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Frankfort Today
By the People, for the People
Kentucky Auditor Appeals Dismissal of Investigation into Kinship Care Law
Auditor Allison Ball seeks to revive probe into why SB 151 is not being fully executed
Published on Feb. 17, 2026
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Kentucky State Auditor Allison Ball has filed an appeal with the Kentucky Court of Appeals, challenging the dismissal of her investigation into why Senate Bill 151, a law designed to help kinship caregivers, is not being fully implemented. The auditor's office claims the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services refused to provide information needed to determine the reasons behind the law's lack of execution, and argues the governor's office is directly tied to those decisions.
Why it matters
SB 151 was passed in 2024 to expand the timeline for kinship caregivers to make critical custody decisions regarding children placed in their care, from about 10 working days to 120 days. The auditor's office argues this extended window is being denied to caregivers because the law has not been fully implemented as intended, which could have significant impacts on families.
The details
The appeal claims the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services refused to provide information requested as part of the auditor's investigation into SB 151. The filing argues that this information is necessary to determine why the law has not been executed as intended, and says the governor's office is directly tied to those decisions. Attorneys for the auditor contend the trial court should not have dismissed the case and that Gov. Andy Beshear should remain a party because CHFS operates under his administration.
- SB 151 was passed during the 2024 legislative session.
- The auditor's office filed the appeal with the Kentucky Court of Appeals in February 2026.
The players
Allison Ball
Kentucky State Auditor who has filed the appeal challenging the dismissal of her investigation into why SB 151 is not being fully executed.
Andy Beshear
Governor of Kentucky, whose office the auditor's office argues is directly tied to the decisions around the implementation of SB 151.
Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services
State agency that the auditor's office claims refused to provide information requested as part of the investigation into SB 151.
What’s next
The Court of Appeals will review the auditor's appeal and determine whether to reverse the lower court's dismissal and send the case back to Franklin Circuit Court for further proceedings. The filing also suggests mediation could help resolve the dispute more quickly.
The takeaway
This case highlights the ongoing tensions between the state auditor's office and the governor's administration over the implementation of a law intended to provide more support for kinship caregivers. The outcome could have significant implications for families relying on the extended timeline provided by SB 151.
