(1) When a county creates a deputy sheriff merit board, the board shall issue, and publish within forty-eight (48) hours after their adoption, rules that are not inconsistent with the provisions of KRS 70.260 to 70.273. The board shall provide a certified copy of the rules to:
(a) The sheriff of the county who shall additionally post a copy in a conspicuous place in the main office and in any branch offices where deputies are regularly assigned to work from;
(b) The county judge/executive of the county; and (c) The legislative body of the county.
(2) The board shall, at a minimum, adopt a body of rules that addresses the following subjects:
(a) For deputy sheriffs:
1. Qualifications for initial and continued employment, which shall at a minimum include: citizenship, age, physical, mental, and educational requirements;
2. Grounds for temporary appointments;
3. Advancement requirements. Deputy sheriffs shall be employed for at least three (3) full years before being eligible for the rank of sergeant;
4. Factors that shall, or may, result in demotion, the procedures for determining whether or not to demote a deputy, and the procedures for executing a demotion;
5. Factors that shall, or may, result in fining, probation, suspension, or removal; and 6. Administrative procedures for the deputies in the office such as transfer, lay-off, and reinstatement.
(b) For the general administration of the board itself:
1. Organizational structure and conduct of meetings;
2. Procedure and conduct of public hearings as a result of the board's actions; and 3. Implementation and execution of written and oral examinations, and physical tests of fitness for appointment and promotion of deputies.
(3) The subsequent issuance of additional rules, or of the repeal or amendment of existing rules shall follow the provisions indicated in subsection (1) of this section.