Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Business & Financial Services Committee |
HB 2233
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: Concerning temporary registration cards for private investigators.
Sponsors: Representative McDonald.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/9/18
Staff: Robbi Kesler (786-7153).
Background:
The Department of Licensing (Department) issues licenses for private investigators and private security guards. A private investigator is a person employed by a private investigator agency for purposes of investigation, escort or bodyguard services, or property loss prevention activities. A private security guard is a person employed as a security officer or guard, patrol or merchant patrol service officer or guard, armed escort or bodyguard, armored vehicle guard, burglar alarm response runner, or crowd control officer or guard.
To obtain a license as a private investigator or private security guard, an applicant must:
be at least 18 years old;
be a citizen or resident alien;
not have a criminal conviction related to the duties of private investigators or private
security guards, respectively, that affects public safety;
be employed by, have an employment offer from, or be licensed as a private investigator
agency or private security guard company, respectively;
submit a set of fingerprints;
pay a fee;
submit an application that includes identification; and
satisfy training requirements.
In addition to meeting the requirements to obtain a license as a private investigator, the applicant, or, in the case of a partnership or limited partnership, each partner, or, in the case of a corporation, the qualifying agent must meet the following additional requirements to obtain a private investigator agency license:
pass an examination, as determined by the Department, to measure knowledge and competence; or
have at least three years' experience in investigative work or its equivalent, as determined by the Department.
Summary of Bill:
A private investigator agency may issue a temporary registration card to prospective employees while a background check is being conducted and the licensing application is being processed. Temporary registration cards may be issued only after the employee has completed preassignment training and testing, and initiated a fingerprint-based background check. The private investigator license application must be mailed to the Department within three business days after issuance of the temporary registration card.
The temporary registration card permits the applicant to perform the duties of a private investigator for the issuing private investigator agency and does not authorize the applicant to carry a firearm during the performance of those duties.
The temporary registration card must be surrender to the private investigator agency upon receipt of a permanent license or notification from the Department that the permanent license is being withheld from the applicant.
The Department may suspend private investigator agencies' authority to issue temporary registration cards if the private investigator agency fails to comply. The Department may reinstate this authority after a minimum of one year.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on 1/5/18.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.