SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6605

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.

As of February 5, 2020

Title: An act relating to annual licensure of security guards.

Brief Description: Licensing security guards.

Sponsors: Senators Holy and Pedersen.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Labor & Commerce: 2/04/20.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Requires the license fee to be itemized on an armed private security guard license application and renewal form.

  • Requires that the Department of Licensing (DOL) conduct an investigation on license renewals for private security guards, armed private security guards, and private security companies.

  • Removes the requirement that DOL get comments from local law enforcement on issuance of a permanent private security guard license.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR & COMMERCE

Staff: Susan Jones (786-7404)

Background: The Department of Licensing (DOL) licenses and regulates security guards, including private security guards, armed private security guards, and private security company.

To obtain a private security guard license, an applicant must meet the following minimum requirements to:

To obtain an armed private security guard license, an applicant must meet the following minimum requirements :

In addition to meeting the minimum requirements to obtain a license as a private security guard, an applicant or qualifying agent must meet the following requirements to obtain a license to own or operate a private security company:

Summary of Bill: The license fee must be clearly itemized on an armed private security guard license application and renewal form. The requirements for investigation apply for a license renewal as well. The requirement is removed that DOL get comments from local law enforcement on issuance of a permanent private security guard license.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on February 4, 2020.

Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: Law enforcement is stretched thin. Security guards have become an auxiliary or ancillary part of law enforcement, their eyes and ears and providing information. Some are authorized to carry guns. They have a background check. However, the annual license renewal does not do an additional background check. This provides a disservice to those who contract with them, the employers and the public. Even though checks may be done in initial licensing, other issues may come up after as it could in other professions. They are standards in statute but without periodic review, there is no way to know if the standards are being met.

A security officer did not show up for work one day and they found out it was because he had not been arraigned yet. A security guard could have one background check and work for 20 years without another one. There are approximately 10,000 security guards licensed. There are more security guards than law enforcement. We want to provide a criminal free security guard to hospitals, school, or more. One security guard company did the criminal background checks themselves and found seven people with concerning issues. The public cannot afford these mistakes.

OTHER: We request two amendments. First, that the comment by local enforcement be retained. Second, that the security guards be prohibited from wearing uniforms that closely resemble that of a law enforcement officer. We have seen that trend growing. Victims of crime may attempt to report it to a security guard who has not authority or obligation to anything about it. The public has raised the expectations of law enforcement and we would like the distinction between law enforcement and security guards clearly made.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Jeff Holy, Prime Sponsor; Jeff Kirby, Washington State Security Council; Bill Cottringer, Washington State Security Council; Michael Moran, Washington State Security Council; Tamera Warnke, Washington State Security Council. OTHER: James McMahan, Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.