What's been going on at Harris Investigations, LLC lately

I will be the first to admit that i haven't done a blog in many moons and for that I am sorry. We have had full timers and part timers in and out. Charlie is now a license holder in Maryland. Charlie and I are on the way to becoming Notaries in New Jersey. We bought Jess back as a part time office helper, process server, surveillance operative and much more. Herb, Pop, Rob, Don and Joe are still around. Tom took over the Pittsburgh Office full time with his lovely wife Teri. This allows Charlie and I to concentrate on the eastern side of PA as well as all of NJ, DE and MD. Anna recently signed on as our interpreter in both Spanish and Italian and already translating documents. She graduated Lansdale School of Business in August but the ceremony is not until May. She is a certified paralegal. We moved a year ago to a bigger office in the same building. We are new sponsors of NALS of Philadelphia. Facebook accounts are up and running for all our offices with new friends every day. My Hope is to blog once a week about something, the week we are having, what new we found out something. Please follow my blog, comment, give us suggestions.. thanks!! www.harrisinvestigations.net

Proposed Process Serving Legislation for 2013 Arizona http://legiscan.com/AZ/text/SB1054 - Recently Introduced Arizona Bill appears to allow AZ Certified Process Servers access to DMV records in certain circumstances http://legiscan.com/AZ/text/SB1055 - Recently Introduced Arizona Bill appears to allow process servers unannounced access to gated communities Georgia http://legiscan.com/GA/bill/SB113 - Georgia Bill would amend certain provisions relating to personal service of a summons on a corporation; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws Hawaii http://legiscan.com/HI/bill/SB1015 - Recently Introduced Hawaii Bill SB 1015- The purpose and intent of this measure is to clarify the reciprocity provision under existing law that allows the service of process issued by another state upon a Hawaii recipient. http://openstates.org/hi/bills/2013%20Regular%20Session/SB1182/documents/HID00050152/ - This Hawaii Bill SB 1182 would make clear who can serve Writs and includes language that allow "or other person authorized by the court" which as I read the bill would mean private process servers. http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2013/bills/SB1182_SD1_.pdf - Very Interesting Bill in Hawaii Bill SB 1182 - I Illinois http://legiscan.com/IL/bill/SB1724 - Illinois Bill SB1724 Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that if a person, corporation, or agent or officer of a corporation uses a post office box as a principal mailing address, service of process may be effectuated by having the person serving the process mail a copy of the process via both regular and certified mail. Kansas http://legiscan.com/KS/bill/HB2116 - Here is a recently introduced House Bill 2116 in Kansas that would make me nervous if I were a Process Server there... This bill appears to allow electronic service of civil process in certain circumstances... Maryland http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2013RS/fnotes/bil_0002/hb0192.pdf - Maryland House Bill 192 - Service of Process Bill would Increase Sheriff's Fees http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2013RS/bills/sb/sb0554F.pdf - Maryland Bill SB 0554F Private Process Service – Licensing and Certification Massachusetts http://legiscan.com/MA/text/S1129 - Recently Introduced Bill S1129 in Massachusetts would reform civil process operations for Sheriffs. Mississippi http://legiscan.com/MS/bill/HB233 - Mississippi Bill HB 233 would allow Sheriffs to charge reasonable expenses to serve process... Not to Exceed $45.00 Montana http://legiscan.com/MT/text/SB331 - Recently Introduced Montana Bill SB 331would allow process servers limited access to private property to execute service of process. New Hampshire http://nhliberty.org/bills/view/2013/SB139 - Recently Introduced Bill SB 139 in New Hampshire appears to raise Sheriffs Fees to Serve Process http://www.nhliberty.org/bills/view/2013/HB596 - Another Bill HB 596 in New Hampshire would eliminate Service by Leaving the Documents at the subjects abode (sub-service). In the alternative the documents wound be mailed by certified mail. New York http://open.nysenate.gov/legislation/bill/A633-2013?goback=.nmp_%2A1_%2A1_%2A1_%2A1_%2A1_%2A1_%2A1_%2A1_%2A1.gmp_1447297.gde_1447297_member_214905217 – New York Bill A-663 AN ACT to amend the general business law and the civil practice law and rules, in relation to process servers. This one would regulate process servers throughout the state. Oklahoma http://legiscan.com/OK/bill/HB1084 - Oklahoma Bill HB 1084 would place a few new requirements upon individuals applying to be private process servers http://legiscan.com/OK/bill/HB2207 Oklahoma Bill HB 2207 would allow service by publication to be posted to a court controlled website. Texas http://legiscan.com/TX/text/HB233/id/670596 - Texas Bill HB 233 - A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT - relating to the creation of the offense of obstruction of or retaliation against a process server. http://legiscan.com/TX/bill/HB532 - Texas Bill HB 532 - relating to the creation of the offense of obstruction of or retaliation against a process server. http://www.texasprocesswatch.com/files/HB1391.pdf - Texas Bill HB 1391 -Recently introduced Bill in Texas - H.B.1391 appears to simplify the rules that govern who can serve process. Those making money from the required certification programs and that sit of the PSRB are probably not going to support it. Utah http://le.utah.gov/~2013/bills/hbillint/hb0235.pdf - Recently Introduced Bill HB 0235 in Utah prohibits a sex offender or a person with a current protective order from serving process issued by a court. Makes me wonder if any other felons can serve process in Utah... Virginia http://legiscan.com/VA/bill/SB895 - Virginia Bill SB 895 recently Defeated would have allowed Service on a agents for service of process by posting on the agents door. http://legiscan.com/VA/text/HB1754/id/679118- Virginia HOUSE BILL NO. 1754 would reduce the number of days allowed for Service of Process after the commencement of a new action. Currently twelve months are allowed. This Bill would reduce it to 90 days. Washington http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2013-14/Pdf/Bill%20Reports/House/1131%20HBA%20PS%2013.pdf – Washington Bill Recently Introduced State HB 1131 Brief Description: Makes assault of a legal process server an Assault in the third degree offense.

Proposed Process Serving Legislation for 2013

Proposed Process Serving Legislation for 2013 Arizona http://legiscan.com/AZ/text/SB1054 - Recently Introduced Arizona Bill appears to allow AZ Certified Process Servers access to DMV records in certain circumstances http://legiscan.com/AZ/text/SB1055 - Recently Introduced Arizona Bill appears to allow process servers unannounced access to gated communities Georgia http://legiscan.com/GA/bill/SB113 - Georgia Bill would amend certain provisions relating to personal service of a summons on a corporation; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws Hawaii http://legiscan.com/HI/bill/SB1015 - Recently Introduced Hawaii Bill SB 1015- The purpose and intent of this measure is to clarify the reciprocity provision under existing law that allows the service of process issued by another state upon a Hawaii recipient. http://openstates.org/hi/bills/2013%20Regular%20Session/SB1182/documents/HID00050152/ - This Hawaii Bill SB 1182 would make clear who can serve Writs and includes language that allow "or other person authorized by the court" which as I read the bill would mean private process servers. Problem is it is my understanding that the courts ...in Hawaii have not formally defined how a court authorizes private process servers. See Bill SB1182 for the solution to the problem. http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2013/bills/SB1182_SD1_.pdf - Very Interesting Bill in Hawaii Bill SB 1182 - I wonder is Process Servers in Hawaii know... The legislature finds that process servers play an important role in facilitating a timely judicial process and protecting public safety. Civil process servers... in Hawaii are not required to obtain a license. In light of ongoing concerns regarding service of process, the legislature finds that the department of public safety should more clearly define and delineate the duties and responsibilities of process servers under its jurisdiction and examine ways of certifying and registering its process servers. The purpose of this Act is to require the department of public safety to convene a working group to clarify the duties and responsibilities of process servers under the department's jurisdiction, create a process of registration and certification of process servers, and address other relevant issues. Illinois http://legiscan.com/IL/bill/SB1724 - Illinois Bill SB1724 Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that if a person, corporation, or agent or officer of a corporation uses a post office box as a principal mailing address, service of process may be effectuated by having the person serving the process mail a copy of the process via both regular and certified mail. Kansas http://legiscan.com/KS/bill/HB2116 - Here is a recently introduced House Bill 2116 in Kansas that would make me nervous if I were a Process Server there... This bill appears to allow electronic service of civil process in certain circumstances... Someone correct me if I am wrong but I think Kansas already allows various forms of Electronic Service for Garnishments. Here is the interesting language: "When a case is electronically filed and process is to be served under this subsection, the chief judge of each judicial district shall determine the procedure for service of process through an agreement with a local enforcement agency." Maryland http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2013RS/fnotes/bil_0002/hb0192.pdf - Maryland House Bill 192 - Service of Process Bill would Increase Sheriff's Fees http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2013RS/bills/sb/sb0554F.pdf - Maryland Bill SB 0554F Private Process Service – Licensing and Certification Massachusetts http://legiscan.com/MA/text/S1129 - Recently Introduced Bill S1129 in Massachusetts would reform civil process operations for Sheriffs. Mississippi http://legiscan.com/MS/bill/HB233 - Mississippi Bill HB 233 would allow Sheriffs to charge reasonable expenses to serve process... Not to Exceed $45.00 Montana http://legiscan.com/MT/text/SB331 - Recently Introduced Montana Bill SB 331would allow process servers limited access to private property to execute service of process. New Hampshire http://nhliberty.org/bills/view/2013/SB139 - Recently Introduced Bill SB 139 in New Hampshire appears to raise Sheriffs Fees to Serve Process http://www.nhliberty.org/bills/view/2013/HB596 - Another Bill HB 596 in New Hampshire would eliminate Service by Leaving the Documents at the subjects abode (sub-service). In the alternative the documents wound be mailed by certified mail. I wonder if New Hampshire Process Servers know about it. New York http://open.nysenate.gov/legislation/bill/A633-2013?goback=.nmp_%2A1_%2A1_%2A1_%2A1_%2A1_%2A1_%2A1_%2A1_%2A1.gmp_1447297.gde_1447297_member_214905217 – New York Bill A-663 AN ACT to amend the general business law and the civil practice law and rules, in relation to process servers. This one would regulate process servers throughout the state. Oklahoma http://legiscan.com/OK/bill/HB1084 - Oklahoma Bill HB 1084 would place a few new requirements upon individuals applying to be private process servers http://legiscan.com/OK/bill/HB2207 - Oklahoma Bill HB 2207 would allow service by publication to be posted to a court controlled website. Texas http://legiscan.com/TX/text/HB233/id/670596 - Texas Bill HB 233 - A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT - relating to the creation of the offense of obstruction of or retaliation against a process server. http://legiscan.com/TX/bill/HB532 - Texas Bill HB 532 - relating to the creation of the offense of obstruction of or retaliation against a process server. http://www.texasprocesswatch.com/files/HB1391.pdf - Texas Bill HB 1391 -Recently introduced Bill in Texas - H.B.1391 appears to simplify the rules that govern who can serve process. Those making money from the required certification programs and that sit of the PSRB are probably not going to support it. Utah http://le.utah.gov/~2013/bills/hbillint/hb0235.pdf - Recently Introduced Bill HB 0235 in Utah prohibits a sex offender or a person with a current protective order from serving process issued by a court. Makes me wonder if any other felons can serve process in Utah... Virginia http://legiscan.com/VA/bill/SB895 - Virginia Bill SB 895 recently Defeated would have allowed Service on a agents for service of process by posting on the agents door. http://legiscan.com/VA/text/HB1754/id/679118- Virginia HOUSE BILL NO. 1754 would reduce the number of days allowed for Service of Process after the commencement of a new action. Currently twelve months are allowed. This Bill would reduce it to 90 days. Washington http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2013-14/Pdf/Bill%20Reports/House/1131%20HBA%20PS%2013.pdf – Washington Bill Recently Introduced State HB 1131 Brief Description: Makes assault of a legal process server an Assault in the third degree offense.