KY HB492

Amends KRS 70.260 through 70.273 to extend deputy sheriff merit board jurisdiction to include certified court security officers employed by the sheriff, giving counties the option to include them through ordinance

Requires certified court security officers to complete basic training requirements under KRS 15.3975 within one year of employment or one year following creation of a deputy sheriff merit board in their county

Extends the same employment protections to certified court security officers as deputy sheriffs, including prohibitions on political activity requirements, protection from retaliation for political beliefs, and due process rights in disciplinary proceedings

Establishes a one-year probationary period for certified court security officers during which the sheriff may revoke their appointment at will, with full merit system protections applying after the probationary period

Allows counties to exclude certified court security officers in policy-making or confidential positions from merit system coverage, with those officers receiving a leave of absence from the merit system during such assignments