Title: An act relating to security guard training.

Brief Description: Requiring DOL to conduct a review of annual postassignment training of security guards.

Sponsors: By Representatives Lovick, Campbell, Simpson, DeBolt, Hinkle and O'Brien.

Brief History:

Commerce & Labor: 2/21/05, 3/2/05 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 2/14/06, 87-9.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 4 members: Representatives Conway, Chair; Wood, Vice Chair; Hudgins and McCoy.

Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 3 members: Representatives Condotta, Ranking Minority Member; Sump, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; and Crouse.

Staff: Chris Cordes (786-7103).

Background:

There are about 7,500 security guards licensed to work in Washington. They are employed by 167 security guard businesses, large and small.

Licensing requirements for security guards include a requirement to complete of eight hours of pre-assignment training before beginning independent work. Beginning on July 1, 2005, licensees became subject to a post-assignment training requirement. For new licensees, four hours of this training must be completed within six months after becoming licensed, and the remaining four hours by the end of the licensee's first year. The amount of post-assignment training required of new licensees increases by one hour each year until the requirement reaches 15 hours in 2012. A new licensee is subject to the hours required on the date he or she was initially licensed and must complete the additional training within the first 18 months after being initially licensed.

The Department of Licensing has, by rule, set content requirements for this training. Among the areas that must be covered are:

• basic security, including the role of a security officer;
• legal powers and limitations, including the use of force;
• emergency response;
• preparing reports; and
• public relations, including skills for communication and avoiding confrontation.

Summary of Engrossed Bill:

The Department of Licensing (Department) must undertake a review, using the statutory criteria for a licensure sunrise review to the extent appropriate, of: (1) the need for annual postassignment training of private security guards that would cover review and practice of security guard skills; (2) whether various levels of postassignment training may be appropriate depending on duties assigned; (3) the need for record keeping requirements related to postassignment training; and (4) the need for civil penalties to enforce requirements for private security guard training.

The Department must report the results of the study to the appropriate legislative committees by January 1, 2007.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: (In support) The security guard industry is a growing industry especially in the aftermath of September 11. The average starting wage is $8.67 - $13.37. The level of responsibility is daunting, and high quality service in the industry is not encouraged. There is competitive bidding, periodic training (most of the time only basic), and no standard criteria from company to company. There is a need for a framework and licensing and training standards through each security guard's career, and the Department needs to be empowered to enforce this.

There has been little improvement in training, and the industry has simply filled in the gaps with different standards at different sites. This often results in brand new officers with very little training, and this problem cannot be fixed at one site. Often times, security guards are required to sign forms indicating that they have received training when in actuality they have not. Expertise should be incorporated into the infrastructure.

Testimony Against: There is a belief that this bill will harm small businesses. House Bill 2657 was passed and went into effect in June 2004. However, it has not had the opportunity to be fully implemented. House Bill 2657 established strong statewide policies, and the fiscal note on the current bill is not realistic. There are several other uncertainties that are created by the language of the bill, and site specific training is already addressed in private company's contracts.

Persons Testifying: (In support) Franklin Bullock, Wackenhut; Debbie Francisco, security guard; and Robby Stern, Washington State Labor Council.

(Opposed) Michael Transue, Pierce County Security Services; and Jeff Kirby, Washington State Security Council.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.