HB3640 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB096 03341 ASK 19254 b

96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2009 and 2010
HB3640

Introduced 2/24/2009, by Rep. Lisa M. Dugan

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

225 ILCS 447/5-10
225 ILCS 447/20-20
225 ILCS 447/35-30
225 ILCS 447/50-10

Amends the Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Act of 2004. Provides that an emergency communication system and a mass notification system are included under the definition of "alarm system". Provides that training may include the installation, repair, and maintenance of emergency communication and mass notification systems. Provides that a majority of the appointed Board members constitutes a quorum. Effective immediately.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning alarm systems.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Act of 2004 is amended by changing Sections 5-10, 20-20, 50-10, and 35-30 as follows:

(225 ILCS 447/5-10)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2014)

Sec. 5-10. Definitions. As used in this Act:

"Advertisement" means any printed material that is published in a phone book, newspaper, magazine, pamphlet, newsletter, or other similar type of publication that is intended to either attract business or merely provide contact information to the public for an agency or licensee. Advertisement shall include any material disseminated by printed or electronic means or media, but shall not include a licensee's or an agency's letterhead, business cards, or other stationery used in routine business correspondence or customary name, address, and number type listings in a telephone directory.

"Alarm system" means any system, including an electronic access control system, a surveillance video system, a security video system, a burglar alarm system, a fire alarm system, an emergency communication system, mass notification system, or any other electronic system, that activates an audible, visible, remote, or recorded signal that is designed for the protection or detection of intrusion, entry, theft, fire, vandalism, escape, or trespass, or other electronic systems designed for the protection of life by indicating the existence of an emergency situation.

"Armed employee" means a licensee or registered person who is employed by an agency licensed or an armed proprietary security force registered under this Act who carries a weapon while engaged in the performance of official duties within the course and scope of his or her employment during the hours and times the employee is scheduled to work or is commuting between his or her home or place of employment, provided that commuting is accomplished within one hour from departure from home or place of employment.

"Armed proprietary security force" means a security force made up of 5 or more armed individuals employed by a private, commercial, or industrial operation or one or more armed individuals employed by a financial institution as security officers for the protection of persons or property.

"Board" means the Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Board.

"Branch office" means a business location removed from the place of business for which an agency license has been issued, including, but not limited to, locations where active employee records that are required to be maintained under this Act are kept, where prospective new employees are processed, or where members of the public are invited in to transact business. A branch office does not include an office or other facility located on the property of an existing client that is utilized solely for the benefit of that client and is not owned or leased by the agency.

"Canine handler" means a person who uses or handles a trained dog to protect persons or property or to conduct investigations.

"Canine handler authorization card" means a card issued by the Department that authorizes the holder to use or handle a trained dog to protect persons or property or to conduct investigations during the performance of his or her duties as specified in this Act.

"Canine trainer" means a person who acts as a dog trainer for the purpose of training dogs to protect persons or property or to conduct investigations.

"Canine trainer authorization card" means a card issued by the Department that authorizes the holder to train a dog to protect persons or property or to conduct investigations during the performance of his or her duties as specified in this Act.

"Canine training facility" means a facility operated by a licensed private detective agency or private security agency wherein dogs are trained for the purposes of protecting persons or property or to conduct investigations.

"Corporation" means an artificial person or legal entity created by or under the authority of the laws of a state, including without limitation a corporation, limited liability company, or any other legal entity.

"Department" means the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

"Emergency communication system" means any system that communicates information about emergencies, including but not limited to fire, terrorist activities, shootings, other dangerous situations, accidents, and natural disasters.

"Employee" means a person who works for a person or agency that has the right to control the details of the work performed and is not dependent upon whether or not federal or state payroll taxes are withheld.

"Fingerprint vendor" means a person that offers, advertises, or provides services to fingerprint individuals, through electronic or other means, for the purpose of providing fingerprint images and associated demographic data to the Department of State Police for processing fingerprint based criminal history record information inquiries.

"Fingerprint vendor agency" means a person, firm, corporation, or other legal entity that engages in the fingerprint vendor business and employs, in addition to the fingerprint vendor licensee-in-charge, at least one other person in conducting that business.

"Fingerprint vendor licensee-in-charge" means a person who has been designated by a fingerprint vendor agency to be the licensee-in-charge of an agency who is a full-time management employee or owner who assumes sole responsibility for maintaining all records required by this Act and who assumes sole responsibility for assuring the licensed agency's compliance with its responsibilities as stated in this Act. The Department shall adopt rules mandating licensee-in-charge participation in agency affairs.

"Fire alarm system" means any system that is activated by an automatic or manual device in the detection of smoke, heat, or fire that activates an audible, visible, or remote signal requiring a response.

"Firearm control card" means a card issued by the Department that authorizes the holder, who has complied with the training and other requirements of this Act, to carry a weapon during the performance of his or her duties as specified in this Act.

"Firm" means an unincorporated business entity, including but not limited to proprietorships and partnerships.

"Locksmith" means a person who engages in a business or holds himself out to the public as providing a service that includes, but is not limited to, the servicing, installing, originating first keys, re-coding, repairing, maintaining, manipulating, or bypassing of a mechanical or electronic locking device, access control or video surveillance system at premises, vehicles, safes, vaults, safe deposit boxes, or automatic teller machines.

"Locksmith agency" means a person, firm, corporation, or other legal entity that engages in the locksmith business and employs, in addition to the locksmith licensee-in-charge, at least one other person in conducting such business.

"Locksmith licensee-in-charge" means a person who has been designated by agency to be the licensee-in-charge of an agency, who is a full-time management employee or owner who assumes sole responsibility for maintaining all records required by this Act, and who assumes sole responsibility for assuring the licensed agency's compliance with its responsibilities as stated in this Act. The Department shall adopt rules mandating licensee-in-charge participation in agency affairs.

"Mass notification system" means any system that is used to provide information and instructions to people in a building or other space using voice communications, including visible signals, text, graphics, tactile, or other communication methods.

"Peace officer" or "police officer" means a person who, by virtue of office or public employment, is vested by law with a duty to maintain public order or to make arrests for offenses, whether that duty extends to all offenses or is limited to specific offenses. Officers, agents, or employees of the federal government commissioned by federal statute to make arrests for violations of federal laws are considered peace officers.

"Permanent employee registration card" means a card issued by the Department to an individual who has applied to the Department and meets the requirements for employment by a licensed agency under this Act.

"Person" means a natural person.

"Private alarm contractor" means a person who engages in a business that individually or through others undertakes, offers to undertake, purports to have the capacity to undertake, or submits a bid to sell, install, design, monitor, maintain, alter, repair, replace, or service alarm and other security-related systems or parts thereof, including fire alarm systems, at protected premises or premises to be protected or responds to alarm systems at a protected premises on an emergency basis and not as a full-time security officer. "Private alarm contractor" does not include a person, firm, or corporation that manufactures or sells alarm systems only from its place of business and does not sell, install, monitor, maintain, alter, repair, replace, service, or respond to alarm systems at protected premises or premises to be protected.

"Private alarm contractor agency" means a person, corporation, or other entity that engages in the private alarm contracting business and employs, in addition to the private alarm contractor-in-charge, at least one other person in conducting such business.

"Private alarm contractor licensee-in-charge" means a person who has been designated by an agency to be the licensee-in-charge of an agency, who is a full-time management employee or owner who assumes sole responsibility for maintaining all records required by this Act, and who assumes sole responsibility for assuring the licensed agency's compliance with its responsibilities as stated in this Act. The Department shall adopt rules mandating licensee-in-charge participation in agency affairs.

"Private detective" means any person who by any means, including, but not limited to, manual, canine odor detection, or electronic methods, engages in the business of, accepts employment to furnish, or agrees to make or makes investigations for a fee or other consideration to obtain information relating to:

(1) Crimes or wrongs done or threatened against the United States, any state or territory of the United States, or any local government of a state or territory.

(2) The identity, habits, conduct, business occupation, honesty, integrity, credibility, knowledge, trustworthiness, efficiency, loyalty, activity, movements, whereabouts, affiliations, associations, transactions, acts, reputation, or character of any person, firm, or other entity by any means, manual or electronic.

(3) The location, disposition, or recovery of lost or stolen property.

(4) The cause, origin, or responsibility for fires, accidents, or injuries to individuals or real or personal property.

(5) The truth or falsity of any statement or representation.

(6) Securing evidence to be used before any court, board, or investigating body.

(7) The protection of individuals from bodily harm or death (bodyguard functions).

(8) Service of process in criminal and civil proceedings without court order.

"Private detective agency" means a person, firm, corporation, or other legal entity that engages in the private detective business and employs, in addition to the licensee-in-charge, one or more persons in conducting such business.

"Private detective licensee-in-charge" means a person who has been designated by an agency to be the licensee-in-charge of an agency, who is a full-time management employee or owner who assumes sole responsibility for maintaining all records required by this Act, and who assumes sole responsibility for assuring the licensed agency's compliance with its responsibilities as stated in this Act. The Department shall adopt rules mandating licensee-in-charge participation in agency affairs.

"Private security contractor" means a person who engages in the business of providing a private security officer, watchman, patrol, guard dog, canine odor detection, or a similar service by any other title or name on a contractual basis for another person, firm, corporation, or other entity for a fee or other consideration and performing one or more of the following functions:

(1) The prevention or detection of intrusion, entry, theft, vandalism, abuse, fire, or trespass on private or governmental property.

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

(3) The protection of persons authorized to be on the premises of the person, firm, or other entity for which the security contractor contractually provides security services.

(4) The prevention of the misappropriation or concealment of goods, money, bonds, stocks, notes, documents, or papers.

(5) The control, regulation, or direction of the movement of the public for the time specifically required for the protection of property owned or controlled by the client.

(6) The protection of individuals from bodily harm or death (bodyguard functions).

"Private security contractor agency" means a person, firm, corporation, or other legal entity that engages in the private security contractor business and that employs, in addition to the licensee-in-charge, one or more persons in conducting such business.

"Private security contractor licensee-in-charge" means a person who has been designated by an agency to be the licensee-in-charge of an agency, who is a full-time management employee or owner who assumes sole responsibility for maintaining all records required by this Act, and who assumes sole responsibility for assuring the licensed agency's compliance with its responsibilities as stated in this Act. The Department shall adopt rules mandating licensee-in-charge participation in agency affairs.

"Public member" means a person who is not a licensee or related to a licensee, or who is not an employer or employee of a licensee. The term "related to" shall be determined by the rules of the Department.

"Secretary" means the Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation.

(Source: P.A. 95-613, eff. 9-11-07.)

(225 ILCS 447/20-20)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2014)

Sec. 20-20. Training; private alarm contractor and employees.

(a) Registered employees of the private alarm contractor agency who carry a firearm and respond to alarm systems shall complete, within 30 days of their employment, a minimum of 20 hours of classroom training provided by a qualified instructor and shall include all of the following subjects:

(1) The law regarding arrest and search and seizure as it applies to the private alarm industry.

(2) Civil and criminal liability for acts related to the private alarm industry.

(3) The use of force, including but not limited to the use of nonlethal force (i.e., disabling spray, baton, stungun, or similar weapon).

(4) Arrest and control techniques.

(5) The offenses under the Criminal Code of 1961 that are directly related to the protection of persons and property.

(6) The law on private alarm forces and on reporting to law enforcement agencies.

(7) Fire prevention, fire equipment, and fire safety.

(8) Civil rights and public relations.

(9) The identification of terrorists, acts of terrorism, and terrorist organizations, as defined by federal and State statutes.

Pursuant to directives set forth by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the provisions set forth by the National Fire Protection Association in the National Fire Alarm Code and the Life Safety Code, training may include the installation, repair, and maintenance of emergency communication systems and mass notification systems.

(b) All other employees of a private alarm contractor agency shall complete a minimum of 20 hours of training provided by a qualified instructor within 30 days of their employment. The substance of the training shall be related to the work performed by the registered employee.

(c) It is the responsibility of the employer to certify, on forms provided by the Department, that the employee has successfully completed the training. The form shall be a permanent record of training completed by the employee and shall be placed in the employee's file with the employer for the term the employee is retained by the employer. A private alarm contractor agency may place a notarized copy of the Department form in lieu of the original into the permanent employee registration card file. The form shall be returned to the employee when his or her employment is terminated. Failure to return the form to the employee is grounds for discipline. The employee shall not be required to complete the training required under this Act once the employee has been issued a form.

(d) Nothing in this Act prevents any employer from providing or requiring additional training beyond the required 20 hours that the employer feels is necessary and appropriate for competent job performance.

(e) Any certification of completion of the 20-hour basic training issued under the Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, and Locksmith Act of 1993 or any prior Act shall be accepted as proof of training under this Act.

(Source: P.A. 95-613, eff. 9-11-07.)

(225 ILCS 447/35-30)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2014)

Sec. 35-30. Employee requirements. All employees of a licensed agency, other than those exempted, shall apply for a permanent employee registration card. The holder of an agency license issued under this Act, known in this Section as "employer", may employ in the conduct of his or her business employees under the following provisions:

(a) No person shall be issued a permanent employee registration card who:

(1) Is younger than 18 years of age.

(2) Is younger than 21 years of age if the services will include being armed.

(3) Has been determined by the Department to be unfit by reason of conviction of an offense in this or another state, other than a traffic offense. The Department shall adopt rules for making those determinations that shall afford the applicant due process of law.

(4) Has had a license or permanent employee registration card denied, suspended, or revoked under this Act (i) within one year before the date the person's application for permanent employee registration card is received by the Department; and (ii) that refusal, denial, suspension, or revocation was based on any provision of this Act other than Section 40-50, item (6) or (8) of subsection (a) of Section 15-10, subsection (b) of Section 15-10, item (6) or (8) of subsection (a) of Section 20-10, subsection (b) of Section 20-10, item (6) or (8) of subsection (a) of Section 25-10, subsection (b) of Section 25-10, item (7) of subsection (a) of Section 30-10, subsection (b) of Section 30-10, or Section 10-40.

(5) Has been declared incompetent by any court of competent jurisdiction by reason of mental disease or defect and has not been restored.

(6) Has been dishonorably discharged from the armed services of the United States.

(b) No person may be employed by a private detective agency, private security contractor agency, private alarm contractor agency, fingerprint vendor agency, or locksmith agency under this Section until he or she has executed and furnished to the employer, on forms furnished by the Department, a verified statement to be known as "Employee's Statement" setting forth:

(1) The person's full name, age, and residence address.

(2) The business or occupation engaged in for the 5 years immediately before the date of the execution of the statement, the place where the business or occupation was engaged in, and the names of employers, if any.

(3) That the person has not had a license or employee registration denied, revoked, or suspended under this Act (i) within one year before the date the person's application for permanent employee registration card is received by the Department; and (ii) that refusal, denial, suspension, or revocation was based on any provision of this Act other than Section 40-50, item (6) or (8) of subsection (a) of Section 15-10, subsection (b) of Section 15-10, item (6) or (8) of subsection (a) of Section 20-10, subsection (b) of Section 20-10, item (6) or (8) of subsection (a) of Section 25-10, subsection (b) of Section 25-10, item (7) of subsection (a) of Section 30-10, subsection (b) of Section 30-10, or Section 10-40.

(4) Any conviction of a felony or misdemeanor.

(5) Any declaration of incompetence by a court of competent jurisdiction that has not been restored.

(6) Any dishonorable discharge from the armed services of the United States.

(7) Any other information as may be required by any rule of the Department to show the good character, competency, and integrity of the person executing the statement.

(c) Each applicant for a permanent employee registration card shall have his or her fingerprints submitted to the Department of State Police in an electronic format that complies with the form and manner for requesting and furnishing criminal history record information as prescribed by the Department of State Police. These fingerprints shall be checked against the Department of State Police and Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal history record databases now and hereafter filed. The Department of State Police shall charge applicants a fee for conducting the criminal history records check, which shall be deposited in the State Police Services Fund and shall not exceed the actual cost of the records check. The Department of State Police shall furnish, pursuant to positive identification, records of Illinois convictions to the Department. The Department may require applicants to pay a separate fingerprinting fee, either to the Department or directly to the vendor. The Department, in its discretion, may allow an applicant who does not have reasonable access to a designated vendor to provide his or her fingerprints in an alternative manner. The Department, in its discretion, may also use other procedures in performing or obtaining criminal background checks of applicants. Instead of submitting his or her fingerprints, an individual may submit proof that is satisfactory to the Department that an equivalent security clearance has been conducted. Also, an individual who has retired as a peace officer within 12 months of application may submit verification, on forms provided by the Department and signed by his or her employer, of his or her previous full-time employment as a peace officer.

(d) The Department shall issue a permanent employee registration card, in a form the Department prescribes, to all qualified applicants. The holder of a permanent employee registration card shall carry the card at all times while actually engaged in the performance of the duties of his or her employment. Expiration and requirements for renewal of permanent employee registration cards shall be established by rule of the Department. Possession of a permanent employee registration card does not in any way imply that the holder of the card is employed by an agency unless the permanent employee registration card is accompanied by the employee identification card required by subsection (f) of this Section.

(e) Each employer shall maintain a record of each employee that is accessible to the duly authorized representatives of the Department. The record shall contain the following information:

(1) A photograph taken within 10 days of the date that the employee begins employment with the employer. The photograph shall be replaced with a current photograph every 3 calendar years.

(2) The Employee's Statement specified in subsection (b) of this Section.

(3) All correspondence or documents relating to the character and integrity of the employee received by the employer from any official source or law enforcement agency.

(4) In the case of former employees, the employee identification card of that person issued under subsection (f) of this Section. Each employee record shall duly note if the employee is employed in an armed capacity. Armed employee files shall contain a copy of an active firearm owner's identification card and a copy of an active firearm control card. Each employer shall maintain a record for each armed employee of each instance in which the employee's weapon was discharged during the course of his or her professional duties or activities. The record shall be maintained on forms provided by the Department, a copy of which must be filed with the Department within 15 days of an instance. The record shall include the date and time of the occurrence, the circumstances involved in the occurrence, and any other information as the Department may require. Failure to provide this information to the Department or failure to maintain the record as a part of each armed employee's permanent file is grounds for disciplinary action. The Department, upon receipt of a report, shall have the authority to make any investigation it considers appropriate into any occurrence in which an employee's weapon was discharged and to take disciplinary action as may be appropriate.

(5) The Department may, by rule, prescribe further record requirements.

(f) Every employer shall furnish an employee identification card to each of his or her employees. This employee identification card shall contain a recent photograph of the employee, the employee's name, the name and agency license number of the employer, the employee's personal description, the signature of the employer, the signature of that employee, the date of issuance, and an employee identification card number.

(g) No employer may issue an employee identification card to any person who is not employed by the employer in accordance with this Section or falsely state or represent that a person is or has been in his or her employ. It is unlawful for an applicant for registered employment to file with the Department the fingerprints of a person other than himself or herself.

(h) Every employer shall obtain the identification card of every employee who terminates employment with him or her.

(i) Every employer shall maintain a separate roster of the names of all employees currently working in an armed capacity and submit the roster to the Department on request.

(j) No agency may employ any person to perform a licensed activity under this Act unless the person possesses a valid permanent employee registration card or a valid license under this Act, or is exempt pursuant to subsection (n).

(k) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (j), an agency may employ a person in a temporary capacity if all of the following conditions are met:

(1) The agency completes in its entirety and submits to the Department an application for a permanent employee registration card, including the required fingerprint receipt and fees.

(2) The agency has verification from the Department that the applicant has no record of any criminal conviction pursuant to the criminal history check conducted by the Department of State Police. The agency shall maintain the verification of the results of the Department of State Police criminal history check as part of the employee record as required under subsection (e) of this Section.

(3) The agency exercises due diligence to ensure that the person is qualified under the requirements of the Act to be issued a permanent employee registration card.

(4) The agency maintains a separate roster of the names of all employees whose applications are currently pending with the Department and submits the roster to the Department on a monthly basis. Rosters are to be maintained by the agency for a period of at least 24 months.

An agency may employ only a permanent employee applicant for which it either submitted a permanent employee application and all required forms and fees or it confirms with the Department that a permanent employee application and all required forms and fees have been submitted by another agency, licensee or the permanent employee and all other requirements of this Section are met.

The Department shall have the authority to revoke, without a hearing, the temporary authority of an individual to work upon receipt of Federal Bureau of Investigation fingerprint data or a report of another official authority indicating a criminal conviction. If the Department has not received a temporary employee's Federal Bureau of Investigation fingerprint data within 120 days of the date the Department received the Department of State Police fingerprint data, the Department may, at its discretion, revoke the employee's temporary authority to work with 15 days written notice to the individual and the employing agency.

An agency may not employ a person in a temporary capacity if it knows or reasonably should have known that the person has been convicted of a crime under the laws of this State, has been convicted in another state of any crime that is a crime under the laws of this State, has been convicted of any crime in a federal court, or has been posted as an unapproved applicant by the Department. Notice by the Department to the agency, via certified mail, personal delivery, electronic mail, or posting on the Department's Internet site accessible to the agency that the person has been convicted of a crime shall be deemed constructive knowledge of the conviction on the part of the agency. The Department may adopt rules to implement this subsection (k).

(l) No person may be employed under this Section in any capacity if:

(1) the person, while so employed, is being paid by the United States or any political subdivision for the time so employed in addition to any payments he or she may receive from the employer; or

(2) the person wears any portion of his or her official uniform, emblem of authority, or equipment while so employed.

(m) If information is discovered affecting the registration of a person whose fingerprints were submitted under this Section, the Department shall so notify the agency that submitted the fingerprints on behalf of that person.

(n) Peace officers shall be exempt from the requirements of this Section relating to permanent employee registration cards. The agency shall remain responsible for any peace officer employed under this exemption, regardless of whether the peace officer is compensated as an employee or as an independent contractor and as further defined by rule.

(o) Persons who have no access to confidential or security information, who do not go to a client's or prospective client's residence or place of business, and who otherwise do not provide traditional security services are exempt from employee registration. Examples of exempt employees include, but are not limited to, employees working in the capacity of ushers, directors, ticket takers, cashiers, drivers, and reception personnel. Confidential or security information is that which pertains to employee files, scheduling, client contracts, or technical security and alarm data.

(Source: P.A. 95-331, eff. 8-21-07; 95-613, eff. 9-11-07.)

(225 ILCS 447/50-10)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2014)

Sec. 50-10. The Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Board.

(a) The Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Board shall consist of 13 members appointed by the Director and comprised of 2 licensed private detectives, 3 licensed private security contractors, one licensed private detective or licensed private security contractor who provides canine odor detection services, 2 licensed private alarm contractors, one licensed fingerprint vendor, 2 licensed locksmiths, one public member who is not licensed or registered under this Act and who has no connection with a business licensed under this Act, and one member representing the employees registered under this Act. Each member shall be a resident of Illinois. Except for the initial appointment of a licensed fingerprint vendor after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 95th General Assembly, each licensed member shall have at least 5 years experience as a licensee in the professional area in which the person is licensed and be in good standing and actively engaged in that profession. In making appointments, the Director shall consider the recommendations of the professionals and the professional organizations representing the licensees. The membership shall reasonably reflect the different geographic areas in Illinois.

(b) Members shall serve 4 year terms and may serve until their successors are appointed. No member shall serve for more than 2 successive terms. Appointments to fill vacancies shall be made in the same manner as the original appointments for the unexpired portion of the vacated term. Members of the Board in office on the effective date of this Act pursuant to the Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, and Locksmith Act of 1993 shall serve for the duration of their terms and may be appointed for one additional term.

(c) A member of the Board may be removed for cause. A member subject to formal disciplinary proceedings shall disqualify himself or herself from all Board business until the charge is resolved. A member also shall disqualify himself or herself from any matter on which the member cannot act objectively.

(d) Members shall receive compensation as set by law. Each member shall receive reimbursement as set by the Governor's Travel Control Board for expenses incurred in carrying out the duties as a Board member.

(e) A majority of the appointed Board members constitutes a quorum. A majority vote of the quorum is required for a decision.

(f) The Board shall elect a chairperson and vice chairperson.

(g) Board members are not liable for their acts, omissions, decisions, or other conduct in connection with their duties on the Board, except those determined to be willful, wanton, or intentional misconduct.

(h) The Board may recommend policies, procedures, and rules relevant to the administration and enforcement of this Act.

(Source: P.A. 95-613, eff. 9-11-07.)

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.