Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Consumer Protection & Business Committee

SSB 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.

Brief Description: Licensing security guards.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Labor & Commerce (originally sponsored by Senators Holy and Pedersen).

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

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

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

Hearing Date: 2/25/20

Staff: Serena Dolly (786-7150).

Background:

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

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

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:

After receiving a license application for a private security guard, armed private security guard, or private security company, the Director must conduct an investigation that includes a national criminal history records check for the applicant and a request for comments from the chief law enforcement officer of the city or county where the employer is located.

Summary of Bill:

The license fee for an armed private security guard license must be clearly itemized on each application and renewal form. The Director must conduct an investigation of each applicant, including a national criminal history records check, at each license renewal.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

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