KentuckyHB 2132026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

AN ACT relating to reemployment of retired police officers.

Sponsored By: Emily Callaway (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Actuarial AnalysisPeace Officers And Law EnforcementPersonnel And EmploymentPolice, City And CountyRetirement And PensionsSheriffs

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 5 mixed.

Retirement and health benefits continue when rehired

If you are rehired under KRS 70.291–70.293, 95.022, or 164.952, you keep the retirement and health insurance benefits you had when you retired, while you work under these rehiring laws. After age 65, when Medicare Secondary Payer rules apply, the retirement system keeps providing hospital and medical coverage, and it may charge a separate premium rate for this group.

Local employers stop some retirement-system payments

If you are rehired under KRS 70.291–70.293, 95.022, or 164.952, your county, city, or college does not pay the employer contributions or retiree health expense reimbursements otherwise required by KRS 61.637(17) or 78.5540(4). This lowers employer costs. It may change how retiree health expenses are handled.

Rehired officers: employer health plans by local vote

By default, if you are rehired under KRS 70.291–70.293, 95.022, or 164.952, you are not eligible for health insurance from the hiring county, city, or college. Starting August 1, 2026, the county’s chief legislative body, a city’s legislative body, or a college’s governing body can vote to offer employer health coverage and set the plan’s terms. Without that vote, no employer health plan is provided.

City police rehire rules and hiring caps

Cities can rehire retired officers only if you have at least 20 years of service, were in the Law Enforcement Foundation Program fund or retired as a commissioned officer, took the required break, have no pending administrative charges, and had no prearranged return deal. Jobs are up to one year and renew only if the city chooses; pay follows normal city rules and hiring is based on need. Hiring caps apply by city size: no cap if the city averaged 5 or fewer officers last year; if more than 5 but under 100, the cap is the larger of 5 or 25% of last year’s average; if 100 or more, the cap is the larger of 25 or 10%. Merit or civil service rules still apply, but a one‑year nonrenewal is not discipline and does not trigger due process.

Rehire rules for campus police officers

Colleges can rehire retired police only if you have at least 20 years of service; were in the Law Enforcement Foundation Program fund, retired as a commissioned officer, or retired as a campus police officer; took the required break; have no pending administrative charges; and had no prearranged return deal. Jobs are for up to one year and renew only if the school chooses; pay follows the school’s normal rules and is based on need. School due process rules still apply, but not renewing a one‑year term is not a disciplinary action and does not trigger due process.

Rehire rules for county police and sheriffs

Counties and sheriffs can rehire retired officers only if you have at least 20 years of service, were in the Law Enforcement Foundation Program fund or retired as a commissioned officer, took the required break in service, have no pending administrative charges, and had no prearranged return-to-work deal. Jobs are for up to one year and renew only at the employer’s choice. Pay follows normal county or sheriff rules, and hiring is based on need. Merit or civil service rules still apply, but not renewing a one-year term is not a disciplinary action and does not trigger due process.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Emily Callaway
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Beverly Chester-Burton
Democrat • House
Jim Gooch Jr.
Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 230 • No: 0

House vote • 3/31/2026

passed

Yes: 95 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/20/2026

3rd reading, passed

Yes: 37 • No: 0

House vote • 2/18/2026