SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6098

As Reported by Senate Committee On:

Labor, Commerce & Consumer Protection, January 17, 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: Labor, Commerce & Consumer Protection: 1/16/12, 1/17/12 [DP].

Majority Report: Do pass.

Signed by Senators Kohl-Welles, Chair; Conway, Vice Chair; Holmquist Newbry, Ranking Minority Member; King, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Keiser and Kline.

Staff: Ingrid Mungia (786-7423)

Background: The Department of Licensing (Department) regulates certain businesses and professions. Each regulated business and profession has a separate set of laws.

Private Investigator. Private Investigators and private investigator agencies are regulated by the Department. A private investigator means a individual who is licensed by the Department and is employed as by a private investigator agency for the purpose of investigations, escort or body guard services, or property loss prevention activities. A private investigator agency is a licensed person or entity engaged in the business of detecting, discovering, or revealing information. To obtain a private investigator license, an applicant must:

• be at least 18 years of age;

• be a citizen of the United States or a resident alien;

• not have been convicted of a crime in any jurisdiction, if the Department determines that the applicant's particular crime directly relates to the applicant's capacity to perform the duties of a private investigator;

• be employed by or have an employment offer from a licensed private investigator or be licensed as a private investigator agency;

• satisfy the training requirements established by the Department;

• submit a set of fingerprints;

• pay the required fee; and

• submit a fully completed application for each company of employment.

Private Security Guard. Private security guards and private security companies are regulated by the Department. A private security guard means an individual who is licensed by the Department and is principally employed as a security officer or guard, a patrol or merchant patrol service officer or guard, an armed escort or bodyguard, an armored vehicle guard, a burglar alarm response runner, or a crowd control officer or guard. A private security company is a licensed person or entity engaged in the business of providing the services of private security guards on a contractual basis. To obtain a private security guard license, an applicant must:

• be at least 18 years of age;

• be a citizen of the United States or a resident alien;

• not have been convicted of a crime in any jurisdiction, if the Department determines that the applicant's particular crime directly relates to the applicant's capacity to perform the duties of a private security guard;

• be employed by or have an employment offer from a licensed private security company or be licensed as a private security company;

• satisfy the training requirements established by the Department;

• submit a set of fingerprints;

• pay the required fee; and

• submit a fully completed application for each company of employment.

Summary of Bill: If an applicant for a private investigator license or a private security guard license has already been issued a license as a private security guard or a private investigator within the last 12 months, the applicant is not required to submit to a separate background check to become licensed.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This bill saves time and money for individuals and small businesses. It is a good step forward and will streamline the licensing process. This bill will save the state some money. It will also make the transition from one profession to another easier and faster.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Rolfes, prime sponsor; Tony Sermonti, Department of Licensing; John Tost, Pacific Northwest Assn. of Private Investigators; Larry Walsh, Bayside Professional Investigations.