CO SB259

Converts voluntary private investigator licensure to mandatory registration effective March 1, 2014, requiring all persons conducting private investigations in Colorado to obtain registration from the director of professions and occupations.

Eliminates the 5-year time requirement for prior investigative experience and allows applicants without sufficient experience to register as private investigator apprentices under supervision of a licensed private investigator.

Requires registered private investigators and apprentices to post and maintain a surety bond in an amount determined by the director by rule.

Adds new exemptions from registration requirements including persons serving process, providing paralegal services under attorney contract, recovering fugitives, and investigators conducting fire origin or failure analysis.

Extends the sunset date for private investigator licensure functions from September 1, 2016, to September 1, 2021, and requires appointment of an advisory committee with three licensed investigators, one law enforcement representative, and one public member.