Private Security Officer Quality Assurance Act of 1997

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Jan 21, 1997

Private Security Officer Quality Assurance Act of 1997 - Authorizes an association of employers of private security officers to submit fingerprints or other methods of positive identification to the Attorney General on behalf of any applicant for a State license or certificate or registration as a private security officer or employer of such officers. Authorizes the Attorney General to: (1) exchange identification and criminal history records with State governmental agencies for licensing and employment purposes; and (2) prescribe regulations as may be necessary to carry out this Act, including measures relating to the security, confidentiality, accuracy, use, and dissemination of information and audits and recordkeeping. Sets forth reporting requirements. Expresses the sense of the Congress that each State should participate in the background check system established by this Act.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. DeWine, Mike [R-OH] · R–OH

Committees

Judiciary Committee

5 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Jan 21, 1997
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Jan 21, 1997
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S550)
Jan 21, 1997
Introduced in Senate

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in Senate · Jan 21, 1997 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Aug 10, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze S.173 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss S.173, 105th Congress: Private Security Officer Quality Assurance Act of 1997

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/senate-bill/173

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1997-01-21.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/s173/BILLS-105s173is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-08-10T11:54:16Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze S.173 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine S.173 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Discuss S.173, 105th Congress: Private Security Officer Quality Assurance Act of 1997

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/senate-bill/173

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1997-01-21.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/s173/BILLS-105s173is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-08-10T11:54:16Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.173 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine S.173 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Discuss S.173, 105th Congress: Private Security Officer Quality Assurance Act of 1997

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/senate-bill/173

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1997-01-21.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/s173/BILLS-105s173is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-08-10T11:54:16Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.173 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine S.173 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.173, 105th Congress: Private Security Officer Quality Assurance Act of 1997

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/senate-bill/173

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1997-01-21.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/s173/BILLS-105s173is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-08-10T11:54:16Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.173 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.