ASSEMBLY CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND REGULATED PROFESSIONS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR

ASSEMBLY, No. 994

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: NOVEMBER 17, 1997

      The Assembly Consumer Affairs and Regulated Professions Committee reports favorably the Assembly Committee Substitute for Assembly Bill No. 994.

      This bill provides for the licensing and regulation of locksmiths, burglar alarm, fire alarm, and electronic security businesses by the Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors and a fifteen-member "Fire Alarm, Burglar Alarm and Locksmith Advisory Committee" under the board's jurisdiction. Under the bill, the board is given certain powers and duties to regulate licensees, based upon the committee's recommendations; or, the board may delegate these powers to the committee. These powers include setting standards for examinations; determining requirements for licensure; adopting a code of ethics and continuing education standards and requirements; disciplining licensees pursuant to the uniform enforcement act, P.L.1978, c.73 (C.45:1-14 et seq.); and developing regulations regarding license and examination fees, record keeping and the form and content of applications, licenses and identification cards.

      Licensees and their employees are required to submit their fingerprints and photographs to the Division of State Police for the purpose of obtaining criminal history background checks. Electrical contractors, telephone utility and cable television companies are exempt from licensure.