Gov. Beshear: Judge Dismisses Auditor’s Unfounded Challenge Against Administration’s Implementation of Senate Bill 151

Court ruled in favor of state, noting that cabinet has complied with Auditor's requests; Governor plans to include funding for Senate Bill 151 implementation in next budget

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 15, 2025) - Today, Gov. Andy Beshear announced that Franklin Circuit Court Judge Thomas Wingate has dismissed State Auditor Allison Ball's lawsuit against the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) regarding her office's investigation into the implementation of Senate Bill 151 relating to kinship and foster care. The judge noted that CHFS has willingly complied with all requests made by the auditor's office and that the auditor had no standing to bring her case.

"My administration has always prioritized the safety and wellbeing of Kentucky's children, and we're committed to working with any office to see that goal through," said Gov. Beshear. "The dismissal of this unfounded lawsuit proves that Team Kentucky isn't letting politics get in the way of doing what's right. Implementing Senate Bill 151 requires more funding, yet the General Assembly failed to do so in both the 2024 and 2025 legislative sessions. It's disappointing the auditor would file a taxpayer-funded lawsuit without attempting to speak with the administration about the issues of implementing Senate Bill 151 first."

The governor and his administration support the policy changes in Senate Bill 151, which would support more stability for children in foster care through placement with relative and fictive kin caregivers. However, implementation of the new policies requires proper funding.

Prior to signing S.B. 151, the governor and his administration repeatedly shared the fiscal impacts the legislation would have on the cabinet. The administration sent letters to the bill sponsor, committee members and the entire body during the 2024 legislative session and the 2024 interim requesting funding for implementation. The Governor plans to include the necessary funding in his next budget proposal.

"It is simple: The state cannot implement programs and policies if we don't have the funding needed to do so - and the Kentucky Supreme Court agrees," said the Governor. "I plan to include this in my next budget so we can get these policies moving forward to help these children."

The auditor filed the lawsuit in May 2025. Prior to dismissing the cabinet on Sept. 15, the judge dismissed the governor from the lawsuit on Aug. 4.

Click here to read the full ruling.