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FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — The Kentucky House combined proposed income tax checkoff programs benefiting rape crisis centers and pediatric cancer research into one bill Tuesday in a late-session bid to add both to state law.
The measure would allow taxpayers to voluntarily donate portions of their state income-tax refunds to boost funding for rape-crisis services and research into cancers afflicting some of Kentucky's youngest patients.
The combined measure passed the Democratic-led House on a 97-0 vote, sending the bill back to the Republican-run Senate for consideration of the House changes.
Rep. Chris Harris, D-Forest Hills, successfully offered the amendment attaching the proposed checkoff program for rape crisis centers to the measure. Harris said afterward that the state's rape crisis centers are underfunded and in need of another revenue source to support their counseling and advocacy services.
"In difficult financial times like we're in now, to be able to look to a source of revenue that does not come out of the state's General Fund is a real opportunity to look to help those centers out," he said.
Officials estimate the checkoff would generate about $50,000 each year for the centers, Harris said.
Under his proposal, contributions to support rape crisis centers would be placed in a trust fund, and the money would be distributed by the state Cabinet for Health and Family Services.
The other proposed tax checkoff program would support pediatric cancer research.
About 215 new cases of childhood cancer are diagnosed each year in Kentucky, state health officials said. In the state's Appalachian region, childhood cancer rates are well above the statewide and national rates.
The Senate bill aimed at pediatric cancer research is sponsored by Sen. Max Wise, whose family has been afflicted with childhood cancer. Wise's son Carter was an infant when diagnosed with cancer, resulting in about a dozen rounds of chemotherapy and multiple surgeries. His son, now 7, is in remission.
Wise, R-Campbellsville, has said the checkoff program could generate an estimated $50,000 to $150,000 in donations per year for pediatric cancer research.
It wouldn't be the first time an income tax refund checkoff has been used in Kentucky to combat disease.
Through the end of 2014, the Breast Cancer Trust Fund has received more than $445,000 since 2006 through its tax checkoff program, state officials said.
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The legislation is Senate Bill 82.
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