Bill 375

                    Current Status

Bill Number:               375
Ratification Number:       123
Act Number:                80
Introducing Body:          Senate
Subject:                        License and fees for private
                           detective and security agencies

(A80, R123, S375)

AN ACT TO REAUTHORIZE FOR SIX YEARS THE SOUTH CAROLINA PRIVATE DETECTIVE AND PRIVATE SECURITY AGENCIES ACT, TO AMEND SECTION 40-17-70, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO LICENSE AND ANNUAL RENEWAL FEES FOR OPERATING PRIVATE DETECTIVE AND SECURITY AGENCIES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE FEES MUST BE SET BY THE SOUTH CAROLINA LAW ENFORCEMENT DIVISION BY REGULATION, AND TO AMEND SECTION 40-17-100, RELATING TO EMPLOYERS HIRING SECURITY PERSONNEL FOR THEIR OWN ESTABLISHMENTS, SO AS TO RAISE THE ANNUAL REGISTRATION FEE FOR PERSONS SO EMPLOYED TO TWENTY-FIVE DOLLARS.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

Act reauthorized

SECTION 1. In accordance with the provisions of Section 7 of Act 608 of 1978, the South Carolina Private Detective and Private Security Agencies Act is reauthorized for six years.

Fee

SECTION 2. Subsections (b), (c), and (d) of Section 40-17-70 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Section 13D, Part II of Act 466 of 1982, are further amended to read:

"(b) The initial and annual renewal license fee for conducting a private detective business must be set by the Division by regulation.

(c) The initial and annual renewal license fee for conducting a private security business must be set by the Division by regulation.

(d) The initial and annual renewal license fee for conducting both a private detective business and a private security business must be set by the Division by regulation."

Information required to be submitted

SECTION 3. Subsection (b) of Section 40-17-100 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"(b) Any person or corporation licensed in accordance with subsection (a) shall within twenty days of the beginning of employment of a person in private security work furnish the Division with the name, photograph, fingerprints, and other information as required by the Division in order properly to register the employee with the Division. The Division shall furnish forms for registration and each person so registered shall pay an annual registration fee of twenty-five dollars. No person may be approved for employment who has been convicted of a felony or any crime involving moral turpitude that would tend to question his honesty or integrity, or who is an alcoholic, drifter, vagrant, or person with a record of mental illness, or who has been discharged from the military service under other than honorable conditions, or who has been refused a license under the provisions of this chapter for any reason except minimum experience, or whose license, having been granted, has been revoked or is under suspension. Upon being satisfied of the suitability of the applicant for employment, the Division shall register the employee and so notify the licensee. The licensee shall notify the Division within five days of the termination of employment of any registered employee. The Division may waive the submission of fingerprints and photographs for any employee who has been employed by a person licensed under this chapter within the previous six months. The registration is for one year and application for renewal must be on a form furnished by the Division."

Fees

SECTION 4. The fees established pursuant to Section 40-17-70 of the 1976 Code prior to the effective date of the amendment contained in Section 2 of this act shall continue in effect until the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division promulgates final regulations setting fees.

Time effective

SECTION 5. This act shall take effect upon approval by the Governor.