KY HB138

Establishes a new nine-tier annual salary schedule for Kentucky coroners based on county population, ranging from $36,000 (counties under 5,000) to $95,335.76 (counties over 500,000), replacing the previous monthly minimum compensation system

Creates a four-step salary progression within each population tier, with coroners advancing one step per year of service up to four years

Requires the Department for Local Government to annually adjust the salary schedule by the second Friday in February using the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), with adjustments retroactive to January 1

Provides a $100 annual training incentive for coroners who complete required continuing education (40-hour initial course plus 18 hours annually), with loss of accumulated incentives for failing to meet training requirements without good cause

Takes effect January 4, 2027, with a hold-harmless provision ensuring no coroner currently in office receives a pay reduction