1. (1) Individuals employed under KRS 70.291 to 70.293 shall:

   1. (a) Serve for a term not to exceed one (1) year. The one (1) year employment term may be renewed annually at the discretion of the employing county police department or sheriff's office;
   2. (b) Receive compensation according to the standard procedures applicable to the employing county police department or sheriff's office; and
   3. (c) Be employed based upon need as determined by the county police department or the employing sheriff's office.

2. (2) Notwithstanding any provisions of KRS 16.505 to 16.652, 18A.225 to 18A.2287, 61.510 to 61.705, or 78.510 to 78.852 to the contrary:

   1. (a) Individuals employed under KRS 70.291 to 70.293 shall continue to receive all retirement and health insurance benefits to which they were entitled upon retiring in the applicable system administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems or the County Employees Retirement System;
   2. (b) Except as provided in paragraph (e) of this subsection, individuals employed under KRS 70.291 to 70.293 shall not be eligible to receive health insurance coverage through the county police department, the sheriff's office, or the fiscal court of the county police department or sheriff's office;
   3. (c) The county police department, sheriff's office, or fiscal court of the county police department or sheriff's office shall not pay any employer contributions or retiree health expense reimbursements to the Kentucky Retirement Systems required by KRS 61.637(17) or 78.5540(4) for individuals employed under KRS 70.291 to 70.293;
   4. (d) Except as provided in paragraph (e) of this subsection, the county police department, sheriff's office, or fiscal court of the county police department or sheriff's office shall not pay any insurance contributions to the state health insurance plan, as provided by KRS 18A.225 to 18A.2287, for individuals employed under KRS 70.291 to 70.293; and
   5. (e) Effective August 1, 2026, the chief legislative body of the county, urban- county, or consolidated local government who is responsible for approving the budget of the sheriff's office or sheriff's department may by legislative action provide or authorize provision of health insurance coverage for individuals employed under KRS 70.291 to 70.293, subject to the terms and conditions established by the chief governing body of the county, urban- county, or consolidated local government.
3. (3) Individuals employed under KRS 70.291 to 70.293 shall be subject to any merit system, civil service, or other legislative due process provisions applicable to the county police department or sheriff's office. A decision not to renew a one (1) year appointment term under this section shall not be considered a disciplinary action or deprivation subject to due process.

Effective: July 15, 2026

History: Amended 2026 Ky. Acts ch. 73, sec. 2, effective July 15, 2026. -- Amended 2021 Ky. Acts ch. 102, sec. 80, effective April 1, 2021. -- Amended 2020 Ky. Acts ch. 79, sec. 31, effective April 1, 2021. -- Amended 2018 Ky. Acts ch. 171, sec. 22, effective April 14, 2018; and ch. 207, sec. 22, effective April 27, 2018. -- Amended 2015 Ky. Acts ch. 71, sec. 3, effective June 24, 2015. -- Created 2014 Ky. Acts ch. 96, sec. 3, effective July 15, 2014.