SB 616 Effective: September 1, 2019
Summary of changes relating to Private Security:
- Creates new Subchapters Q and R, to Chapter 411, Government Code. These subchapters address the administration of complaints; investigations; informal resolution proceedings; administrative actions against licensees and related procedures.
- Requires the development of penalty schedules and enforcement plans, and the publication of an annual report of regulatory statistics.
- Changes references to 'the board' to either 'the department' or to 'the Public Safety Commission'.
- Reconstitutes the private security board.
- Creates a private security advisory committee whose members are appointed by the Public Safety Commission.
- Defines the duties of the private security advisory committee.
- Defines company and individual licenses (removes the terminology, registrations and endorsements).
- Eliminates the licensing/registration requirements for the following:
Qualified Manager, Supervisor, Alarm Salesperson, Security Salesperson, Security Consultant, Branch Office Manager, Employee of a License Holder (as defined by Tex. Occ. Code Chapter 1702 §228 — since removed from statute ), Guard Dog Trainer, Security Consulting Company, Guard Dog Company and Branch Office
- Removes Private Business Letter of Authority, Government Letter of Authority, and Telematics Company from the classification and limitation of company license listing (1702 §103).
- Eliminates the requirement that Telematics pay the annual fee of $2,500.
- Eliminates the requirement business register a qualified manager.
- Requires the applicant for a company license have the required experience in the category of business licensure and take the examination.
- Directs DPS to create a registry relating to Private Businesses and Political Subdivisions that employ commissioned security officers.
- Repeals Subchapter Q of Chapter 1702, Occupations Code, regarding the procedures for appeal of administrative actions.
- Sets the expiration date for Alarm Salesperson, Security Salesperson, Private Security Consultant, Guard Dog Trainer, Guard Dog Company, and Private Security Consulting Company to September 1, 2019.
HB 1342 Effective: September 1, 2019
Caption: Relating to the consequences of a criminal conviction on a person's eligibility for an occupational license.
- This bill amends several provisions of Occupations Code Chapter 53 relating to the offenses determined by a licensing agency to be disqualifying and the procedures by which a licensing agency may deny an application or suspend or revoke an occupational license.
- Repeals Section 53 §021(a)(2), Occupations Code, eliminating the authority to deny, suspend or revoke for a criminal conviction that does not relate to the occupation.
- Adds new Section 53 §0231, requiring notice of the intent to deny an application and the allowance of not less than thirty days to submit additional material relevant to the individual's fitness for licensure.
- Repeals Section 53 §023(c), Additional Factors for Licensing Authority to Consider.
HB 4195 Effective: September 1, 2019
Caption: Relating to photographs on certain state-issued identification cards.
- Removes the requirement which requires the photograph on a Private Security pocket card be in color.
SB 37 Effective: June 7, 2019
Caption: Relating to a prohibition on the use of student loan default or breach of a student loan repayment or scholarship contract as a ground for refusal to grant or renew an occupational license or other disciplinary action in relation to an occupational license.
- Repeals Sec. 57 §491 of the Education Code. State agencies may no longer refuse to renew an occupational license based on a student loan.