(a) As used in this section, “assessment” means the application of a testing instrument identified by the bureau that evaluates whether an applicant for a firearms permit who is a registered security guard, at the time of the assessment, possesses appropriate judgment, restraint, and self-control for the purposes of carrying and using a firearm during the course of his or her security guard duties.

(b) Beginning January 1, 2018, or on a date to be determined by the bureau, but no later than July 1, 2018, the applicant shall complete the assessment, as specified in this section.

(c) (1) The bureau shall implement a process to administer the assessment specified in this section. The establishment of the assessment and the process for administering the assessment shall not be subject to the requirements of Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.

(2) The bureau shall consult with a California licensed psychologist, psychologists, or other persons with subject matter expertise, whose minimum duties shall include, but are not limited to, assisting the bureau with all of the following:

(A) Establishing criteria for a contract with a vendor to administer the assessment.

(B) Identifying minimum standards for the assessment.

(C) Evaluating currently available assessments.

(D) Providing consultative services on the bids received by the bureau from third-party vendors seeking to administer and interpret the assessment, to ensure both of the following:

(i) Compliance with the applicable standards of care for the administration and interpretation of such assessments.

(ii) The assessment will be administered in accordance with the assessment manufacturer’s requirements.

(3) The bureau shall contract with a third-party vendor to administer the assessment. All third-party vendors seeking to administer the assessment must meet the minimum standards established by the bureau, its consultants, and the assessment manufacturer’s requirements for administering the assessment. Considerations for the third-party vendor contract shall include, but are not limited to, all of the following:

(A) Cost to the applicant to complete the assessment.

(B) Geographic accessibility statewide of the assessment to applicants.

(C) Assessment compliance with the established minimum standards for the assessment and assessment process.

(D) Ensuring an assessment carried out on an applicant complies with the applicable professional standards of care for such assessments, as well as the assessment manufacturer’s requirements for administering the assessment.

(d) Upon the bureau’s verification that the applicant has satisfied subdivisions (a) to (f), inclusive, of Section 7583.23 and upon the applicant’s clearance of a background check by the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to possess a firearm, the bureau shall notify the applicant that he or she is to contact the bureau’s vendor to complete the assessment. The applicant, or his or her designee or employer if the employer voluntarily chooses, shall bear the cost of the assessment.

(e) Within 30 days of administering an applicant’s assessment, the vendor shall directly provide the bureau, on a form and in a manner prescribed by the bureau, the applicant’s assessment results. If the results of the applicant’s assessment indicate that he or she is incapable of exercising appropriate judgment, restraint, and self-control for the purposes of carrying and using a firearm during the course of his or her duties, at the point in time of the evaluation, the bureau shall not issue a firearms permit.

(f) The application shall be deemed incomplete until the bureau receives the applicant’s results of his or her assessment.

(g) The bureau may prescribe, adopt, and enforce emergency regulations, and promulgate regulations to implement this section. Any emergency regulation prescribed, adopted, or enforced pursuant to this section shall be adopted in accordance with Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, and for purposes of that chapter, including Section 11349.6 of the Government Code, the adoption of the regulation is an emergency and shall be considered by the Office of Administrative Law as necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health and safety, and general welfare.

(h) The assessment required pursuant to this section shall be subject to review by the appropriate policy committees of the Legislature. The review shall be performed as if this section was scheduled to be repealed as of January 1, 2020.

(Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 429, Sec. 44. (SB 547) Effective January 1, 2018.)