Bill Text: NJ A3689 | 2012-2013 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Requires security guards who carry weapons to wear certain uniform, including identification card.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-01-14 - Reported out of Assembly Committee, 2nd Reading [A3689 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2012-A3689-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman CHARLES MAINOR
District 31 (Hudson)
SYNOPSIS
Requires security guards who carry weapons to wear certain uniform, including identification card.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning security officers and amending P.L.2004, c.134.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 6 of P.L.2004, c.134 (C.45:19A-6) is amended to read as follows:
6. a. The superintendent shall cause to be issued to a registered security officer an identification card containing such information as the superintendent shall prescribe. The identification card shall be at least three inches in length and three inches in width. The identification card shall incorporate appropriate security features.
b. A person who is issued an identification card pursuant to subsection a. of this section shall be responsible for its safekeeping and shall not lend, let or allow any other person to use, possess, exhibit or display the card.
c. No person shall use, possess, exhibit or display any license, card, shield or badge of any design or material purporting to authorize the holder or wearer to act as a security officer, unless such person holds a valid certificate of registration as a security officer pursuant to section 4 of this act.
d. If it is established to the satisfaction of the superintendent that an identification card has been lost or destroyed, the superintendent shall, upon payment of an appropriate fee, cause to be issued a duplicate identification card for the unexpired portion of the term of the registration.
e. Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a crime of the fourth degree in addition to any other crime or offense specified by law.
f. Any registered security officer who carries a weapon shall wear a full uniform while in the performance of the functions or activities of a security officer. The superintendent shall prescribe the requirements of the uniform. The identification card required under subsection a. of this section shall be attached to the outside of the uniform.
(cf: P.L.2004, c.134, s.6)
2. This act shall take effect on the first day of the seventh month after enactment, except that the superintendent may take, prior to the effective date, such anticipatory administrative action as shall be necessary for the implementation of this act.
STATEMENT
This bill would require the identification card issued to security guards to be at least three inches in length and three inches in width. This bill also would require security guards who carry weapons to wear a security guard uniform while performing authorized functions or activities. The security guard uniform would meet specifications established by the Superintendent of State Police. The identification card must be attached to the outside of the uniform.
Current law requires security guards employed by security guard companies to be registered with the State Police under the provisions of the "Security Officer Registration Act." The act requires applicants to be at least 18 years of age, complete an application, have no criminal history record, and pass a 24-hour State Police education and training program.
Registered security guards are issued an identification card by their employer signifying they are authorized to act as a security officer. Regulations require them to attach the identification card to the outside of their uniform while performing the functions of a security guard, except when doing so would compromise their safety. There is no current requirement that they wear a specific uniform, but they may not wear a uniform that might be confused with that of a law enforcement officer.
Under the bill, security guards who carry weapons would be required to wear a State Police approved uniform whenever they are performing security guard functions or activities. The uniform would include the three-by-three inch identification card.
