Generally revise professional occupation laws related to private security
SB 198 revises Montana’s private security occupation laws and updates the statutory definitions used in Title 37, chapter 60. The bill clarifies what counts as an “electronic security firm,” “private security guard,” and “security alarm installer,” and it narrows those definitions to focus on businesses and employees involved in security alarm systems that communicate with public safety agencies or answering points. It also expressly excludes locksmiths whose primary business is locksmithing, even if they install certain cameras or battery-operated door devices.
The bill’s broader effect is to modernize and clean up the regulatory framework for private security services, including private investigators, security firms, armed carrier services, and alarm installers. Although the enrolled text shown here primarily amends definitions in 37-60-101, the introduced version indicates the measure also removed licensing requirements for private security firms and guards and required fingerprint-based background checks for armed endorsements, suggesting a shift toward a revised licensing and screening structure for the industry. The act takes effect July 1, 2025.
Overall sentiment appears generally favorable, as the bill passed both chambers with comfortable majorities. It cleared the Senate on second and third reading by 43-7 and 42-8, and later received House concurrence on final readings by 56-43 and 57-41. Those margins indicate support for updating the law, though not unanimous agreement.
The main point of contention appears to have been the scope of deregulation and the balance between easing licensing burdens and maintaining public safety oversight. The introduced bill language suggests debate over removing license requirements for private security firms and guards while adding fingerprint-based background checks for armed endorsements. The House votes, which were closer than the Senate votes, suggest some lawmakers were concerned about reducing regulatory controls in a field tied to public safety and firearms.
SB 198 amends Montana Code Annotated section 37-60-101 and changes how private security-related occupations are defined under state law. It affects private security firms, private security guards, armed carrier services, electronic security firms, security alarm installers, locksmiths, and related licensing and endorsement processes administered by the Department of Labor and Industry. The bill also appears, from the introduced language, to alter licensing and background-check requirements for certain private security roles, thereby changing compliance obligations for businesses and workers in the private security industry.
The bill appears to have been viewed positively overall, with clear majority support in both the Senate and House. The Senate votes were strong, and the House ultimately concurred, though with noticeably narrower margins. That pattern suggests broad acceptance of the need to update private security statutes, tempered by some reservations about the regulatory changes involved.
The likely controversy centered on whether the bill reduced too much oversight of private security firms and guards while still protecting the public. Supporters likely favored simplifying and modernizing the licensing framework and clarifying definitions, while opponents may have worried about removing license requirements and the implications for safety, accountability, and firearms-related work. The closer House votes suggest the most disagreement was over the balance between industry flexibility and regulatory safeguards.