NEW TEXAS LAW AIDS BUSINESS and HOME
SECURITY
A new Texas law went into effect on January 1, 2005 that can
directly affect you.
For the first time in Texas history, anyone who charges a fee to
work on customers’ locks or other security devices, unlocks
vehicles or unlocks buildings, or who advertises that they do so
anywhere in Texas must be officially licensed. Licenses are being
issued through the State of Texas, Department of Public Security
(DPS), Private Security Bureau (PSB) and include all locksmiths,
security guards, road-service vendors, tow truck drivers, and
anyone sub-contracted by road-service companies, home or commercial
building contractors, etc., to perform locksmith-related work.
This means the person you call on to make a replacement set of
keys for your car, to repair your locks, get you into your locked
building, house or apartment when you lose your keys, or who a
roadside service company sends to get you into your vehicle has had
a background check by the State of Texas and the FBI to assure
he/she is not a convicted felon or child-molester. He’s proven
himself to be knowledgeable in locksmithing, and he has the
required amount of liability insurance, in case he damages
something.
An exception is, if a tow truck driver who is not licensed under
this law must unlock a vehicle in order to actually hook up the
vehicle and tow it someplace else, he may do so. However, this is
permitted only when such unlocking is directly relevant to the
towing operation. The only other time he may unlock a vehicle is
when it’s necessary to free a person or animal from a locked
vehicle in a life-or-death emergency situation.
To stay in business under this law, insurance, fees, and license
must be kept current. Among other things, this includes taking
continuing-education classes every year. Also, whenever they are on
the job, they must carry their official photo-ID card, issued by
the State of Texas, which bears their license number.
The next time you’re locked out of your vehicle, home, or
business, be sure the person who comes to help you is properly
licensed. Ask about this when you call them, and make them show you
their official photo-ID card when they arrive. Their official
license number must also be printed on their invoices, their
business cards, and must appear in all paid advertising, including
yellow-page telephone listings.
If they’re not licensed, don’t use them. IT’S THE LAW! And it’s
enforced by the Texas DPS.
For more information about SB1252, or to report someone
operating in violation of this law, contact Texas Department of
Public Safety (DPS) at 512-424-7711, or at their on-line website:
www.txdps.state.tx.us/psb
_________________________________________________________________
This article was approved for release to local
newspapers and radio stations throughout Texas by Jim Hetchler,
President, Texas Locksmith Association.
[Submitted by Sara Probasco, 1005 E. Main St.,
Uvalde TX 78801, (830) 278-4906; Spro@hilconet.com]
