Private employers are now able to voluntarily purchase Paid Family Leave insurance to provide paid, job-protected time off for their employees. If your employer chooses to offer this benefit, you can access paid leave to manage a "qualifying exigency" that arises from your family member’s active military duty or foreign deployment. This paid time off can be used for essential deployment-related activities, such as arranging military childcare, handling financial and legal matters, or attending official military events. Because this is a voluntary program, you should ask your employer’s HR department if they have purchased a paid family leave insurance plan that includes this military exigency coverage.

Kentucky HB 6 establishes a 2-year military childcare pilot program that exempts Department of War-certified family childcare providers that reside off-base from redundant state licensing requirements. The pilot begins 1 July 2026.

Kentucky created the Kentucky Commission on Military Affairs to help coordinate military related issues through the legislature and state agencies. The commission operates as a separate administrative body of state government within the meaning of KRS Chapter 12. The Commission shall consist of the following or their designated representatives: The Governor, ... Adjutant General of the Commonwealth... Commissioner of the Department of Veterans' Affairs... The Commander from each of the 16 military commands or installations, and five (5) at-large members representing counties significantly impacted by military installations. Summary: This body includes members of the military community ensuring unique operational requirements and military family issues are considered across pertinent policy areas and state administrations.