- 2025
69th Legislature 2025 SB 198
- 1 - Authorized Print Version – SB 198
ENROLLED BILL
AN ACT GENERALLY REVISING PROFESSIONAL OCCUPATION LAWS RELATED TO PRIVATE
SECURITY; CLARIFYING THE DEFINITIONS OF "ELECTRONIC SECURITY FIRM", "PRIVATE SECURITY
GUARD", AND "SECURITY ALARM INSTALLER"; AMENDING SECTIONS 37-60-101, MCA; AND
PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
Section 1. Section 37-60-101, MCA, is amended to read:
"37-60-101. As used in this chapter, the following definitions apply:
(1) "Armed" means an endorsement authorizing a private investigator or a private security guard to
possess and use one or more firearms in the performance of professional duties according to training and
reporting requirements prescribed by this chapter and department rule.
(2) "Armed carrier service" means a private security firm that provides the transport or the offer to
transport items of value under an armed private security guard.
(3) "Department" means the department of labor and industry provided for in 2-15-1701.
(4) (a) "Electronic security firm" means a person who sells, installs, services, or maintains a
security alarm system that automatically communicates with a public safety agency or public safety answering
point as defined in 10-4-101 and who employs security alarm installers.
(b) The term does not include a person whose primary business is that of a locksmith and who
may also install closed-circuit television cameras and battery-operated door devices.
(5) "Licensee" means a person licensed under this chapter.
(6) "Private investigator" means an individual who for any consideration makes or agrees to make
any investigation relevant to:
(a) crimes against the United States or any state or territory of the United States; - 2025
69th Legislature 2025 SB 198
- 2 - Authorized Print Version – SB 198
ENROLLED BILL
(b) the identity, habits, conduct, business, occupation, honesty, integrity, trustworthiness,
efficiency, loyalty, activity, movement, location, affiliations, associations, transactions, reputation, or character
of any person;
(c) the location, disposition, or recovery of lost or stolen property;
(d) the cause of or responsibility for any fires, libels, losses, accidents, or injury to persons or
property; or
(e) gathering evidence to be used before any court, board, officer, or investigating committee.
(7) "Private security firearms instructor" means an individual who instructs private investigators and
private security guards in the use of firearms that may be used while performing professional duties.
(8) "Private security firm" means a person who provides one or more of the following:
(a) private security guard services;
(b) armed private security guard services; or
(c) armed carrier services.
(9) "Private security guard" means an individual employed by a private security firm to protect
persons or property or to direct public movement in public areas.
(10) "Registered process server" means a person described in 25-1-1101.
(11) (a) "Security alarm installer" means an individual employed by an electronic security firm to sell,
install, service, or maintain security alarm systems that automatically communicate with a public safety agency
or public safety answering point as defined in 10-4-101 to detect and signal unauthorized intrusion, movement,
break-in, or criminal acts.
(b) The term does not include a person whose primary business is that of a locksmith and who
may also install closed-circuit television cameras and battery-operated door devices.
(12) (a) "Security alarm system" means an assembly of equipment and devices or a single device or
a portion of a system intended to detect or signal or to both detect and signal unauthorized intrusion,
movement, or criminal acts at a location.
(b) The term does not include systems that monitor temperature, humidity, or any other
atmospheric condition not directly related to the detection of an unauthorized intrusion or criminal act at a
location." - 2025
69th Legislature 2025 SB 198
- 3 - Authorized Print Version – SB 198
ENROLLED BILLSection 2. [This act] is effective July 1, 2025.
- END - I hereby certify that the within bill,
SB 198, originated in the Senate.
___________________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
___________________________________________
President of the Senate
Signed this _______________________________day
of____________________________________, 2025.
___________________________________________
Speaker of the House
Signed this _______________________________day
of____________________________________, 2025. SENATE BILL NO. 198
INTRODUCED BY J. TREBAS, G. NIKOLAKAKOS
AN ACT GENERALLY REVISING PROFESSIONAL OCCUPATION LAWS RELATED TO PRIVATE SECURITY;
REMOVING THE LICENSE REQUIREMENT FOR PRIVATE SECURITY FIRMS AND PRIVATE SECURITY
GUARDS;CLARIFYING THE DEFINITIONS OF "ELECTRONIC SECURITY FIRM", "PRIVATE SECURITY
GUARD", AND "SECURITY ALARM INSTALLER"; REQUIRING FINGERPRINT-BASED BACKGROUND
CHECKS FOR AN ARMED ENDORSEMENT;AMENDING SECTIONS 37-60-101, 37-60-301, AND 37-60-303,
MCA; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.