The Assembly Business and Professions Committee advanced SB 1203 on Monday, sending the private-security training bill to the next policy committee after a hearing that drew strong support from security workers and organized opposition from Allied Universal and CalSAGA.
The measure, known as the Stand for Security Act, is authored by Sen. Smallwood-Quevas. Supporters told the committee that private security officers increasingly need training to respond to mental health crises, violence and substance-use emergencies. Testimony in support came from security workers and labor groups, including SEIU, USWW.
Opponents argued the bill would add major costs and disrupt how the industry trains workers. According to the committee summary, Allied Universal and CalSAGA said the proposal could impose billions in annual costs, force companies to outsource training and push employers toward unregulated labor or technology replacements.
Committee members signaled interest in a narrower path. The summary said members wanted future amendments to require a regional training-capacity analysis before limiting existing providers from offering the new training.
The committee moved SB 1203 to Labor and Employment. The hearing summary did not include a final roll-call tally, and the exact amendment language had not yet been published.
