What's happening
This bill allows municipalities to fine alarm system companies for false alarms only if the fault is due to system deficiencies or company error.
Why it matters
Shifts responsibility for false alarm fines. The bill clarifies that alarm system companies can only be fined by municipalities when false alarms are due to their own errors, system deficiencies, or equipment issues, rather than when caused by user mistakes or unrelated circumstances.
Protects alarm companies from unfair penalties. By specifying that companies are not liable for false alarms resulting from property owner or occupant actions, the legislation aims to shield alarm businesses from being penalized for factors beyond their control.
May lead to improved industry standards. The focus on equipment quality and proper installation could incentivize alarm companies to maintain higher standards to avoid liability, potentially improving service reliability and consumer trust over time.
Potential impact on municipal revenue and enforcement. Municipalities may collect fewer fines from alarm companies, shifting enforcement and penalty collection more toward individual property owners and reducing the risk of over-penalizing service providers.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Limit False Alarm Fines
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 42
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Recommit, enacting clause stricken
- Referred to consumer protection
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Limit False Alarm Fines
Signed by Governor · Sponsor Harry B. Bronson
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
249
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 8, 2025
Introduced by Sens. SKOUFIS, COONEY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Consumer Protection
AN ACT to amend the general business law, in relation to fines for false alarms by an alarm system
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 69-l of the general business law is amended by adding four new subdivisions 6, 7, 8 and 9 to read as follows:
6. "Alarm system" means a system installed to detect intrusion, breakin, movement, sound or fire.
7. "False alarm" means the activation of any alarm system that results in a request for police or fire or other emergency for which the responding public safety agency finds no evidence of criminal activity, fire, or emergency.
8. "Municipality" means a county, town, city or village.
9. "Alarm system company" means a company licensed to engage in the business of installing, servicing, or maintaining security or fire alarm systems pursuant to this article.
§ 2. The general business law is amended by adding a new section 69-vvv to read as follows:
§ 69-vvv. Fines for false alarms. 1. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a municipality may enact, adopt or enforce any ordinance, resolution or regulation requiring any alarm system company to pay for or be responsible for any fines, fees or other penalties relative to false alarms only when the false alarm is attributed to a deficiency in the alarm system or an error of the alarm system company or central station. Nothing in this section shall prevent a municipality from imposing any fine, fee or other penalties for a false alarm when
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00393-01-5
such false alarm is attributable to, or caused by, the property owner, lessee, occupant or other person or persons.
2. An alarm company operator or an alarm agent shall not be liable for civil penalties and fines assessed or imposed by a municipality for false alarms not attributed to alarm company operator error, improper installation of the alarm system by an alarm agent or an alarm company operator, defective equipment provided or installed by an alarm agent or an alarm company operator, defective equipment leased by an alarm company operator, or equipment that was not deficient upon installation or provision for use to the end-user but resulted in a deficiency due to normal wear and tear.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the general business law, in relation to fines for false alarms by an alarm system
Purpose
To permit the imposition of fines on alarm system companies solely for false alarms resulting from deficiencies in the alarm system, errors by the alarm system company, or mistakes made by the central monitoring station.
Summary of provisions
Section 1: Amends section 69-1 of the general business law to add new subdivisions 6, 7, 8, and 9.
Section 2: Amends the general business law by adding a new section 69-vvv, permitting a municipality to enact, adopt, or enforce any ordi- nance, resolution, or regulation requiring any alarm system company to pay for or be responsible for any fines, fees, or other penalties rela- tive to false alarms only when the false alarm is attributed to a defi- ciency in the alarm system or an error of the alarm system company or central station. An alarm company operator or an alarm agent shall not be liable for civil penalties and fines assessed or imposed by a city, county, or city and county for false alarms not attributed to alarm company operator error, improper installation of the alarm system by an alarm agent or an alarm company operator, defective equipment provided or installed by an alarm agent or an alarm company operator, defective equipment leased by an alarm company operator, or equipment that was not deficient upon installation or provision for use to the end-user but resulted in a deficiency due to normal wear and tear.
Section 3: Sets effective date.
Justification
An increasing concern is the imposition of fines on alarm companies by local laws and ordinances for false alarms, even when the alarms are caused by user error and not the fault of the alarm company. This legislation will ensure that alarm companies may only be fined for false alarms directly attributed to deficiencies in the alarm system, errors by the alarm system company, or an error made by the central monitoring station.
Legislative history
Senate
2021: S6663, Referred to Consumer Protection
2022: S6633, Referred to Consumer Protection
2023: S5202, Referred to Consumer Protection
2024: S2502, Referred to Consumer Protection Assembly
2021:A8556,Referred to Economic Development
2022:A8556,Referred to Economic Development
2023:A2477,Passed Assembly
2024:A2477,Passed Assembly
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.