# Moser plans legislation to direct Meta settlement funds to youth programs **Published:** 2026-09-16T19:38:10Z **Source:** Kentucky House Majority Caucus (press release, emailed to editor@lexingtonky.news) **AI-generated:** yes (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) **Canonical:** https://feeds.lexingtonky.news/article/moser-plans-legislation-to-direct-meta-settlement-funds-to-youth-programs FRANKFORT, Ky. — State Rep. Kim Moser said she plans to file legislation during the 2027 regular session that would create a framework ensuring [Kentucky's $358 million Meta settlement](https://kentuckylantern.com/2026/09/09/kentucky-is-getting-major-money-from-meta-settlement-how-should-the-state-spend-it/) funds support youth mental health and development programming outside of school hours, according to a press release from the House Majority Caucus. The measure would establish a dedicated fund to accept settlement funds, gifts and grants aimed at improving outcomes for youth and reducing self-harm and suicide risk, as well as create a statewide commission to promote youth mental health. Moser, a Taylor Mill Republican and House Health Services Committee chair, discussed the proposal during a September meeting of the Interim Joint Committee on Health Services. "Positive youth development programming is a proven approach that supports children's mental health by creating opportunities for them to connect with their peers and build meaningful relationships," Moser said in a statement. The bill represents a revival of [House Bill 686](https://legiscan.com/KY/bill/HB686/2026), which [passed the House overwhelmingly during the 2026 regular session but stalled in the Senate](https://www.wkms.org/government-politics/2026-09-11/kentucky-is-getting-major-money-from-meta-settlement-how-should-the-state-spend-it). The new legislation would expand the State Interagency Council for Services and Supports to Children and Transition-Age Youth and regional interagency councils to include Suicide Awareness and Reduction Network workgroups tasked with conducting community needs assessments and researching positive youth development opportunities. Moser said a key goal is ensuring funds reach counties and cities on a regional basis through existing interagency councils that address behavioral and mental health issues. "This settlement provides us with an opportunity to invest in programs that support the well-being of our youth, which is why it is important that we have a framework in place," she said. The [Meta settlement came in late August following a lawsuit by Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman and three other states](https://kentuckylantern.com/2026/08/26/meta-settles-with-kentucky-other-states-including-changes-for-kids-safety/) accusing Meta of using harmful features to drive compulsive use by children and teens. ## Sources - [Kentucky House Majority Caucus press release on Moser's legislation plans](https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/) - [Kentucky Lantern reporting on Meta settlement and Moser's proposal](https://kentuckylantern.com/2026/09/09/kentucky-is-getting-major-money-from-meta-settlement-how-should-the-state-spend-it/) - [House Bill 686 legislative details](https://legiscan.com/KY/bill/HB686/2026) - [WKMS reporting on HB 686 and 2026 session status](https://www.wkms.org/government-politics/2026-09-11/kentucky-is-getting-major-money-from-meta-settlement-how-should-the-state-spend-it) - [Kentucky Lantern coverage of Meta settlement details](https://kentuckylantern.com/2026/08/26/meta-settles-with-kentucky-other-states-including-changes-for-kids-safety/) --- This article was generated by AI (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) from a press release emailed to editor@lexingtonky.news by Kentucky House Majority Caucus, enriched with 2 web searches.