House of Representatives

HB 2453

security guards; revisions; study committee

Sponsors: Representative Gray

X	Committee on Public Institutions & Rural Affairs
	Caucus and COW
	As Passed the House

HB 2453 makes various changes to statutes relating to private investigators and security guards.

History

Current law authorizes the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to regulate private investigators and security guards. The DPS director issues licenses; keeps records of licenses; investigates complaints; and maintains records relating to bonding and insurance policies. The DPS director is also head of the Private Investigator and Security Guard Hearing Board. The Board can conduct investigations and hearings relating to disciplinary actions or denial of licenses of private investigators and security guards.

Provisions

· Eliminates the provision that specifies that the three members that need to be present for a quorum at Private Investigator and Security Guard Hearing Board meetings shall be one certified peace officer, one qualifying licensed party and a public member.

· Clarifies that a uniformed armed security guard must have an identification card visibly displayed throughout the course of their employment.

· Clarifies that a security guard may not carry a firearm while on official duty unless the person is currently registered as an armed security guard and has been authorized by the employer.

· Increases the amount of firearms training for security guards from 12 to 16 hours.

· Requires the director of DPS to adopt rules for a firearms training curriculum.

· Stipulates that within 48 hours of a security guard’s arrest, a security guard must notify their employer and DPS of the arrest. Within 24 hours after receiving notification of the arrest, the employer must notify DPS.

· Establishes an 11 member Private Investigator and Security Guard Study Committee to examine issues affecting security guards and private investigators, including:

Ø standards for hiring and training

Ø uniform and insignia

Ø fees for license and registration

Ø the regulation of in-house security

Ø the problems and benefits of provisional certificates.

· Requires the study committee to submit a report of its findings by December 31, 2001 to various government officials.

· Repeals the study committee from and after December 31, 2001.

· Makes other technical and conforming changes.

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45th Legislature

First Regular Session 2 April 26, 2001

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