Definitions.

For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

(1) ARMED SECURITY OFFICER. An individual whose principal duty is that of a security officer and who at any time wears, carries, possesses, or has access to a firearm in the performance of his or her duties.

(2) BOARD. The Alabama Security Regulatory Board.

(3) CERTIFICATION CARD or LICENSURE CARD. The identification card issued by the board to an individual as evidence that he or she has met the basic qualifications required by this chapter and is currently certified or licensed with the board to perform the duties of a security officer.

(4) CERTIFIED TRAINER. Any person approved and certified by the board as qualified to administer, and certify as to the successful completion of, the basic training requirements for security officers required by this chapter.

(5) CONTRACT SECURITY COMPANY. Any individual, firm, association, company, partnership, limited liability company, corporation, institution, or similar business entity engaged in the business of providing, or which undertakes to provide, a security officer on a contractual basis to another person or entity. The security officer provided by a contract security company is a contract security officer. In addition, any person who provides security services for more than one employer in any one week period, except for a permanent change of employment, shall be deemed to be engaged in the contract security company business and shall be licensed pursuant to this chapter.

(6) EMPLOYER-EMPLOYEE RELATIONSHIP. The performance of any service for wages or under any contract of hire, written, oral, expressed, or implied by an individual, provided the employer has control or direction over the performance of the employee and provided the service is performed personally by the employee.

(7) LICENSEE. Any person or contract security company to which a license is granted in accordance with this chapter.

(8) PUBLIC ENTITY. The federal government, the state, or any political subdivision, agency, department, branch, or service of either the state or federal government, or any county or municipality, or any other unit of local government.

(9) SECURITY OFFICER.

a. A person employed under contract, whose principal purpose is to protect a person or persons or property from criminal activity, and whose duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. The detection and prevention of unauthorized intrusion or entry, larceny, vandalism, abuse, arson, or trespass on private property.

2. The prevention, observation, or detection of any unauthorized activity on private property.

3. The control, regulation, or direction of the flow or movements of individuals, whether by vehicle, on foot, or otherwise.

b. The term does not include persons whose duties are limited to custodial duties or the reporting of violations of inhouse administrative regulations only, and who do not wear a security uniform.

(10) SWORN PEACE OFFICER. Any individual who derives plenary or special law enforcement powers from, and is an employee of, or certified by, the federal government, the state, or any political subdivision, agency, department, branch, or service of either, or of any county or municipality, or of any other unit of local government.

(Act 2009-640, p. 1960, §1; Act 2019-230, §1.)