1. (a) In Marion County, after June 15, 2023, any individual seeking to qualify for election to the office of sheriff or any individual appointed to serve as sheriff shall meet all of the following minimum qualifications in addition to any other qualifications required by law:

   1. (1) The individual is a citizen of the United States.
   2. (2) The individual has been a resident of Marion County for at least one year immediately prior to the qualification date or appointment date.
   3. (3) The individual has the qualifications of an elector pursuant to state and federal law and has been registered to vote in Marion County for at least one year immediately prior to the qualification date or appointment date.
   4. (4) The individual has attained a high school diploma or its equivalent, such as a GED.
   5. (5) The individual is 25 years of age or older prior to the qualification date or appointment date.
   6. (6) The individual has at least three years of prior full-time service as a law enforcement officer having the power of arrest, certified by the Alabama Peace Officers’ Standards and Training Commission.
   7. (7) The individual has never been convicted of a felony criminal offense nor been convicted of a criminal offense in another jurisdiction that would qualify as a felony if committed in this state.

   8. (8) The individual has either of the following qualifications:

      1. a. Has not been retired or separated from full-time active law enforcement, certified through the Alabama Peace Officers’ Standards and Training Commission, for more than two consecutive years immediately prior to the qualification date or appointment date.
      2. b. If the individual does not qualify under paragraph a., the individual has obtained a recertification of full-time active law enforcement status as a law enforcement officer from the Alabama Peace Officers’ Standards and Training Commission prior to the qualification date or appointment date.
2. (b) Each year, the Sheriff of Marion County shall attend a minimum of 12 hours of executive level continuing education training approved by the Alabama Sheriffs Association, the National Sheriffs’ Association, or any other recognized executive level continuing education training designed for law enforcement.

(Act 2023-552, §§ 1, 2.)