HB 640 -- PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS

CO-SPONSORS:  Johnson (90), Kreider

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on
Professional Registration and Licensing by a vote of 15 to 0.

This bill creates within the Department of Public Safety the
Board of Licensed Private Investigator Examiners.  No person
will provide private investigative services without first being
licensed.

The bill contains provisions which include the makeup and duties
of the board; exemptions from licensure; requirements for
application and licensure; providing proof of liability
insurance; training and written examinations; fees; conducting
background checks on applicants; denial, suspension, or
revocation of licenses; types and terms of licenses; and
reciprocity.

The bill allows licensees to disclose to the board any law
enforcement agency, prosecutor, or the licensee's own
representative any information regarding a criminal offense or
to instruct their client to do so if they are a victim of a
criminal act.  Licensees are prohibited from making false
reports, presenting themselves as a state or federal officer, or
manufacturing false evidence.  Certain identifying evidence must
be filed with the board by licensees.

The bill further requires private investigators or investigator
agencies to maintain complete records of business transactions.
Records may be confidentially examined by the authority of the
board under certain circumstances.

The bill contains penalty provisions.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Net Income to Various Board Funds of
$59,397 in FY 2002, $61,179 in FY 2003, and $63,014 in FY 2004.
Estimated Net Effect to General Revenue Fund of a cost of
$70,598 in FY 2002, an income of $614,125 in FY 2003, and a cost
of $255,765 in FY 2004.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill makes private
investigators more accountable to the public by imposing new
licensing, training, and liability standards.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Johnson (90);
Missouri Association of Private Investigators; Patrick McCarthy;
and Mickey Gitland.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Bob Dominique, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated November 26, 2001 at 11:45 am