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 |
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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:
be at least eighteen 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 Director of the DOL (Director) determines that the applicant's particular crime directly relates to the applicant's capacity to perform the duties of a private security guard, and the Director determines that the license should be withheld to protect the Washington citizens;
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 Director;
submit a set of fingerprints;
pay the required nonrefundable fee for each application; and
submit a fully completed application that includes proper identification on a form prescribed by the Director for each company of employment.
To obtain an armed private security guard license, an applicant must meet the following minimum requirements:
be licensed as a private security guard;
be at least twenty-one years of age;
have a current firearms certificate issued by the Criminal Justice Training Commission; and
pay the fee established by the Director.
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:
possess three years' experience as a manager, supervisor, or administrator in the private security business or a related field, or be at least 21 years of age and pass an examination to measure the person's knowledge and competence in the private security business;
meet the insurance requirements; and
pay any additional fees established by the Director.
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.