amounts not expended at the close of a fiscal year shall not lapse but shall be carried forward to the next fiscal year.

  This change allows unspent funds in the autism spectrum disorder trust fund to continue to be available in future fiscal years, contrary to the usual lapsed appropriations.

• KRS 194A.624

  Not applicable → The Advisory Council on Autism Spectrum Disorders shall: (a) Administer and distribute funds from the autism spectrum disorder trust fund created in Section 1 of this Act;

  This addition gives the Advisory Council the authority to manage and allocate funds from the new autism spectrum disorder trust fund.

• KRS 194A.624

  Not applicable → The cabinet shall promulgate administrative regulations in accordance with KRS Chapter 13A to establish a competitive, open grant program to provide funding to nonprofit entities, academic medical centers, and government agencies offering research funding and services for autism spectrum disorder services to individuals in Kentucky impacted by the disorder.

  This establishes a grant program to fund autism-related research and services, supporting the wider initiative for autism spectrum disorder resources.

• KRS 194A.624

  Not applicable → The grant program shall provide funding to research projects and programs in accordance with the priorities established in the plan developed under subsection (8) of this section.

  This provision connects funding directly to the needs identified in a future strategic plan, ensuring funds address specific autism-related goals.

Action History

1. April 03, 2026

   signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 19)

2. March 25, 2026

   delivered to Governor

3. March 25, 2026

   enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House

4. March 25, 2026

   enrolled, signed by President of the Senate

5. March 25, 2026

   passed 38-0

6. March 25, 2026

   Senate concurred in House Committee Substitute (1)

7. March 25, 2026

   posted for passage for concurrence in House Committee Substitute (1)

8. March 25, 2026

   taken from Rules

9. March 25, 2026

   to Rules (S)

10. March 25, 2026

    received in Senate

11. March 24, 2026

    3rd reading, passed 93-0 with Committee Substitute (1)

12. March 19, 2026

    posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Friday, March 20 2026

13. March 17, 2026

    reported favorably, 2nd reading, to Rules with Committee Substitute (1)

14. March 13, 2026

    to Appropriations & Revenue (H)

15. March 13, 2026

    returned to Committee on Committees (H)

16. March 13, 2026

    1st reading

17. March 13, 2026

    taken from Committee on Committees (H)

18. February 18, 2026

    to Committee on Committees (H)

19. February 18, 2026

    received in House

20. February 17, 2026

    3rd reading, passed 37-0

21. February 13, 2026

    passed over and retained in the Orders of the Day

22. February 12, 2026

    posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Friday, February 13 2026

23. February 12, 2026

    2nd reading, to Rules

24. February 11, 2026

    reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar

25. January 27, 2026

    to Appropriations & Revenue (S)

26. January 12, 2026

    to Committee on Committees (S)

27. January 12, 2026

    introduced in Senate

Sponsors

• Brandon J. Storm · Primary
• Robby Mills · Primary
• Matthew Deneen · Primary
• Danny Carroll · Primary
• Julie Raque Adams · Primary

Votes

Subjects