83R16780 SLB-F
 
  By: Fletcher, et al. H.B. No. 75
 
  Substitute the following for H.B. No. 75:
 
  By:  Sheets C.S.H.B. No. 75
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the regulation of certain private security companies
  and occupations.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 1702.002, Occupations Code, is amended
  by amending Subdivisions (1) and (6-a) and adding Subdivisions (4),
  (4-a), and (4-b) to read as follows:
               (1)  "Alarm system" means:
                     (A)  electronic equipment and devices designed to
  detect or signal:
                           (i)  an unauthorized entry or attempted
  entry of a person or object into a residence, business, or area
  monitored by the system; or
                           (ii)  the occurrence of a robbery or other
  emergency; or
                     (B)  electronic equipment and devices using a
  computer or data processor designed to control the access of a
  person, vehicle, or object through a door, gate, or entrance into
  the controlled area of a residence or business[; or
                     [(C)     a television camera or still camera system
  that:
                           [(i)     records or archives images of property
  or individuals in a public or private area of a residence or
  business; or
                           [(ii)     is monitored by security personnel or
  services].
               (4)  "Camera systems company" means a person who
  performs the activities described by Section 1702.1057.
               (4-a)  "Closed circuit television or still camera
  system" means a device or system of devices that:
                     (A)  records or transmits, including transmission
  by an intranet or Internet device, an image or series of images for
  the purpose of security or surveillance; or
                     (B)  is monitored by security personnel or an
  alarm systems monitor for the purposes of security or surveillance.
               (4-b)  For purposes of Subdivision (4-a), the term
  "closed circuit television or still camera system" does not include
  a device or system of devices that is used exclusively:
                     (A)  to view or monitor traffic conditions on
  public roads;
                     (B)  to detect motor vehicle violations on public
  roads;
                     (C)  for telephone or video conferencing;
                     (D)  to monitor a manufacturing process;
                     (E)  for a medical purpose by medical
  practitioners;
                     (F)  by a courtroom reporter for recording or
  archiving depositions or testimony;
                     (G)  in the course of an ongoing investigation,
  when installed by and remaining under the control of a licensed
  investigations company; or
                     (H)  by a law enforcement agency to monitor
  criminal activity.
               (6-a)  "Electronic access control device" means an
  electronic, electrical, or computer-based device, including a
  telephone entry system, that allows access to a controlled area [of
  a business,] but that is not monitored by security personnel or
  services and does not send a signal to which law enforcement or
  emergency services respond.  The term does not include:
                     (A)  a mechanical device, such as a deadbolt or
  lock; or
                     (B)  an operator for opening or closing a
  commercial gate or door or an accessory, such as a fixed or portable
  transmitter, card-reader, or keypad, if the operator or accessory
  is used only to activate the gate or door and is not connected to an
  alarm system.
         SECTION 2.  Section 1702.102(a), Occupations Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  Unless the person holds a license as a security services
  contractor, a person may not:
               (1)  act as an alarm systems company, armored car
  company, camera systems company, courier company, guard company,
  guard dog company, locksmith company, or private security
  consultant company;
               (2)  offer to perform the services of a company in
  Subdivision (1); or
               (3)  engage in business activity for which a license is
  required under this chapter.
         SECTION 3.  Section 1702.105, Occupations Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         Sec. 1702.105.  ALARM SYSTEMS COMPANY.  (a)  A person acts as
  an alarm systems company for the purposes of this chapter if the
  person sells, installs, services, monitors, or responds to an alarm
  system or detection device.
         (b)  An alarm systems company may sell, install, maintain, or
  service, or offer to sell, install, maintain, or service, an
  electronic access control device or a lock that is capable of
  activation through a wireless signal.
         SECTION 4.  Subchapter F, Chapter 1702, Occupations Code, is
  amended by adding Section 1702.1057 to read as follows:
         Sec. 1702.1057.  CAMERA SYSTEMS COMPANY. A person acts as a
  camera systems company for purposes of this chapter if the person:
               (1)  sells, installs, or services a closed circuit
  television or still camera system; or
               (2)  offers to perform a service described by
  Subdivision (1).
         SECTION 5.  Section 1702.221(b), Occupations Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (b)  An individual must obtain the appropriate endorsement
  in accordance with the requirements of this chapter and related
  administrative rules if the individual:
               (1)  is employed as:
                     (A)  an alarm instructor;
                     (B)  an alarm systems installer;
                     (C)  an alarm systems monitor;
                     (D)  an electronic access control device
  installer;
                     (E)  a level 3 classroom or firearm instructor;
                     (F)  a locksmith;
                     (G)  a dog trainer;
                     (H)  a manager or branch office manager;
                     (I)  a noncommissioned security officer;
                     (J)  a level 4 personal protection instructor;
                     (K)  a private investigator;
                     (L)  a private security consultant;
                     (M)  a security salesperson; [or]
                     (N)  a camera systems installer; or
                     (O)  an individual whose duties include
  performing another activity for which an endorsement is required
  under Subsection (e); or
               (2)  is an owner who oversees the security-related
  aspects of the business, officer, partner, or shareholder of a
  license holder.
         SECTION 6.  Subchapter J, Chapter 1702, Occupations Code, is
  amended by adding Section 1702.2228 to read as follows:
         Sec. 1702.2228.  CAMERA SYSTEMS INSTALLER.  An individual
  acts as a camera systems installer for purposes of this chapter if
  the individual:
               (1)  installs, maintains, or repairs a closed circuit
  television or still camera system; or
               (2)  advertises or offers the services under
  Subdivision (1) to the public or represents to the public that the
  person is a camera systems installer.
         SECTION 7.  Section 1702.223(b), Occupations Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (b)  An alarm systems installer may sell, install, maintain,
  [or] repair, or service an electronic access control device or a
  lock that is capable of activation through a wireless signal.
         SECTION 8.  Section 1702.224(a), Occupations Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  An individual acts as an alarm systems monitor for
  purposes of this chapter if the individual monitors an alarm
  system, closed circuit television or still camera system, or
  detection device.
         SECTION 9.  Section 1702.288, Occupations Code, is amended
  by adding Subsection (f) to read as follows:
         (f)  A license holder acting as an alarm systems company does
  not have to provide the notice required under Subsection (d) if the
  contact information, including the address and the telephone
  numbers for the alarm systems company, has not changed.
         SECTION 10.  Section 1702.324(b), Occupations Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (b)  This chapter does not apply to:
               (1)  a manufacturer or a manufacturer's authorized
  distributor while selling equipment intended for resale;
               (2)  a person engaged exclusively in the business of
  obtaining and providing information to:
                     (A)  determine creditworthiness;
                     (B)  collect debts; or
                     (C)  ascertain the reliability of information
  provided by an applicant for property, life, or disability
  insurance or an indemnity or surety bond;
               (3)  a person engaged exclusively in the business of
  repossessing property that is secured by a mortgage or other
  security interest;
               (4)  a person who is engaged in the business of
  psychological testing or other testing and interviewing services,
  including services to determine attitudes, honesty, intelligence,
  personality, and skills, for preemployment purposes;
               (5)  a person who:
                     (A)  is engaged in obtaining information that is a
  public record under Chapter 552, Government Code, regardless of
  whether the person receives compensation;
                     (B)  is not a full-time employee, as defined by
  Section 61.001, Labor Code, of a person licensed under this
  chapter; and
                     (C)  does not perform any other act that requires
  a license under this chapter;
               (6)  a licensed engineer practicing engineering or
  directly supervising engineering practice under Chapter 1001,
  including forensic analysis, burglar alarm system engineering, and
  necessary data collection;
               (7)  an employee of a cattle association who inspects
  livestock brands under the authority granted to the cattle
  association by the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards
  Administration of the United States Department of Agriculture;
               (8)  a landman performing activities in the course and
  scope of the landman's business;
               (9)  an attorney while engaged in the practice of law;
               (10)  a person who obtains a document for use in
  litigation under an authorization or subpoena issued for a written
  or oral deposition;
               (11)  an admitted insurer, insurance adjuster, agent,
  or insurance broker licensed by the state, performing duties in
  connection with insurance transacted by that person;
               (12)  a person who on the person's own property or on
  property owned or managed by the person's employer:
                     (A)  installs, changes, or repairs a:
                           (i)  mechanical security device; or
                           (ii)  closed circuit television or still
  camera system;
                     (B)  repairs an electronic security device; or
                     (C)  cuts or makes a key for a security device;
               (13)  security personnel, including security contract
  personnel, working at a commercial nuclear power plant licensed by
  the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission;
               (14)  a person or firm licensed as an accountant or
  accounting firm under Chapter 901, an owner of an accounting firm,
  or an employee of an accountant or accounting firm while performing
  services regulated under Chapter 901;
               (15)  a retailer, wholesaler, or other person who sells
  mechanical security devices, including locks and deadbolts, but who
  does not:
                     (A)  service mechanical security devices for the
  public outside of the person's premises; or
                     (B)  claim to act as a locksmith;
               (16)  an employee while performing investigative
  services that would otherwise be subject to this chapter for an
  entity regulated by the:
                     (A)  Texas Department of Insurance;
                     (B)  Office of Thrift Supervision;
                     (C)  Securities and Exchange Commission;
                     (D)  Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; or
                     (E)  Financial Industry Regulatory Authority;
  [or]
               (17)  a social worker who holds a license issued under
  Chapter 505 who is engaged in the practice of social work; or
               (18)  a retailer, wholesaler, or other person who sells
  closed circuit television or still camera systems who does not:
                     (A)  install or service closed circuit television
  or still camera systems for the public outside of the person's
  premises; or
                     (B)  claim to act as a camera systems company.
         SECTION 11.  Section 1702.328, Occupations Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         Sec. 1702.328.  SECURITY SYSTEMS SALES AND INSTALLATION
  EXEMPTIONS. This chapter does not apply to:
               (1)  a person who owns and installs a burglar detection
  or alarm device or closed circuit television or still camera system
  on the person's own property or[, if the person does not charge for
  the device or the installation,] installs the system or device for
  the protection of the person's personal property located on another
  person's property and does not, as a normal business practice,
  install the systems or devices on the property of another, and who
  does not perform any other act that requires a license under this
  chapter;
               (2)  a person in the business of building construction
  that installs electrical wiring and devices that may include in
  part the installation of a burglar alarm or detection device or
  closed circuit television or still camera system if:
                     (A)  the person is a party to a contract that
  provides that:
                           (i)  the installation will be performed,
  [under the direct supervision of, and] inspected, and certified
  by[,] a person licensed to install and certify the alarm or
  detection device or closed circuit television or still camera
  system; and
                           (ii)  the license holder assumes full
  responsibility for the installation of the system [alarm] or
  [detection] device; and
                     (B)  the person does not service or maintain alarm
  systems, electronic access control devices, locks, closed circuit
  television or still camera systems, or detection devices;
               (3)  a person who sells or installs automobile burglar
  alarm devices and who does not perform any other act that requires a
  license under this chapter; [or]
               (4)  a person who sells exclusively by e-commerce, over
  the counter transactions, or mail order, alarm systems, electronic
  access control devices, locks, closed circuit television or still
  camera systems, or detection devices and who does not perform any
  other act that requires a license under this chapter; or
               (5)  a local governmental entity that installs or has a
  licensed contractor install a closed circuit television or still
  camera system for purposes of public safety.
         SECTION 12.  (a)  The changes in law made by this Act to
  Chapter 1702, Occupations Code, apply only to an application for an
  original or renewal license, registration, or endorsement
  submitted to the Texas Private Security Board on or after January 1,
  2014.  An application submitted before January 1, 2014, is governed
  by the law in effect immediately before the effective date of this
  Act, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
         (b)  The Texas Private Security Board shall adopt rules to
  implement the changes in law made by this Act not later than January
  1, 2014. A person is not required to obtain a registration or
  endorsement under Section 1702.2228, Occupations Code, as added by
  this Act, before January 1, 2014.
         SECTION 13.  This Act takes effect immediately if it
  receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each
  house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  
  If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate
  effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2013.