Toback Proposes Locksmith Licensing Law to protect customers and ensure honesty

Nassau County Legislator Jeff Toback (D-Oceanside) has proposed a local law that redefines the requirements and functions of a locksmith’s license in Nassau County to help ensure that residents can count on trained, qualified professionals and adds more security for the customer.

The new law would make it illegal for anyone to carry on business as a locksmith without a license to do so. It also disallows employees of hotels, apartment houses, office buildings, or other establishments to perform the duties of a locksmith without such a license.

“This law would add a layer of protection for both customers and the locksmiths themselves,” Toback said.

The proposed law was designed as a measure to have some control over locksmiths who are in the unique position to have access to residents’ homes, safes, cars and other valuables. Several safety provisions are included to ensure the honesty and fair dealing toward the general public. According to the legislation, no one without a locksmith’s license can open any lock for which a key or combination may have been lost, change the mechanics or combination of a lock, or make any original keys or other devices to open a lock.

The law also mandates that every licensed locksmith must keep records of any client for whom they open a lock, replace keys, or conduct such business. License-holders must also require proof of ownership by the person requesting a key or lock to be opened.

The new law makes it illegal for manufacturers of locksmiths’ tools to sell such tools to unlicensed people and requires that they report the sale of all locksmith tools to the police department.

Applicants for a locksmith’s license in Nassau County would now have to be able to show proper qualifications as a locksmith and will be fingerprinted and checked for any criminal background.

The proposed law passed unanimously through legislative committees this week and is expected to go before the full legislature for approval sometime in September.