Brief Description: Exempting guest services or crowd management employees from the requirements of chapter 18.170 RCW.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research & Development (originally sponsored by Senator Delvin).

Hearing Date: 2/15/06

Staff: Chris Cordes (786-7103).

Background:

The Department of Licensing (Department) regulates private security guards and private security guard businesses. A private security guard is an individual licensed under the private security guard licensing law and principally employed as:

• a security officer or guard;
• merchant patrol officer or guard;
• armed escort or bodyguard;
• armored vehicle guard;
• burglar alarm response runner; or
• crowd control officer or guard.

To be licensed as a private security guard, applicants must meet minimum requirements, including no criminal history related to the capacity to perform private security guard duties, and pay a license fee. After receiving an application for a license, the Department conducts a background investigation of the applicant, including fingerprint comparison.

The private security guard licensing law exempts:

• persons who perform private security guard duties for a private employer who is not in the private security guard business; and
• peace officers who are performing their official duties or who are engaged in off-duty employment as security guards.

Summary of Bill:

Guest services and crowd management employees who do not perform the duties of a security officer are exempt from the licensing regulation that applies to private security guards.

Rules Authority: The bill does not contain provisions addressing the rule-making powers of an agency.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.