(a) After March 7, 2016, any person qualifying for election to the office of Sheriff of Autauga County or any person appointed to serve as sheriff, in addition to any other qualifications required by law, shall meet all of the following minimum qualifications:
(1) The person is a citizen of the United States.
(2) The person has been a resident of the county for at least one year immediately prior to the qualification date.
(3) The person has the qualifications of an elector pursuant to state and federal law and the person has been registered to vote in the county at least one year immediately prior to qualifying.
(4) The person has been awarded a high school diploma or a GED equivalence.
(5) The person is 25 years of age or older prior to qualifying.
(6) The person has three or more years of prior service as a law enforcement officer with the power to arrest.
(7) The person has never been convicted of a felony.
(b) Upon election, the Sheriff of Autauga County shall attend annually a minimum of 12 hours of executive level continuing education approved by the Alabama Sheriff's Association or the National Sheriff's Association. Certification of annual continuing education shall be filed with the judge of probate of the county by December 31.