As Amended
SEC. 41-4-23. Security guards at mental health or mental retardation facilities.
(a) It will be the duty of the director of any mental health or mental retardation facility under the direction or control of the state department of mental health to designate certain employees as security guards. The names, qualifications, and training of such security guards will be reported to the executive director of the state department of mental health and spread upon the official minutes of the state board of mental health.
All security guards, subsequent to employment but prior to performing duties as a security guard, will attend and satisfactorily complete the training course required for constables at the law enforcement officer's training academy, such training to be at the expense of the department of mental health. A complete record of all law enforcement training of each employee will be maintained in each employee's record of employment. A master file of all such employees' training will be kept in the central office of the state department of mental health.
(b) All security guards will be duly constituted peace officers with powers and duties of a constable but such authority may be exercised only on the premises of institutions under the control of the state department of mental health. Each person designated as a security guard will enter into bond, with two or more sufficient sureties, in the penalty amount of not less than ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00), the premium for which shall be paid by the facility employing such security guard.
(c) All security guards will exercise their authority while in performance of their duty on any of the facilities under the direction or control of the state department of mental health; will be required to dress in uniforms prescribed by the state board of mental helath; and will be authorized to carry weapons.
SOURCES: Laws, 1976, ch. 478, eff from and after passage (approved May 25, 1976).