HB 65 – AS INTRODUCED

2011 SESSION

11-0498

10/05

HOUSE BILL 65

AN ACT relative to the advisory board on private investigative agencies and security services, and firearms proficiency for armed security guards, private investigators, and bail enforcement agents.

SPONSORS: Rep. Ulery, Hills 27; Sen. Carson, Dist 14

COMMITTEE: Criminal Justice and Public Safety

ANALYSIS

This bill clarifies the membership of the advisory board to review complaints and licensing issues relative to private investigative agencies and security services. The bill also limits the requirement for firearms proficiency of security guards, private investigators, and bail enforcement agents to those persons holding themselves out as providing armed services.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

11-0498

10/05

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Eleven

AN ACT relative to the advisory board on private investigative agencies and security services, and firearms proficiency for armed security guards, private investigators, and bail enforcement agents.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 Private Investigative Agencies, Bail Enforcement Agencies, and Security Services; Advisory Board; Membership. Amend RSA 106-F:3-a, II(a) to read as follows:

(a) Three members licensed by the department in New Hampshire [as investigators and who], one of whom is a private investigator, one of whom is a security guard, and one of whom is a bail enforcement agent, provided each of whom have been so licensed for the last 5 years, and provided at least one of whom shall be engaged in the practice of [accident reconstruction or the practice of] bail recovery.

2 Firearm Proficiency. Amend RSA 106-F:8-a to read as follows:

106-F:8-a Firearm Proficiency. The following requirements shall apply to persons licensed under this chapter who advertise or hold themselves out to the public as providing armed security guard, armed private investigator, or armed bail enforcement agent services, provided this shall not prevent the ability of any person licensed under this chapter from owning firearms for personal protection:

I. All armed security guards, armed private investigators, and armed bail enforcement agents shall meet minimum requirements in the proficiency in the use of firearms at least once per year. The requirements shall be as follows:

(a) The practical police course or the tactical revolver course, with a minimum qualification score of 75 percent.

(b) Shotgun familiarization course required for all security officers and bail enforcement agents whose employers issue, or have as part of their equipment, shotguns.

(c) Four hours of instruction, to include firearms techniques and safety, laws on the use of deadly force, and the moral and ethical use of force. Only qualified firearms instructors shall be used to certify the successful completion of the requirements.

II. Individuals shall be considered for qualification if they successfully complete one of the following courses:

(a) Police standards and training council firearms instructor school;

(b) F.B.I. firearms instructor school;

(c) Smith & Wesson or SIG Sauer firearms instructor school;

(d) National Rifle Association police firearms instructor course;

(e) Equivalent courses as determined by the commissioner of safety on an individual basis.

3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.