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Read. Follow. Verify.Kentucky HB 684 establishes mandatory training and certification requirements to restore full peace officer powers to constables and deputy constables
Last action · February 26, 2026: to Judiciary (H)Sponsors: Ryan Dotson and 13 others
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What This Bill Proposed
AN ACT relating to constables and declaring an emergency.
The measure directly alters the legal authority, operational equipment allowances, and bond requirements for elected constables across the Commonwealth, impacting local court process serving, traffic enforcement, and public safety coordination.
- Constables in Kentucky are elected constitutional peace officers whose duties and training requirements have historically been subject to evolving statutory adjustments by the General Assembly. context
- The Kentucky Law Enforcement Council operates as an independent administrative body of state government responsible for establishing and maintaining training standards for peace officers. context
Who It Would Have Affected
Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Constables and Deputy Constables
Must complete 80 hours of basic training and 40 hours of annual in-service training to maintain peace officer powers, carry emergency equipment, and execute legal process.
Kentucky Law Enforcement Council
Must review, approve, and certify training courses, promulgate administrative regulations, track officer training status, and issue notifications regarding training deficiencies.
County Judges/Executive
Receive regular notifications from the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council concerning the training status of constables and deputy constables within their counties.
Key Facts
- The Kentucky Law Enforcement Council must approve and certify an 80-hour basic training course for constables within 90 days of submission.
- To maintain certification and peace officer powers, constables and deputy constables must complete 40 hours of annual in-service training.
- Constables serving in office on the effective date who have served consecutive terms since December 31, 2022, are recognized as certified constables upon completing the annual 40-hour in-service training.
- Certified constables possess peace officer powers including the power to cite and arrest, conduct traffic stops, enforce state motor vehicle laws, and execute warrants and subpoenas.
Show all 8 facts
- Every constable and deputy constable must execute a bond in the minimum amount of ten thousand dollars ($10,000), which must be renewed biennially.
- Failure to complete required basic or in-service training results in automatic loss of peace officer powers and placement on training deficiency status.
- The executive director of the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council may grant an extension of up to 180 days for training completion due to extenuating circumstances.
- Constables meeting certification requirements or specific fiscal court approvals may equip their vehicles with flashing, rotating, or oscillating blue lights and a siren.
Frequently Asked Questions
What training is required for a constable to hold peace officer powers under this bill?
What happens if a constable fails to complete the required in-service training?
Can constables use blue lights and sirens on their vehicles?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · in House committee.
Procedural history
2 actions- Feb 26, 2026HouseCommitteeto Judiciary (H)
- Feb 19, 2026HouseIntroducedintroduced in House to Committee on Committees (H)
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Show 9 more sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Mandatory Training for Constables
Shifts constable qualification from mere election to mandatory council-certified basic and annual in-service training to exercise peace officer powers.
Connected Entities
Sources
apps.legislature.ky.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance20Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 75)
- Controversy40Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz30Current news / social attention level
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