Requires security guards to have training regarding sex offenses

2 Co-sponsors

• Ruben Diaz
• John L. Sampson

Title of bill

An act to amend the general business law, in relation to training requirements regarding sex offenses for security guards

Summary of provisions

Amends the general business law by adding a new paragraph b-l to subdivision 1 of section 89-n, the Security Guard Act, to require a twelve hour sex offense training course, a component of which shall concentrate on an appropriate response to victims of such offenses.

Justification

In 1991, the Senate Democratic Task Force on Women's Issues held public hearings in Albany, Rochester, Buffalo, and Westchester on the issues of campus crime with a special focus on crimes against women. Testimony from these hearings demonstrated that schools have not adequately communicated that crime and violence against women on college campuses will not be tolerated.

Recent federal reports indicated that private security is clearly the nation's primary protective source, outspending public law enforcement by seventy three percent. The Legislature, in 1993, found that the proper screening, training and hiring of security guards is a matter of state concern and that there is a compelling state interest to ensure that such security guards meet minimum recruitment and training standards as this industry, and the demands placed upon it, grows daily. The legislature declared that because of the large number of unregulated and unlicensed security guards who may lack sufficient training and their nexus to the general public, the state should establish uniform standards for the employment, training, enforcement and liability insurance coverage of security guards and the security guard industry within the state.

By establishing the Security Guard Act of 1993, the legislature required the standardization of security guards and security guard companies within New York State.

This proposed legislation provides for the requirement of additional sex offense training, which will concentrate on the appropriate response to victims of such offenses. There is a need for additional training. SUNY security guards, for example, currently complete only three hours of sex offense training. Students and other interested parties from around the state suggest that more training is warranted. Recent incidents around the State suggest that additional training for all types of security guards would be beneficial. The nature of sex offenses are also so unique that security guards at the scene of rape, for instance, should respond appropriately and sensitively to the victim. Victims should also be encouraged to report such crimes and assisted in receiving counseling services, whether or not the crime is reported to local police authorities. This training would be valuable for all security guards.

Fiscal implications

EFFECTIVE DATE : This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after which it shall become a law.