FRANKFORT, Ky., March 26, 2026 – The Judicial Branch would be forced to eliminate Specialty Courts statewide under the current Judicial Branch budget bill moving through the General Assembly. These programs include Drug, Mental Health and Veterans Treatment Courts that serve thousands of Kentuckians struggling with addiction, mental illness and other challenges.

The Judicial Branch budget, House Bill 504, underfunds court operations by $14.3 million in fiscal 2027 and $18.7 million in fiscal 2028. Without that funding, the Judicial Branch would face layoffs, furloughs and major service reductions. As the bill is currently written, the budget includes reductions to the court operations base appropriation of 4% in fiscal 2027 and 7% in fiscal 2028.

Chief Justice of the Commonwealth Debra Hembree Lambert said the scale of the funding gap leaves the Judicial Branch with few options.

“The Judicial Branch already operates with a lean budget, with about 90% devoted to personnel and the basic costs required to keep courthouses open and functioning,” Chief Justice Lambert said. “When cuts of this magnitude occur, there is simply no way to absorb them through small efficiencies or administrative changes. The only viable option we have is to eliminate programs that are not constitutionally required, including Drug, Mental Health and Veterans Treatment Courts. These programs change lives every day, but without adequate funding we cannot continue them.”

Kentucky’s Specialty Courts are marking their 30th anniversary this year and have earned national recognition for their results, serving as a model for similar programs across the country. Specialty Courts, the umbrella term for Drug, Mental Health and Veterans Treatment Courts, provide treatment-focused supervision for people whose criminal behavior is closely tied to substance use disorders or serious mental illness. Participants must complete intensive treatment programs, frequent drug testing and close court supervision designed to address the root causes of their offenses.

Specialty Courts in Kentucky have produced measurable, life-changing outcomes for thousands of participants since 2019, based on the most current data available through August 2025. The programs have helped 5,110 individuals secure employment, including 1,621 who earned promotions. Another 555 participants achieved educational goals, while 1,621 improved their housing stability. Participants also obtained 2,025 driver’s licenses, removing a major barrier to employment and independence and the programs supported the birth of 404 drug-free babies.

Over a five-year span, participants paid more than $5.4 million in child support, restitution and other court-related obligations, supporting families, compensating victims and ensuring court-ordered financial responsibilities are met.

Drug courts operate in all 120 Kentucky counties and currently serve approximately 2,500 active participants who are considered high risk and high need due to substance use disorders. Mental Health Courts operate in 17 counties, serving 270 participants with serious mental illness or co-occurring substance use disorders. Veterans Treatment Courts operate in eight counties, serving 92 military veterans and service members facing similar challenges.

Specialty Courts also provide a lower-cost alternative to incarceration. In Kentucky, the average annual cost to incarcerate one person is about $16,060, or roughly $44 per day, according to the Vera Institute of Justice. By comparison, the average annual cost for a Specialty Court participant is about $6,507, or roughly $18 per day. Program outcomes also show recidivism rates below the statewide average.

Lawmakers are expected to finalize the state budget on or before April 1, leaving a narrow window for changes to the Judicial Branch budget bill.

If Drug, Mental Health and Veterans Treatment Courts has impacted you or someone you care about and you’re concerned about what these changes could mean for recovery and stability, you can contact your legislator at https://kcoj.info/ContactYourLegislator or call 1-800-372-7181.

Administrative Office of the Courts
The AOC is the operations arm for the state court system and supports the activities of nearly 3,300 employees and 412 elected justices, judges and circuit court clerks. As the fiscal agent for the state court system, the AOC executes the Judicial Branch budget.

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