Senate approves bill to allow metal detectors in state parks

HERALD-LEADER FRANKFORT BUREAU

FRANKFORT — The Senate narrowly approved a bill Tuesday that would allow the use
of metal detectors in public areas of state parks.

Sen. Dan Seum, R-Louisville, said he was sponsoring Senate Bill 105 on behalf of a group of hobbyists who use metal detectors.

But some senators expressed concern that the use of the detectors in state parks could damage property and lead to loss of historic artifacts like Civil War munitions.

Sen. Kathy Stein, D-Lexington, said the measure also would be difficult to police.

The bill passed on a 20-16 vote and was sent to the House for its consideration.

The Senate also approved a bill to allow police to make arrests based solely on probable cause for assaults that occur in hospital emergency rooms.

Senate Bill 58, sponsored by Sen. John Schickel, R-Union, would allow police to make the arrests without witnessing the crimes.

The arrests would be for fourth-degree assault, a misdemeanor.

Some lawmakers warned of a trend of allowing police to make arrests based on probable cause for other misdemeanors.

The bill now goes to the House for its consideration.

Filed Under: KY General Assembly