|  | 
      
        |  | 
      
        |  | A BILL TO BE ENTITLED | 
      
        |  | AN ACT | 
      
        |  | relating to the regulation of certain private security companies | 
      
        |  | and occupations; expanding the applicability of an occupational | 
      
        |  | license. | 
      
        |  | 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 purposes 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)  "Closed circuit television or still camera | 
      
        |  | system" does not include: | 
      
        |  | (A)  a device or system of devices that is used | 
      
        |  | exclusively: | 
      
        |  | (i)  to view or monitor traffic conditions | 
      
        |  | on public roads; | 
      
        |  | (ii)  to detect motor vehicle violations on | 
      
        |  | public roads; | 
      
        |  | (iii)  for telephone or video conferencing; | 
      
        |  | (iv)  to monitor a manufacturing process; | 
      
        |  | (v)  for a medical purpose by medical | 
      
        |  | practitioners; | 
      
        |  | (vi)  by a courtroom reporter for recording | 
      
        |  | or archiving depositions or testimony; | 
      
        |  | (vii)  in the course of an ongoing | 
      
        |  | investigation, when installed by and remaining under the control of | 
      
        |  | a licensed investigations company; | 
      
        |  | (viii)  by a law enforcement agency to | 
      
        |  | monitor criminal activity; or | 
      
        |  | (ix)  for any purpose other than for the | 
      
        |  | purposes of security or surveillance; and | 
      
        |  | (B)  a camera used for videoconferencing that is | 
      
        |  | integrated or attached to: | 
      
        |  | (i)  a wireless communication device capable | 
      
        |  | of using a commercial mobile service as defined by 47 U.S.C. Section | 
      
        |  | 332; | 
      
        |  | (ii)  computer equipment, as defined by | 
      
        |  | Section 361.952, Health and Safety Code; or | 
      
        |  | (iii)  a television, as defined by Section | 
      
        |  | 361.952, Health and Safety Code. | 
      
        |  | (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.  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)  installs, services at the place of installation, | 
      
        |  | or sells a closed circuit television or still camera system for a | 
      
        |  | fee; or | 
      
        |  | (2)  offers to perform a service described by | 
      
        |  | Subdivision (1) for a fee. | 
      
        |  | SECTION 4.  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 5.  Subchapter J, Chapter 1702, Occupations Code, is | 
      
        |  | amended by adding Section 1702.2228 to read as follows: | 
      
        |  | Sec. 1702.2228.  CAMERA SYSTEMS INSTALLER.  (a)  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 for a fee; | 
      
        |  | (2)  offers the services described by Subdivision (1) | 
      
        |  | to the public for a fee; or | 
      
        |  | (3)  advertises the services under Subdivision (1) to | 
      
        |  | the public or represents to the public that the person is a camera | 
      
        |  | systems installer. | 
      
        |  | (b)  An individual does not act as a camera systems installer | 
      
        |  | for purposes of this chapter if the individual is mounting or | 
      
        |  | positioning hardware for a closed circuit television or still | 
      
        |  | camera system or connecting that hardware to an electrical outlet | 
      
        |  | and the individual: | 
      
        |  | (1)  accomplishes those activities without activation | 
      
        |  | of or access to the recording or transmitting functions of the | 
      
        |  | closed circuit television or still camera system; | 
      
        |  | (2)  performs those activities at a premises where the | 
      
        |  | closed circuit television or still camera system is not connected | 
      
        |  | to a separate dedicated recording device; | 
      
        |  | (3)  performs those activities for a fee; | 
      
        |  | (4)  has been subjected to a local and national | 
      
        |  | background check within the year preceding the date of the | 
      
        |  | installation that demonstrated that the individual has not been | 
      
        |  | previously convicted of a sexual offense or any category of a | 
      
        |  | criminal offense greater than a Class B misdemeanor; and | 
      
        |  | (5)  provides verification, either personally or | 
      
        |  | through the entity for whom the individual is acting as an agent, | 
      
        |  | that the background check under Subdivision (4) demonstrates that | 
      
        |  | the individual who performs the activities has not been previously | 
      
        |  | convicted of a sexual offense or any category of a criminal offense | 
      
        |  | greater than a Class B misdemeanor on request of the owner or tenant | 
      
        |  | of the residence or business location where the individual performs | 
      
        |  | the installation activities. | 
      
        |  | SECTION 6.  Section 1702.223, Occupations Code, is amended | 
      
        |  | by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows: | 
      
        |  | (c)  An alarm systems installer may sell, install, maintain, | 
      
        |  | repair, or service a closed circuit television or still camera | 
      
        |  | system. | 
      
        |  | SECTION 7.  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 8.  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 a | 
      
        |  | federally insured financial institution or 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 | 
      
        |  | (C) [ (E)]  Financial Industry Regulatory | 
      
        |  | Authority; | 
      
        |  | (17)  a social worker who holds a license issued under | 
      
        |  | Chapter 505 who is engaged in the practice of social work; | 
      
        |  | (18)  persons licensed under Chapter 1101, an | 
      
        |  | association thereof, their authorized agents, or a multiple listing | 
      
        |  | service, engaged in the business of selling, maintaining, | 
      
        |  | repairing, programming, or placing lockboxes used for accessing | 
      
        |  | real property; [ or] | 
      
        |  | (19)  an automobile club that holds a certificate of | 
      
        |  | authority under Chapter 722, Transportation Code, its | 
      
        |  | subcontractor, or a business that provides similar services, that | 
      
        |  | unlocks a vehicle at the request of the owner or operator of the | 
      
        |  | vehicle and that does not otherwise perform a locksmith service; or | 
      
        |  | (20)  a retailer, wholesaler, or other person who sells | 
      
        |  | closed circuit television or still camera systems and does not: | 
      
        |  | (A)  install or service closed circuit television | 
      
        |  | or still camera systems for the public outside the person's | 
      
        |  | premises; or | 
      
        |  | (B)  claim to act as a camera systems company. | 
      
        |  | SECTION 9.  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 a 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 a | 
      
        |  | 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; 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 10.  (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, | 
      
        |  | 2016.  An application submitted before January 1, 2016, is governed | 
      
        |  | by the law in effect on the date the application was submitted, 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, 2016.  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, 2016. | 
      
        |  | SECTION 11.  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, 2015. |