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Hit the Hill a Huge Succcess!
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Dear Members,
I would like to start by thanking those who participated on our Hit the Hill Meeting in Washington, DC April 8th, preceded by our Board of Directors Meeting a day earlier. We had 42 participants from 17 states. North Carolina once again led the way with 10 attendees, followed by South Carolina with 4, New Jersey and California with 3 each.
Many of these attendees do so at their own expense, and we certainly appreciate those state associations who have the foresight to send representatives with some or all of their expenses covered by the state association.
The meeting brought in $1,100 in donations to our Legislation Fund. Mel Ashton led the way with a $500 donation. We also received generous donations from Kimberly Campbell, Elizabeth Feagles, Larry Flannery, Don Johnson, JoAnn Kunda, Andrea Orozco, John Talaganis, and myself.
Meeting Sponsors were Robert Orozco, Dean Beers, Gene Ferraro, Barbara Burr, Larry Flannery, Dean Gluth, James Huckabee, Syd Huckvale, Don Joshnson, Francie Koehler, Maria Landry, Tom Shamshak, Carol Ward, and myself. Thank you to all who sponsored and contributed.
There were also check presentations from the New Jersey Licensed Private Investigators Association, the Ohio Association of Security & Investigation Services, and the Associated Detectives & Security Agencies of Illinois. We very much appreciate our State Association Members who pay dues and in many cases contribute additional amounts to our Legislation Fund.
I am excited that we have just implemented our new State Legislation Awareness Monitoring program (SLAM). Elsewhere in this report you will read how this affects our State Association Advisory Board and all of our State Association members who will find it easier to keep tabs on what is happening at home.
Best Regards,
Bob Heales President, NCISS
raheales@mindspring.com
NCISS
7501 Sparrows Point Blvd.
Baltimore, Maryland 21219
800.445.8408
inquiry@nciss.org
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SAAB / SLAM
State Association Advisory Board and
State Legislation Awareness Monitoring Program
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One of the most exciting new benefits is the improvement of two of the most important purposes and benefits of NCISS...
National Legislative Program Launched! (hear the discussion on PI's Declassified!)
Founded in 1975, The National Council of Investigation and Security Services (NCISS) has fought restrictive legislation and governmental regulations with unintended consequences on behalf of private investigators and security professionals before Congress and governmental agencies. NCISS announced two new programs to assist security professionals and private investigators expand their legislative knowledge and influence. Tune in to hear James Huckabee, Tom Shamshak, and Dean Beers, all NCISS Vice Presidents, discuss these exciting new developments, along with NCISS Legislative Advocate, Keith Nelson from the Washington DC firm of Lobbyit.
Link: http://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/77751/national-legislative-program-launched
For current state legislation being monitored at NCISS.org: Legislation ==> Advocacy Hub ==> State Legislation
For updates of SAAB / SLAM, please visit http://www.nciss.org/about-us/state-association-advisory-board.php
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NCISS continues the successful tradition of Hit the Hill. Annually members and association leaders, and guests, converge on Washington DC to personally meet with their Congressional delegations.
States represented included New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, Minnesota, California, Massachusetts, Indiana, Louisiana, Colorado, New York, Washington DC, Virginia, Alabama, Pennsylvania, Arizona, and for the first time, Wyoming.
Thank you to the Associated Detectives and Security Agencies of Illinois, Ohio Association of Security & Investigation Services, and the New Jersey Licensed Private Investigators Association who all sent representatives with checks to further our cause.
 | | James Huckabee, Bob Heales, and Dean Gluth (IL) |
 | | Bob Heales and Terry Myer (OH) |
 | | Bob Heales and Pete Staats (NJ) |
 | | Dean Gluth and James Huckabee with Rep. Peter Roskam of Illinois |
 | | Brad Duffy meets with Rep. Tom Latham of Iowa |
 | | Rep. Ted Poe of Texas gives a speech to NCISS attendees |
Many states were represented, but more were not. If you cannot make Hit the Hill - please visit your Congressional delegation locally. A legislative packet can be forwarded to you.
We hope you join us next April for Hit the Hill. It is fun and informative - and one of the key member activities. Not only do you become a personal voice for NCISS and your profession, you also meet and interact with your Congressional delegation and develop important lasting relationships.
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NCISS Legislative Alerts
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NCISS / LobbyIt Legislative Update - May 2014 (05/14/2014)
NCISS Sends Comments to National Labor Relations Board on "Ambush Election" (04/07/2014)
On Friday, April 4, NCISS submitted a 12 page comment on the proposed "Ambush" rule to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), detailing its objections to the measure, which would unfairly shorten the time management has to respond to a petition to unionize an employer's workforce. Read this alert here -
http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs179/1102296473151/archive/1117019738391.html
Death Master File UPDATE (03/26/2014)
There have been a myriad of messages circulating in the last couple of days regarding applying for and/or accessing the Death Master SSN file (DMF).
http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs179/1102296473151/archive/1116931128709.html
Archives of NCISS Legislative Alerts can be found at:News Archive Link - http://www.nciss.org/news-and-events/latest-news.php Legislative Alerts - http://www.nciss.org/legislation/latest-legislation.php
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Legislative Watch - Security
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Members,
At Hit the Hill, the following key legislative issues for security services were presented to Congressional delegations by your fellow members attending Hit the Hill.
1. S 1737 -- Minimum Wage Fairness Act
S 1737 was introduced on 11/19/13 and placed on the Senate Legislative calendar (bypassing committee). The sponsor is Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA), the bill currently has 29 cosponsors. Companion Bill: HR1010.
The bill would provide for an increase in the federal minimum wage and to amend the Internal Revenue Code to extend increased expensing limitations and the treatment of certain real property. Minimum wage would progressively increase from $8.20 per hour for the first 6 months, $9.15 an hour six months later then $10.10 an hour the following year.
- Many NCISS member security companies would be harmed by an increased minimum wage requirement.
2. S 1837 -- Equal Employment for All Act of 2013
S 1837 was introduced on 12/17/13 and referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. The sponsor is Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), the bill currently has 9 cosponsors. Companion Bill: HR 645
The legislation would prohibit employers from checking the credit history of potential employees. The prohibition applies regardless of whether the potential employee consents to a credit check.
- NCISS member security companies would be limited in their ability to fully vet potential employees under this bill.
3. National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) Pending Rules
The "Ambush" Rule
On March 11, 2014, the NLRB proposed new regulations that would radically change the process for union representation elections, effectively shortening election time frames and limiting employees' opportunity to hear from employers before making a crucial workplace decision.
Right now, the median time between petition and election is 38 days. Under the original ambush election proposal, the time frame could have been as short as 10 days. The shorter the election, the less time employers and employees have to communicate about the general disadvantages of unions or about a specific union attempting to organize the workplace.
- The proposed rule is based on a false premise, violates employer speech rights, and denies employees the ability to make an informed decision about representation.
Maria Vinson Landry, CPP
Legislative Committee - Security Chair
mlandry@vinsonguard.com
(985) 882-5247 Legislative Archives: http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs052/1102296473151/archive/1110377933456.htm |
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Legislative Watch - Investigations
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 Members,
At Hit the Hill, the following key legislative issues for investigations were presented to Congressional delegations by your fellow members attending Hit the Hill.
1. Death Master File (DMF)
In December 2013, Congress passed a budget deal which included limitations on public access to the Death Master File (DMF). The provision is expected to save $700 Million. While this provision is now the law, the Department of Commerce is responsible for promulgating regulations to allow a variety of legitimate uses. Commerce is scheduled to release an interim final rule by March 29, which will then be subject to public comment. - Commerce needs to hear from PI's and their Members of Congress to ensure that DMF access for Private Investigators (PIs) is maintained.
2. Pretexting
On February 12, Chairman Rockefeller introduced S. 2025, the Data Broker Accountability and Transparency Act.
- Importantly, this bill contains a prohibition of "pretexting" by data brokers.
Specifically, S. 2025 includes the following language:
SEC. 3. PROHIBITION ON OBTAINING OR SOLICITATION TO OBTAIN PERSONAL INFORMATION BY FALSE PRETENSES.
(a) In General.--It shall be unlawful for a data broker to obtain or attempt to obtain, or cause to be disclosed or attempt to cause to be disclosed to any person, personal information or any other information relating to any person by making a false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or representation to any person, including by providing any document to any person, that the data broker knows or should know to be forged, counterfeit, lost, stolen, or fraudulently obtained, or contains a false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or representation.
(b) Solicitation.--It shall be unlawful for a data broker to request a person to obtain personal information, or any other information, relating to any other person if the data broker knows or should know that the person to whom the request is made will obtain or attempt to obtain that information in the manner described in subsection (a).
- NCISS Members must insure that private investigators are not swept into the definition of data brokers, and should ask for a specific statutory exemption.
3. Geolocational Privacy Act
S. 639, the Geolocational Privacy and Surveillance Act (Wyden) would require consent of the subject when using GPS technology for tracking individuals
. Companion Legislation: HR 1312. Prohibits intentionally intercepting or disclosing geolocational information. Amends the US code to specify the circumstances in which a person may acquire geolocation information.
Exceptions include: (1) information acquired by a provider of a covered service (electronic communication service, remote computing service, or geolocation information service) in the normal course of business; (2) federal officers, employees, or agents conducting foreign intelligence surveillance; (3) persons having given prior consent; (4) public information; (5) emergency information; (6) theft; and (7) a warrant.
- S.639 must be amended to include an exemption for PIs.
The bills listed for both investigation and security vital to our businesses. It is incumbent for all of us to help ourselves, our colleagues, and our clients fight restrictive legislation. None of us can do it individually. The first line of defense is to attend Hit the Hill. If you cannot attend, please contact your representative in their home office. If you need assistance in what to say, please contact me and I will provide talking points or a proposed script that you can adapt for your meeting.
Do not hesitate to call me or send me an email if I can help in any way.
Francie Koehler, CPI, CCDI, CLI
Legislative Committee - Investigations Chair
francie@nciss.org(510) 772-5512 Legislative Archives: http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs052/1102296473151/archive/1110377933456.html
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The Report and The eReport
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 NCISS reaches over 1100 investigators and security consultants in your national trade journal, The NCISS Report, delivered by direct mail to the agency owners who have an interest in events in Washington, D.C. The journal is mailed twice each year, approximately each spring and fall, and is also available online. We welcome contributions on investigation or security related topics of interest to our members. If you have news or an idea for an article contact your Regional Director or The eReport editor. In the meantime, check out current and past issues at http://www.nciss.org/news-and-events/nciss-the-report.php. In an effort to make sure our members are current on news of their professions, bi-monthly an electronic bulletin, The eReport, is sent via email. If you have news or an idea for an article contact the editor, Dean A. Beers, at beersda@DeathCaseReview.com. Be sure and check the current and past issues at http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs052/1102296473151/archive/1110377933456.html
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Region News and State Association Updates
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 Region 1 - from Regional Director Terry Myer
We just returned from Washington D.C. to work at "Hit the Hill". We had our NCISS semi-annual meeting on Sunday and Monday, and Tuesday we Hit the Hill going the offices of our Congressional delegations. I personally went to Representative Pat Tiberi`s office and Representative Steve Stiver`s office, and I met with Representative Ted Poe of Texas. There will be several follow-up meetings to let the Congress know the needs for our industry. I would hate to think we would have to work in this business without the NCISS members going to Washington to monitor these House Bills and Senate Bills. If we were not involved they would pass bills that could paralyze our industry in certain areas, maybe even put some of us out of business. Needless to say, we all need to encourage new membership.
Region 3 - from Bill Fletcher (At Large Director)
Our North Carolina Association of Private Investigators met for the State Legislature opened the off-year Short Session on 5/14/14. I met with Jerry Pitman, our NCAPI VP of Legislation & Legal Affairs and Bill Johnson, who formerly served in that position. We spent quality time with our Lt Gov Dan Forrest, Senate Pres Pro Tempore Phil Berger & House Speaker Thom Tillis. Tillis & Berger each have 3 appointments to our licensing board and we discussed several nominees and made our recommendations. We were able to meet with Chairmen of both the House & Senate Judiciary Committees. (Any legislation affecting our industry will be referred to these Committees and the Chairmen agreed to contact us to discuss the profession's position.) In the past few sessions, many of these pieces of legislation have warranted "Public Hearings" allowing us to assemble 40 to 60 PI's to present our position.
It was also NASCAR Hall of Fame Day at the Legislature & I finagled our group in to talk to Junior Johnson, Rusty Wallace, Ned & Dale Jarrett, Donnie Allison, et al.
Mr. Greg Hatten, State President, and Past President, Larry Flannery led our delegation. In addition, Jerry Pitman, Vice President of Legislative & Legal Affairs, is also in a leadership role for our Association. Meetings have been scheduled with our "Floor Leaders" who will introduce legislation for us to have the same access to our State Criminal Background data base information as our Bail Bondsmen currently have. This exemption would allow Private Investigators to pay a one time fee to establish file access.
Our Political Action Committee will meet in September to decide who gets our contributions for this election cycle. In the past, we have voted to support the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House. We have always contributed to the Chairmen of the House & Senate Judiciary Committees, as well as key majority members of each Judiciary Committee who sponsor our key pieces of legislation.
I look forward to the Short Session and will make several trips to assure our best interests are being protected.
 Region 3 - from 3rd VP Dean Beers and Region 1 Director Terry Myer
Me and Terry Myer and me just returned from an exceptional FALI conference. Terry Myer spent about 99% of his time at the table. I want to extend my personal appreciation to Terry, as he also footed the expense of his registration, hotel and travel. For every person he spoke with, he had a clear and strong message that resonated.
NCISS was additionally represented by several past officers - from Brian McGuinness to Francie Koehler, and Gene Ferraro was also a guest speaker. There were several members from FALI and surrounding states, as well TALI and CALI leaders and members. I want to welcome the new members to NCISS from the FALI conference - Sue Moyer, John Gaspar, Bob Wigley, and Ken Wyant. In all, although not a big payoff in new members, it was a payoff in multiple personal conversations with conference attendees and various association leaders. Thanks to all, Dean
Region 5 - from Regional Director Andrea Orozco
Mandatory Private Investigator Licensing Passes Legislature and Moves to Governor
From Steve Davis, President - Professional Private Investigators Association of Colorado
During the 2014 legislative session, PPIAC was one of the stakeholders in this process. We are happy to announce that in 2015, mandatory private investigator licensing will be restored to Colorado upon signing by Governor Hickenlooper and will go into effect June 1, 2015. This is a collaborative effort of our founding members, our past members who have laid the groundwork, and definitely our current members who have assisted and given input in so many ways.
 Per Mar Security Services announces new VP of Physical Security and Managing Director
With a history of working with Per Mar Security Services since 2011, Bradley Duffy recently accepted the position of Vice President of Physical Security and Managing Director. He has held positions of General Manager and Area Sales Manager with Per Mar, and is an active member in numerous Security associations and organizations in the Des Moines area. Bradley graduated from University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and a Supplementary Major in Philosophy.
NCISS MEMBER ASSOCIATION CONFERENCES
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Newly Published Books and Articles by NCISS Members
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This is a new section for The eReport. Many NCISS members have articles published in trade magazines, online forums and journals of other associations. If you are published, or find an NCISS colleague published, please send a link to the article for inclusion here.
Branding and Marketing Your Investigations Company
PI Now has published "Branding and Marketing Your Investigations Company" by our own Tom Shamshak, 2nd Vice President. You can view it here: http://lawgic.al/1e1P1KZ
Article by NCISS member Phil Becnel - his Hit the Hill experience
Here is part of what Phil says, "Regardless of the degree or quality of one's legislative representation, everyone knows that if you want to be heard it's helpful to join an advocacy group. One of the groups I belong to is the National Council of Investigative and Security Services (NCISS), which held its annual "Hit the Hill" event last week. Hit the Hill brings scores of private investigators from throughout the United States to converge on the halls of Congress, where they meet with their individual legislators about issues relevant to our profession. There is strength in numbers, and with 1,000 members representing around 19,000 employees (many of them admittedly of the security services variety), NCISS carries some clout."
Here is the link (you may have to create a free account at Law.com):
http://www.law.com/sites/philipbecnel/2014/04/14/private-investigators-converge-on-washington
The Role of the PI in Finding Runaway Foster Kids Edward J. Gavin and Kathleen (Lacy) Gavin Ed and Kathy are new members to NCISS and attended Hit the Hill. This article is published in PI Magazine by subscription at PIMagazine.com. Rocky Mountain High: The emerging investigative challenges and opportunities of dealing with legalized marijuana Eugene F. Ferraro, CPP, CFE, PCI, SPHR Gene is a past president and current board member of NCISS. This article is published in PI Magazine by subscription at PIMagazine.com. With nearly 1,000 NCISS members - tracking published articles and newly published books will be a daunting task. If you are published, or see a colleague published, please email The eReport editor at beersda@DeathCaseReview.com |
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Dues Renewal and New Categories of Membership
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Dues Renewal is Here...
Increase NCISS Membership and Make a Donation Today!
By now you should have received your Dues Renewal Notice in the mail. Please note that the default invoiced amount is $175 for the regular member (Silver) level. If you are interested in including a donation to NCISS and having the annual conference fee included, please consider the Gold Level and adjust your invoice and payment accordingly.
The following are the new categories of membership:
- Bronze: $99 - Only available to new applicants for one year. No voting privileges.
- Silver: $175 -- $35 of which goes to our legislative fund. Receives all rights and privileges of membership.
- Gold: $395 -- $100 of which is designated to our legislative fund. Gold members receive one free annual conference registration per year.
Contact your Regional Director if you have any questions or need assistance. Membership and dues information are also at
To pay your dues online, please visit http://www.nciss.org/membership/membership-dues.php
NCISS Represents over 960 members
We can reach 1,000 by the end of the year!
As a member of NCISS, you know the importance of the NCISS mission - please share this with your colleagues and encourage them to be part of the NCISS mission. first year introductory dues are $99.
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Brownyard Programs
Endorsed Insurance Provider
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NCISS ENDORSED INSURANCE PROGRAMS
NCISS PI INSURANCE PLAN - Provides General & Professional Liability Insurance to private investigation agencies with up to 25 investigators. The insurance policy's limits of liability are $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate and includes: Assault & Battery, False Arrest, Libel/Slander, Invasion of Privacy, Vicarious Liability, Errors & Omissions, Contractual Liability, Independent Contractors and Additional Insured coverage. The policy is underwritten by the Lexington Insurance Company, which is the largest specialty insurer in the U.S. with over $5 Billion in policyholder surplus and A (Excellent) rated in Best's Key Rating Guide. The minimum annual premium for this policy is $750 + tax.
NCISS GUARD INSURANCE PLAN - Provides General & Professional Liability Insurance to security guard companies with less than $1,000,000 in annual revenues. The insurance policy's limits of liability are $1,000,000 per occurrence and $3,000,000 aggregate and includes: Assault & Battery, False Arrest, Vicarious Liability for intentional/criminal acts committed by guards, Errors & Omissions, Contractual Liability, Independent Contractors and Additional Insured coverage. The policy is underwritten by the Lexington Insurance Company, which is the largest specialty insurer in the U.S. with over $5 Billion in policyholder surplus and A (Excellent) rated in Best's Key Rating Guide. The minimum annual premium for this policy is $1,500 + tax.
The NEWEST Benefit for NCISS from Brownyard!
THE BESTGUARD PLAN GROUP CAPTIVE - A member-owned captive insurance program that was created for the purpose of providing lower cost Workers Compensation Insurance to select, high quality NCISS security guard member companies located throughout the U.S. The program is focused on larger, regional guard companies with standard Workers Compensation premiums of between $250,000 and $3,000,000 looking for an alternative to standard guaranteed cost programs that don't adequately reward them for their superior operations. These programs are only available to members of the National Council of Investigation & Security Services and are administered by Brownyard Programs, Ltd, the Brokers of Record of the association.
These programs are endorsed and sponsored by NCISS
NCISS Insurance Plans are available only to NCISS members and are specifically designed to insure the unique insurance needs of private investigators and security companies throughout the U.S. It combines broad coverage with low cost.
For details visit
Please contact Brownyard Programs for more information and applications.
E-Mail: Info@BrownyardPrograms.com
Website: www.BrownyardPrograms.com
Tel # 631-581-9300; Fax #: 631-581-9385
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Your Membership, Your Voice ...
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The National Council of Investigation and Security Services, Inc., is a cooperative effort of those companies and associations responsible for providing private security and investigation services to the legal profession, business community, government and the public.
It is the role of NCISS to meet and solve these problems while seeking to uncover and recommend action on any hidden potential problems which may have an effect on our profession.
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NCISS Board
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Executive Council
President
Bob Heales
1st Vice President
James Huckabee
2nd Vice President
Tom Shamshak
3rd Vice President
Dean Beers
Secretary
Debbie Anderson
Treasurer
Brad Duffy
Chair
Jim Zimmer
Executive Director
Carol Ward
DirectorsRegion 1 Terry Myer
Region 2
Thomas Jackson
Region 3
Ken Cummins
Region 4
Greg Carter
Region 5
Andrea Orozco
Region 6
Tawni Tyndal
Members at Large
Dean Gluth Bill Fletcher Dr. Daniel Benny Larry Flannery
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