The following is reprinted from the April 9 edition of DRI's "The Voice":

KENTUCKY (Contributor: Aaron J. Silletto, Goldberg Simpson, LLC, Louisville, Kentucky)

AVIATION LAW

HB 59, relating to aviation

• Makes it a crime to knowingly direct at an aircraft, any light emitted from a laser device or any other source which is capable of interfering with the vision of a person operating the aircraft; Senate amendment changes composition of certain air boards
• 01/06/2015 – introduced in House; referred to Committee on Transportation
• 02/24/2015 – reported favorably
• 02/27/2015 – passed House 92-0
• 03/02/2015 – received in Senate
• 03/03/2015 – referred to Committee on Transportation
• 03/11/2015 – reported favorably
• 03/23/2015 – passed Senate 36-0, as amended; received in House; House refused to concur in Senate amendment; conference committee appointed in House; received in Senate; Senate refused to recede from its amendment; conference committee appointed in Senate
• 03/24/2015 – conference committee could not agree; free conference committee appointed; free conference committee report adopted in House and Senate; bill passed Senate 37-0; bill passed House 95-2; signed by each presiding officer, delivered to Governor
• 04/02/2015 – signed by Governor

INSURANCE LAW

HB 153, relating to solicitation of a person involved in a motor vehicle accident for healthcare services

• Prohibits solicitation of a person involved in a motor vehicle accident by a healthcare provider or the provider’s intermediary for the purpose of obtaining basic reparation benefits
• 01/08/2015 – introduced in House
• 01/09/2015 – referred to Committee on Labor & Industry
• 02/23/2015 – reported favorably
• 02/26/2015 – passed House 89-4, as amended
• 02/27/2015 – received in Senate
• 03/02/2015 – referred to Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection
• 03/09/2015 – reported favorably
• 03/11/2015 – passed Senate 35-1; signed by each presiding officer, delivered to Governor
• 03/23/2015 – signed by Governor

MEDICAL LIABILITY AND HEALTH CARE LAW

SB 6, relating to medical review panels

• Establishes a medical review panel system for use in civil litigation relating to health care providers, including sections setting out definitions, delineating covered health care facilities and providers, panel membership and formation, functions and deliberations of the panel, and utilization of panel results in civil actions; Senate committee substitute makes technical corrections only
• 02/03/2015 – introduced in Senate; referred to Committee on Health & Welfare
• 02/05/2015 – reported favorably; passed Senate 24-12 with committee substitute
• 02/06/2015 – received in House
• 02/09/2015 – referred to Committee on Judiciary
• 03/04/2015 – discharge petition filed
• 03/10/2015 – discharge petition filed

RETAIL AND HOSPITALITY

HB 145, prohibiting smoking in public places and places of employment

• Prohibit indoor smoking in businesses, places of employment, and other listed public places; exempt private residences, unless used for child care or adult day care; permit smoking in designated nonenclosed areas; require posting of "no smoking" signs at specified locations; permit local governments to adopt stricter regulations by ordinance; House amendments exempt tobacco businesses, cigar bars, and tobacconists, but permit more restrictive local ordinances
• 01/08/2015 – introduced in House
• 01/09/2015 – referred to Committee on Health & Welfare
• 02/05/2015 – reported favorably
• 02/13/2015 – passed House 51-46, as amended
• 02/19/2015 – received in Senate
• 02/20/2015 – referred to Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection
• 03/11/2015 – discharge petition filed

KDC welcomes its newest members:

David Joseph Kellerman of Middleton Reutlinger, Louisville, is a graduate of the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law.  Mr. Kellerman practices in the areas of Auto, General Liability, Municipal, Premises and Professional Liability.  He is a member of DRI.

Edward H. Bartenstein of Phillips, Parker, Orberson & Arnett, PLC, Louisville, is a graduate of the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law.  Mr. Bartenstein practices in the areas of Auto, General Liability, Insurance, Product Liabilit, Tort & Truck and he is a member of DRI.

Estill D. Banks II of Banks Law Office, PLLC, Lexingtion, is a graduate of the Thomas M. Cooley Law School.  Mr. Banks practices in the area of Commercial, Government, Insurance, and Trucking, and he is a member of DRI.

KDC welcomes its two newest members:

Barbara A. Kriz of Kriz, Jenkins, Prewitt & Jones PSC, Lexington graduated from the University of Kentucky School of Law.  Ms. Kriz practices in the areas of Civil Rights, Commercial, Employment, General Liability, Government, Insurance, Premises, Product Liability and Tort.  She is a member of DRI.

Jonathan M. Ohlsen of Prestige Healthcare, Louisville, graduated from law school at Seattle University.  Mr. Ohlsen practices in the areas of Employment, Nursing Homes and M & A.  He is a member of DRI.

KDC welcomes its newest members:

Stockard R. "Rob" Hickey, III of Gwin, Steinmetz & Baird, PLLC, Louisville is a graduate of the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law.  His practice areas include Appellate, Auto, Business Litigation, General Liability, Premises Liability, Product Liability, Tort & Trucking.  He is a member of DRI.

Demetrius O'Dell Holloway of Stites & Harbison, PLLC, Louisville is a graduate of the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law.  His practice areas include Business Litigation, Employment and Professional Liability.  He is a member of DRI.

Nicholas Birkenhauer of Dressman Benzinger & LaVelle psc, Crestview Hills, Chair of the CLE Committee, has organized a teleconference/webinar ethics CLE program for June 30, 2015.  Due to popular demand, Doug Richmond of Aon, Chicago, along with his colleague, Matthew K. Corbin, will be presenting this program.  KDC has applied for a 1.0 hour CLE ethics credit in Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio.  You may sign up online (credit card required) or complete this form  Ex Parte Reg Form 063015.pdf and mail it along with your check to the KDC office.  Cost:  $15 KDC members, $70 non-KDC members.

The KBA Young Lawyers Division seeks nominees for four Awards given annually for exceptional contributions to the legal profession and the public.  Nominations are due Friday, April 10, 2015.  

 The Outstanding Young Lawyer Award honors a Kentucky attorney who has excelled in the practice of law, and community service.  Any Kentucky young lawyer is eligible for nomination.  “Young lawyer” is defined as one who, as of July 1, 2014, has been engaged in the practice of law for ten or fewer years or who is forty years old or younger.  The 2014 Outstanding Young Lawyer Award recipient was Rebekkah Bravo Rechter of Louisville, Kentucky.  For more information and to nominate a deserving individual, please click here.

 The Nathaniel R. Harper Award honors a person or organization that has demonstrated a commitment to changing the face of the Bar by encouraging the inclusion of women, minorities, persons with disabilities, LGBT individuals, as well as promoting full and equal participation in the legal profession by all unrepresented or underrepresented groups.  The 2014 Nathaniel R. Harper Award recipient was A. Holland Houston of Louisville, Kentucky.  For more information and to nominate a deserving individual or organization, please click here.

The Young Lawyer Service to Community Award honors a member of the Young Lawyers Division for exemplary service to his or her community through volunteerism, service to non-profit organizations, and/or pro bono legal representation.  The 2014 Young Lawyer Service to Community Award recipient was Cara Stewart of Covington, Kentucky.  For more information and to nominate a deserving individual, please click here.

The Service to Young Lawyers Award honors a lawyer, non-lawyer, or organization for exception contributions to the professional and personal advancement and mentorship of young lawyers.  The 2014 Service to Young Lawyers Award recipient was Professor Robert Lawson of Lexington, Kentucky.  For more information and to nominate a deserving individual or organization, please click here.

If you have questions, please contact: 

Rebecca R. Schafer, Esq. -  502-625-7299 (direct)
Reminger Co., L.P.A.

KDC welcomes its newest members:

Shawn Rosso Alcott of Kerrick Bachert PSC, Bowling Green is a graduate of the University of Kentucky Law School.  Ms. Alcott practices in the areas of Commercial, Medical Malpractice and Municipal law and is sponsored by KDC member, Thomas Kerrick. 

Eric Rice of Smith, Rolfes & Skavdahl, Louisville is a graduate of the Barry University.  Mr. Rice practices in the areas of Insurance Coverage and is sponsored by KDC member, Michael Reilly.

KDC welcomes its newest members:

Matthew J. Middendorf of Ward, Hocker & Thornton, PLLC, Lexington graduated from law school in 2012 from the University of Kentucky.  Mr. Middendorf practices in the areas of Auto, Construction, General Liability, Insurance, Premises, Product Liability and Trucking.

Melissa Thompson Richardson of Walters Meadows Richardson, PLLC, Lexington graduated from law school in 2007 from the University of Kentucky.  Ms. Richardson practices in the areas of Auto, Commercial, Insurance, Premises and Trucking.  She is sponsored by KDC member, Kellie M. Collins and is a member of DRI.

John W. Walters of Walters Meadows Richardson, PLLC, Lexington graduated from law school in 1995 from the University of Kentucky.  Mr. Walters practices in the areas of Auto, Commercial, Construction, Insurance, Tort and Trucking.  He is sponsored by KDC member, Kellie M. Collins and is a member of DRI.

KDC welcomes its newest member, Ryan Stratton of Baird & Baird, PSC, Pikeville.   Mr. Stratton is a 2013 graduate of the Appalachian School of Law and practices in the areas of insurance, employment, real estate and business litigation.

KDC greatly appreciates the continual support of its sponsors and advertisers.   All of the Sponsors and Advertisers are listed under "Sponsors" and there is a direct link to their website.  We ask that you consider using these companies as your legal needs arise!