| Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research |
BILL ANALYSIS |
| Commerce & Labor Committee | |
HB 1988
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
Brief Description: Changing provisions affecting security guards.
Sponsors: Representatives Morrell, DeBolt, Lovick, Conway, Green, Hudgins and Kenney.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/23/07
Staff: Joan Elgee (786-7106).
Background:
Approximately 7,500 persons are licensed to work as private security guards in Washington.
Security guards must complete at least eight hours of pre-assignment training. At least four
hours of this training must be classroom instruction. A trainer certified by the Department of
Licensing (Department) must report this training to the Department. The training may be waived
for a person who was employed full-time as a peace officer not more than five years prior to
applying for a license and who passes the security guard exam.
Security guards must also complete at least eight hours of post-assignment training. Four of
these hours must be completed within the first six months of becoming licensed and the
remaining four must be completed within the following six months. The eight hour requirement
increases by one hour every year until 2012 for a total of 15 hours of post-assignment training.
Summary of Bill:
The requirements for private security guard post-assignment training are modified. Instead of a
one hour increase each year until 2012, the training is separated into initial post-assignment
training and annual refresher training. The initial post-assignment training is eight hours and the
annual refresher training is four hours. For the refresher training, no more than one hour may
focus directly on customer service related skills and the remaining three hours must focus on
emergency response, including but not limited to knowledge of site post orders or life safety.
The time frame for completion of post-assignment training is changed. Instead of being based on
the individual security guard's license date, the time frame is determined by whether the security
guard was licensed in the first half of the year or the last half of the year. Those licensed in the
first half of the year must complete their training by June 30 of the following year and those
licensed in the second half of the year must complete their training by December 31 of the
following year.
A security guard company may waive the initial post-assignment training for security guards who
transfer from another company and have appropriate records or for persons who have been a
sworn law enforcement officer within the past five years and pass the security guard exam.
Companies do not need to report pre-assignment training to the Department but must retain all
training records. Training records must contain a description of the topics covered, the name and
signature of the trainer, and the name and signature of the security guard.
The Department must meet with interested parties to develop lists of suggested pre-assignment,
post-assignment, and refresher training by rule.
Rules Authority: The Department must adopt rules to implement the provisions of the bill.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.