Amends TCA Title 8, Chapter 10; Title 38 and Title 39.

Present law provides that, except in Fentress County, a person must meet the following criteria in order to qualify for an election or appointment to the office of constable: <br /> <br /> (1) Be at least 21 years old;<br /> <br /> (2) Be a qualified voter of the district and a resident of the county for one year prior to the date of the qualifying deadline for running as a candidate for constable;<br /> <br /> (3) Possess at least a high school diploma or a GED certificate. However, this provision does not apply to a person holding office of constable on June 30, 2011, and who is re-elected on or after July 1, 2011, without any interruption in holding such office;<br /> <br /> (4) Not have been convicted in a federal or state court for a felony; and <br /> <br /> (5) Not have been separated or discharged from the armed forces of the United States with other than an honorable discharge. However, this subdivision does not apply to Scott County, if a person has served in the office of constable for 10 years or more. <br /> <br /> This bill adds that, except in Fentress County, in order to qualify for an election or appointment to the office of constable, a person must also have been certified by a Tennessee licensed healthcare provider qualified in the psychiatric or psychological field as being free from any impairment as set forth in the current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders of the American Psychiatric Association at the time of the examination, that would, in the professional judgment of the examiner, affect the applicant's ability to perform an essential function of the job, with or without a reasonable accommodation. <br /> <br /> COURSE TIME REQUIREMENTS<br /> <br /> Under present law, each elected constable must complete 40 hours of in-service course time for each 12-month period during which the constable holds office, beginning on the date the constable is sworn into office. However, this requirement does not apply to a constable with 20 years of cumulative service as a constable before May 3, 2018.<br /> <br /> This bill requires that, in addition to the in-service course time, a constable with law enforcement powers must, within 12 months of being elected or appointed, successfully complete a training program that is equivalent to or superior to the training or continuing training required for a law enforcement officer under standards established by the peace officer standards and training commission for law enforcement officers.<br /> <br /> APPLICABILITY<br /> <br /> This bill applies to constables elected or appointed on or after July 1, 2023.<br />