ACLU and the Kentucky Legislature
A Civil Liberties Guide to the 2014 Session
The American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky is one of the nation's foremost defenders of civil liberties and civil rights.
Founded in 1955 as the state affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union, we are a not-for-profit, nonpartisan
organization with over 2,800 members, 7,700 e-activists, and thousands of supporters across the commonwealth and
over 500,000 nationwide.
The ACLU of Kentucky is currently working with our allies and members to organize and lobby around the following
core issues for the current 2014 session of the Kentucky General Assembly:
Reproductive Freedom: Stopping Anti-Choice Legislation
The right to body autonomy is a fundamental value. We oppose any new anti-choice restrictions that seek to shame,
coerce, or interfere with any woman seeking an abortion. Regardless of how we feel about abortion, we can all agree
that a woman’s body shouldn’t be the political playground of legislators.
SAVE THE DATE! Youth Rights & Reproductive Freedom Rally Day is Tuesday, February 18, 2014
LGBT Rights: Statewide Fairness Protections
Building on the grassroots movement for Fairness in Kentucky, we will again make a case for state civil rights
protections for LGBT Kentuckians, barring discrimination in the workplace, in housing, and in public accommodations.
83% of Kentuckians believe that everyone should able to provide for their families, put a roof over their heads, and
participate in public activities with dignity and without fear of harassment. It’s time to turn that support into reality
by passing Fairness statewide.
SAVE THE DATE! Fairness Lobby & Rally Day is Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Criminal Justice: Abolition of the Death Penalty
More people are learning that the death penalty they support in theory is far from the death penalty system we
have in practice. 60% of those sentenced to die in the Commonwealth have had their sentences overturned
because of problems at the trial court level. This fact alone illustrates our death penalty system is far too broken
to fix. Repeal is the only permanent answer.
Voting Rights: Restoration of Voting Rights for Former Felons
Thousands of Kentuckians have permanently lost their right to vote because of a felony conviction. Kentucky is
one of a handful of states that permanently bars everyone who has ever received any felony conviction from
voting. HB70 will give Kentucky voters a chance to decide whether to restore voting rights to certain former
felons once they have served their sentence.
SAVE THE DATE! Voting Rights March on Frankfort is Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Immigrants’ Rights: Driving Certificates
The fundamental protections of due process and equal protection embodied in our Constitution and Bill of Rights
apply to every “person” and are not limited to citizens. This is why the ACLU is supporting Kentucky driver’s
certificate legislation to promote safer roads and more secure families.
Surveillance & Privacy Protections
The ACLU has been at the forefront of the struggle to rein in the surveillance superstructure, which strikes at the
core of our rights to privacy, free speech, and association. The Kentucky legislature is currently considering a bill
limiting law enforcement’s use of drones, and we are supporting this concept.
Get Involved and TAKE ACTION!
Sign Up to receive our action alerts at www.aclu-ky.org and click on the “Action Alert” icon or scan this QR code
with your smartphone
Reach Out to your legislators about the issues you care about on the legislative message line 1-800-372-7181.
Stay Informed by following legislative updates on our website www.aclu-ky.org, following us on Twitter
@ACLUofKY, and liking us on Facebook www.Facebook.com/ACLUofKY.
ACLU of Kentucky
315 Guthrie Street
Suite 300
Louisville, KY 40202
Legal Intake: 502.581.1181
Fax: 502.589.9687
info@aclu-ky.org