Committee advances Commerce bill clarifying private-security registration, uniforms and renewals

Representative Garrett, presenting an administration bill dealing with the Department of Commerce and Insurance, told the committee the measure clarifies exemptions and updates training and registration requirements for private protective services. He said the bill "deals with the requirements as it relates to uniforms for security officers that are also police officer[s]," and added it "also updates notification requirements for criminal arrest citations or convictions" and creates a two-year renewal cycle for proprietary security organizations.

Committee members pressed the sponsor on whether off-duty law-enforcement officers could wear their official uniforms while working a second, private job. Garrett corrected an earlier misstatement on the record, saying officers may wear their law-enforcement uniforms for a second job if their primary employer permits it, but he emphasized employers in the private role could require proprietary security uniforms. Chairman Clemens and other members raised perception and jurisdictional concerns; the sponsor noted that outside an officer's jurisdiction they would generally need to coordinate with local law enforcement.

After discussion the committee voted to send HB2528 to the Finance Committee (recorded as 18 ayes, 3 nays).