Pursuant to KRS 15A.020, the JPSC is responsible for housing the Office of the State Medical Examiner (OSME), which is headed by the Chief Medical Examiner for the Commonwealth of Kentucky. OSME is responsible for all matters relating to forensic pathology and forensic toxicology. Recognized as national leaders in their respective field, the scientific staff members of OSME provide death investigation services and forensic autopsy services for deaths that occur in Kentucky when authorized by county coroners or the court. All deaths that are sudden or unexpected or occur from other than natural causes must be reported to the county coroner, who then may authorize a postmortem examination by OSME. The goal of OSME is to assist county coroners, families, law enforcement agencies and the legal system by determining a scientifically unbiased and logical cause and manner of death.

The Kentucky Parole Board is an independent, autonomous agency attached in administrative capacity to the JPSC under KRS 439.330. The Kentucky Parole Board consists of nine full-time members whose primary responsibility is to grant and revoke parole for adult felony offenders incarcerated in Kentucky correctional institutions. The purpose of the Parole Board is to determine if, when and under what circumstances the best interest of society will be served by allowing an offender to serve a portion of their sentence in the community under supervision and conditions of parole. Parole is the process that endeavors to reintegrate the offender from incarceration back into society, before restoring complete freedom.

Under the provisions of KRS 15A.150, the JPSC shall administer all state and federally funded grant programs related to criminal justice. The Grants Management Division, located within the Department of Justice Administration, serves as the designated State Administering Agency for most of the criminal justice and victim service-related discretionary and formula grants issued by the U.S. Department of Justice. Programs are administered according to funding source guidelines, applicable statutes, state, and agency priorities and policies.

Pursuant to KRS 15A.020 the JPSC is responsible for housing the Office of Drug Control Policy (ODCP) which is tasked with coordinating Kentucky's response to addiction. The goal of ODCP is to change the way addiction is handled, reduce the stigma and prevalence, and make the Commonwealth a model for other states. ODCP works with leaders and stakeholders in prevention, education, treatment, and law enforcement in a united effort to confront the epidemic.

The Access to Justice Foundation is a poverty law resource center dedicated to providing opportunity for quality civil legal assistance for low-income Kentuckians. This is accomplished by supporting Kentucky's four legal services programs and pro bono lawyers and promoting awareness in the legal community of the need for volunteers to assist poor Kentuckians in civil matters.

Per KRS 15A.075, the JPSC provides administrative support to the Criminal Justice Council (CJC). When active, the CJC is intended to be a neutral forum for discussion of systemic issues by a diverse group of state and local criminal justice professionals.

I ne base budget provides $15,855,600 in fiscal year 2027 and $15,860,200 in fiscal year 2028 for substance abuse initiatives. This funding enables the Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy to continue to work towards increased public education, access to treatment, and greater access to naloxone. Funding is provided to the following entities:

The base budget in each fiscal year includes General Fund resources for the following programs:

256