KY HB589

Cities may employ retired firefighters from Kentucky Employees Retirement System, County Employees Retirement System, or State Police Retirement System who have at least 20 years of service credit and have been separated for the required period

Retired firefighters employed under this program continue receiving their full retirement and health insurance benefits; cities are not required to pay employer contributions or health reimbursements to the retirement systems for these employees

Employment is limited to 1-year terms (renewable annually), with caps based on city size: unlimited for cities with 5 or fewer firefighters, up to 25% for mid-size departments, and up to 10% for departments with 100+ firefighters

The bill amends multiple sections of KRS Chapters 61 and 78 to add references to this new firefighter reemployment provision alongside existing exemptions for sheriff's deputies, police officers, and university public safety officers

Reemployed firefighters remain subject to city merit system and civil service rules, but non-renewal of a 1-year term is not considered a disciplinary action requiring due process