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NEW TEXAS LAW AIDS BUSINESS and HOME SECURITY

 

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

 

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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]