HOUSE BILL REPORT

SB 6098

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 Passed House:

March 1, 2012

Title: An act relating to fingerprinting requirements for licensing of private investigators and private security guards.

Brief Description: Revising fingerprinting requirements for licensing of private investigators and private security guards.

Sponsors: Senators Rolfes, Hargrove, Fain and Kohl-Welles.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Business & Financial Services: 2/17/12, 2/21/12 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 3/1/12, 96-0.

Brief Summary of Bill

Permits an applicant to obtain a private investigator license without submitting fingerprints for a background check if the applicant was licensed as a private security guard in the last 12 months.
Permits an applicant to obtain a private security guard license without submitting fingerprints for a background check if the applicant was licensed as a private investigator in the last 12 months.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS & FINANCIAL SERVICES

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 12 members: Representatives Kirby, Chair; Kelley, Vice Chair; Bailey, Ranking Minority Member; Buys, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Condotta, Hudgins, Hurst, Kretz, Pedersen, Rivers, Ryu and Stanford.

Staff: Alexa Silver (786-7190).

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.

The Department investigates whether the facts in an application are true and conducts a criminal history background check through the Washington State Patrol. The Department may require that fingerprint cards be periodically reprocessed to identify criminal convictions that occur after registration.

Summary of Bill:

An applicant for a private investigator license is not required to undergo a background check if he or she was issued a license as a private security guard within the last 12 months. An applicant for a private security guard license is not required to undergo a background check if he or she was issued a license as a private investigator within the last 12 months.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) This bill eliminates a duplicative process that impacts a limited number of businesses that perform both private investigator and private security guard services. It is a small business issue that affects military retirees who operate small security companies.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Senator Rolfes, prime sponsor.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.