AL HB439

Amends Escambia County Sheriff qualifications effective June 1, 2026, changing the date from the previous May 18, 2020 requirement

Reduces the allowable separation period from active law enforcement from two consecutive years to one year before requiring recertification from the Alabama Peace Officers' Standards and Training Commission

Adds new requirement that any individual who has retired from active law enforcement must have three or more years of full-time post-retirement law enforcement service prior to qualifying

Retains existing requirements: U.S. citizenship, one-year county residency, voter registration for one year, high school diploma or GED, minimum age of 25, three years of certified law enforcement experience, and no felony convictions

Maintains annual continuing education requirement of minimum 12 hours through Alabama Sheriffs Association, National Sheriffs' Association, or other recognized law enforcement programs