Professional licensure of locksmiths, granting rule-making authority, and providing a penalty. (FE)

The bill requires DSPS to grant a locksmith license to an applicant for licensure if DSPS determines that certain requirements are met, including that the applicant satisfies any education, training, or examination requirements established by DSPS by rule; that, subject to the Wisconsin Fair Employment Law, the applicant does not have an arrest or conviction record; and that the applicant has not had a license or other credential to act as a locksmith in any state denied, canceled, revoked, or surrendered in lieu of revocation unless that license or other credential was later granted or reinstated.

Under the bill, a locksmith license is not required for any of the following:

1. The servicing, installing, repairing, or rebuilding of a motor vehicle security device by a motor vehicle manufacturer, dealer, or mechanic, or its employee.

2. The dismantling or otherwise bypassing of a security device in an emergency by a law enforcement officer, fire fighter, or other emergency response personnel.

3. The duplication of a nonelectronic key or the sale of a security device by the employee of a retail or hardware store.

4. The installation or removal of a complete security device by a member of the building or construction trade during residential or commercial new construction or remodeling, if a building permit is required for the construction or remodeling and is obtained.

5. The dismantling or otherwise bypassing of a motor vehicle security device by the employee of a towing service or motor club for the limited purpose of gaining access to the motor vehicle.

6. The dismantling or otherwise bypassing of a motor vehicle security device by a person authorized to repossess the motor vehicle or an employee of that person, for the limited purpose of gaining access to the motor vehicle.

7. The performance of locksmithing under the supervision of a licensed locksmith by an apprentice in locksmithing, as provided for in the bill, or by a student enrolled in a program of locksmithing education approved by DSPS.

8. The servicing, installing, repairing, or rebuilding of a security device by an employee of the manufacturer of that security device.

9. The servicing, installing, repairing, or rebuilding of an intrusion alarm or other intrusion detection device by an employee of an alarm company or other company in the intrusion detection industry.

10. The work of a registered or licensed electrician who is acting within the scope of his or her registration or license.

Under the bill, DSPS is required to keep a register of the names and addresses of all currently licensed locksmiths, and each licensed locksmith must file with DSPS a bond or liability policy in an amount determined by DSPS by rule. The bill also requires the secretary of DSPS to appoint an advisory committee to advise DSPS on matters relating to the regulation of locksmiths.