HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

                     HB 2972    

 

 

Brief Description:  Regarding security guards.

 

Sponsors:  Delvin.

 

                  Hearing:  February 2, 1998

 

BACKGROUND:

 

The Department of Licensing regulates private security guards and private security guard businesses.  Examples of private security guards include security officers or guards, patrol or merchant patrol service officers or guards, armed escorts or bodyguards, armored vehicle guards, burglar alarm response runners, or crowd control officers. 

 

The Director of the Department of Licensing is responsible for licensing private security guards and private security guard businesses,  and developing examinations for licensees.  The department also has rule making and enforcement authority.

 

The director may  investigate complaints for unprofessional conduct and impose sanctions for violations of the licensing requirements. Specific acts may result in a person's conviction of a gross misdemeanor. The Department is authorized to assess administrative penalties along with license suspension, revocation, or disciplinary action. The Director may suspend or revoke a license, assess a monetary penalty, restrict or limit the security guard's practice, and take other corrective action against security guards and security guard businesses that violate any of the enumerated requirements for holding a license.

 

SUMMARY OF BILL:

 

Defines the duties of a private security guard to include:

 

(1)The observation and reporting of any unlawful activity;

(2) The prevention of theft or misappropriation of any goods, money, or other items of value;

(3) The protection of individuals or property, including, but not limited to, proprietary information, from harm or misappropriation;


(4) The control of access to premises being protected;

(5) The secure movement of prisoners;

(6) The maintenance of order and safety at athletic, entertainment, or other public activities; or

(7) Providing canine services for guarding premises or for the detection of unlawful devices or substances.

 

Exempts from regulation under the security guard law employees performing crowd management or guest services or a person who does not perform the functions of a private security guard.

 

RULES AUTHORITY:  The bill does not contain provisions addressing the rule making powers of an agency.

 

FISCAL NOTE:  Not requested.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.