Bill Text: PA SB311 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Providing for a code of ethics for private detectives.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-01-27 - Referred to CONSUMER PROTECTION AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE [SB311 Detail]

Download: Pennsylvania-2011-SB311-Introduced.html

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PRINTER'S NO. 288
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No. 311 Session of2011
INTRODUCED BY TOMLINSON, WAUGH, TARTAGLIONE, BROWNE, FONTANA, BOSCOLA, RAFFERTY, SOLOBAY, LEACH, BREWSTER AND ALLOWAY, JANUARY 27, 2011
REFERRED TO CONSUMER PROTECTION AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE, JANUARY 27, 2011
AN ACT
Amending the act of August 21, 1953 (P.L.1273, No.361), entitled
"An act to regulate the business of private detectives,
investigators and watch, guard, or patrol agencies, and the
licensing thereof in each county; providing penalties,"
providing for a code of ethics for private detectives.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The act of August 21, 1953 (P.L.1273, No.361),
known as The Private Detective Act of 1953, is amended by adding
a section to read:
Section 16.2. Code of Ethics.--Each licensee shall abide by
the following code of ethics in the performance of duties and
shall:
(1) Recognize the highest principles of ethical conduct in
an investigation and in the practice of the profession and at
all times represent the highest standards, dealing honestly,
justly, fairly and courteously with all represented clients.
(2) Interact honestly with other investigators and other
professionals. At no time shall a private detective damage or
injure the professional reputation of another investigator or
private investigative agency.
(3) Provide services which he is competent and qualified to
perform.
(4) Refrain from accepting an assignment if there is a
personal or business conflict of interest.
(5) Adhere to confidentiality in investigative dealings and
respect the confidential nature of the information obtained
about and from clients.
(6) Conduct himself in an ethical manner whenever engaged in
the solicitation of work or providing services.
(7) Not represent himself in a misleading or deceptive
manner. The licensee shall avoid all conduct or practice likely
to discredit or do injury to the profession.
(8) Not knowingly violate any laws regulating business
practices and the profession itself. No rights or privileges of
a citizen, which may be guaranteed by the Constitution of the
United States or the Constitution of Pennsylvania, shall be
knowingly violated.
(9) Make all reporting of information discovered in the
course of an investigation be based upon truth and fact and
express honest opinions on that basis. No personal feelings or
prejudices shall be allowed to interfere with factual and
truthful disclosures of the results obtained from investigative
assignments for clients.
(10) Provide knowledge of any material fact related to the
commission of a crime to appropriate law enforcement unless the
licensee is represented by an attorney and attorney client
privilege extends to the subject matter of the investigation.
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(11) Report knowledge of another licensee's or agency's
unethical, illegal or unfair practice.
(12) Honor each client contract, adhering to all
responsibilities by providing ethical services within the limits
of the law.
(13) Use due diligence to ensure that all employes and co-
workers adhere to this same code of ethical conduct.
(14) Not provide services when he knows or disregards
knowledge that the information or service to be provided will be
used to commit or facilitate a crime or fraud, or to harass,
intimidate or to expose a third party to ridicule or scorn or
put an individual in physical danger.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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