KY HCR26

Establishes the Infant Mortality Task Force through the Legislative Research Commission to review factors influencing infant mortality and recommend strategies to decrease Kentucky's rate

Task force duties include reviewing research on maternal and child health connections, analyzing mortality data disaggregated by race, geography, and socioeconomic status, and identifying best practices from women's maternity experiences

Composed of 8 legislative members: 4 from the House (3 majority, 1 minority) and 4 from the Senate (3 majority, 1 minority), with co-chairs designated by the Speaker and Senate President

Task force must meet monthly during the 2026 General Assembly Interim and submit findings and recommendations by December 1, 2026

Kentucky's infant mortality rate was 6.6 deaths per 1,000 births in 2023, with significant racial disparities (10.3 for Black infants vs. 5.5 for white infants), and the state's maternal mortality rate of 38.4 per 100,000 is more than double the national rate of 18.6