{"data":{"id":"us-ky/krs-163.475","jurisdiction":"us-ky","citation":"KRS 163.475","heading":"Legislative findings and provisions relating to transition of operation of","body":"Kentucky Industries for the Blind.\n(1) The General Assembly finds that the provision of industrial evaluation, training,\nand employment opportunities for individuals who  are blind or visually impaired is\na valuable and necessary component of vocational rehabilitation services. The office\nhas sole responsibility for and the obligation to operate and manage a Division of\nthe Kentucky Industries for the Blind. This facility has struggled to meet these\nmandates but, faced with declining available state revenues, expects a continual\ndiminishment to a submarginal operation with respect to providing viable long-term\nemployment opportunities that are self -sustaining and sufficient ly diversified for\nindividuals who are blind or visually impaired.\n(2) The General Assembly finds that increased flexibility in contract negotiation,\npurchasing, and hiring will enhance the competitiveness of the Kentucky Industries\nfor the Blind, resultin g in additional production contracts thereby guaranteeing\ncontinued and expanded jobs and other opportunities for individuals who are blind\nor visually impaired. This flexibility and competitiveness can be achieved through\nthe operation of the Kentucky Ind ustries for the Blind by a nonprofit corporation,\nthe members of which have expertise in management skills and background\npertaining to sound business practices and rehabilitation philosophy.\n(3) The General Assembly finds that a transition period from sta te division to a\nnonprofit operation is necessary to ensure the success and continuation of the\nimportant functions of the Kentucky Industries for the Blind. Therefore, the General\nAssembly shall continue to support the Division of the Kentucky Industries for the\nBlind through appropriations to the office for six (6) years in order to eliminate\neventually the necessity for annual state appropriations. The office shall monitor\nand safeguard the expenditure of those public moneys for the use and benefit of th e\nKentucky Industries for the Blind and citizens who are blind and visually impaired\nin the Commonwealth.\n(4) The General Assembly finds that the continued employment of current employees\nof the Division of the Kentucky Industries for the Blind is a necessary and important\noutcome. The office shall ensure through contractual provisions that the nonprofit\ncorporation it contracts with pursuant to KRS 163.480(2) offers employment to\nevery employee of the Kentucky Industries for the Blind at the time the nonpr ofit\ncorporation assumes total responsibility for the operation of the workshop. The\noffice shall maximize the retirement benefits for each current employee of the\nDivision of Kentucky Industries for the Blind at the time the office contracts for\ntotal operation by the nonprofit corporation through the parted employer provisions\nof KRS 61.510 to 61.705.\n(5) The General Assembly finds that at the time the Kentucky Industries for the Blind is\noperated totally by the nonprofit corporation, the office shall hav e the authority to\nconvey ownership of the workshop to any nonprofit corporation with which it\ncontracts pursuant to KRS 163.480(2) without financial consideration, including\nreal and personal property, inventory of materials, and stores for resale. The\ninstrument of conveyance to such nonprofit corporation shall provide that the real\nproperty and production equipment conveyed, or sufficient remuneration therefor,\nshall revert to the state at any time the nonprofit corporation or its successor shall\ncease operating the Kentucky Industries for the Blind for the benefit of individuals\nwho are blind or visually impaired.","path":["KRS Chapter 163"],"source_url":"https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=49104","current_through":"Includes enactments through the 2026 Regular Session","vintage":"09/05/2026","retrieved_at":"2026-09-05T20:51:13Z","sha256":"69f4c8a6962f8b1b72a7217185cd7a23d5745d6fa03280a2952c6f67299c863f","source_id":"us-ky","stale":false,"prev":"us-ky/krs-163.470","next":"us-ky/krs-163.480"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}