House OKs temporary permits for alarm-company call-center staff after initial background check

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah House passed a second substitute of House Bill 320 on March 5 to address hiring delays in the alarm industry by creating a temporary permit process for call-center employees.

Representative Harrold, sponsor of the amendment, told colleagues that the alarm industry includes two primary types of workers: field technicians (sales or installation) and call‑center staff. Under the new provision, if a prospective call‑center employee passes the state Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) background check, the employer may issue a temporary permit allowing the employee to work in the call center while the vendor fingerprinting and FBI check continue.

Harrold said the change is intended to speed hiring for call centers, where extended background-check waiting times (two to four months in committee testimony) have caused turnover. He emphasized that the temporary permit applies only to call‑center duties; the bill penalizes companies that allow temporarily permitted employees to perform fieldwork in customers' homes.

Representative Selig asked about safeguards to protect homeowners’ private data; the sponsor pointed to the BCI screen and penalty provisions in the bill. Representative Duckworth opposed the bill on privacy grounds, arguing temporary permits do not tie the employee to the hiring company and that call-center staff could move to fieldwork and exploit access to customer information.

The House voted to pass the second substitute HB320 with 52 yes and 17 no. The measure will be transmitted to the Senate.