KRS 70.293: Terms of employment of retired police officer.

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

(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;

(b) Receive compensation according to the standard procedures applicable to the

employing county police department or sheriff's office; and

(c) Be employed based upon need as determined by the county police department

or the employing sheriff's office.

(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:

(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;

(b) Except as provided in paragraph (e) of this subsection, individuals employed

under KRS 70.291 to 70.293 shall no t 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;

(c) The county police department, sheriff's office, or fiscal court of t he 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;

(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

(e) Effective August 1, 2026, the chief legislative body of the county, urban -

county, or consolidated local government who is responsible for approving

the b udget 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 go verning body of the county, urban -

county, or consolidated local government.

(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.