Security Guard Employers - Regulation and Certification - Exemption for Video Lottery Operator and Sports Wagering Facility Licensees
Summary
SB1002 narrows the definition of “security guard employer” under Maryland’s security guard licensing and certification laws. Under current law, a person that employs security guards solely to provide security services to itself can be treated as a security guard employer and, in some cases, must ensure those guards are certified by the Secretary of State Police. This bill would amend that definition to expressly exclude video lottery operators and sports wagering facility licensees from being treated as security guard employers for purposes of Title 19 of the Business Occupations and Professions Article.
The bill does not change the general licensing framework for security guard agencies or the certification requirements for security guards, but it removes these two categories of gaming licensees from a specific regulatory category that can trigger those requirements. It also leaves intact the separate gaming-law provisions governing video lottery employees and sports wagering licensees. The act would take effect July 1, 2025.
Impact
SB1002 would amend the Business Occupations and Professions Article to carve video lottery operators and sports wagering facility licensees out of the statutory definition of “security guard employer.” As a result, those gaming businesses would no longer be subject to the security-guard-employer certification provisions that apply to entities employing guards only for their own security needs, while the broader regulation of security guard agencies and certified security guards would remain unchanged. The bill does not alter the State Government Article provisions governing video lottery employee licensing or sports wagering licensee requirements.
Sentiment
There is no recorded committee transcript or vote history in the provided materials, so no direct public debate or recorded floor sentiment is available. Based on the bill text alone, the measure appears targeted and technical rather than controversial, suggesting a narrow regulatory clarification aimed at gaming licensees and the State Police licensing framework.
Contention
The main policy issue is whether video lottery operators and sports wagering facility licensees should continue to be treated like ordinary security guard employers when they hire guards for on-site security. Supporters would likely view the bill as a clarification that aligns security regulation with the gaming industry’s existing licensing structure, while any opposition would likely focus on whether the exemption reduces oversight or creates a special carve-out for gaming businesses. No specific opposing arguments are documented in the provided record.