SB 328 makes a narrow, technical change to Kentucky law governing police oaths. It amends KRS 95.200 to update the wording from “policemen” to “special police officers” and clarifies that each member of the police force, including special police officers, must take an oath before beginning official duties. The bill also retains the requirement that the oath be signed and filed with the Department of Public Safety.
The measure appears to be primarily a modernization and clarification bill rather than a substantive policy change. By revising outdated terminology and restating the oath requirement in gender-neutral language, it aligns the statute with current usage while preserving the existing legal obligation for law enforcement personnel to formally swear in before serving.
Impact
The bill would amend a single statute, KRS 95.200, affecting the procedural requirements for police officers and special police officers in Kentucky. It does not create new powers, penalties, or duties beyond the existing oath requirement, but it updates statutory language and confirms that the oath filing remains with the Department of Public Safety. Its practical effect is limited to terminology and administrative clarity for law enforcement agencies and officers.
Sentiment
There is no recorded committee debate or vote history in the provided materials, so the bill’s sentiment cannot be measured from discussion. Based on the text alone, SB 328 appears noncontroversial and administrative in nature, with an apparent focus on housekeeping and statutory modernization rather than policy change.
Contention
No specific points of contention are documented in the available transcripts or votes. If any concerns were to arise, they would likely center on the scope of the terminology change or the administrative filing requirement, but the bill text itself suggests minimal controversy because it preserves existing oath procedures and only updates wording.