S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
8556
2021-2022 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
December 13, 2021
___________
Introduced by M. of A. BRONSON -- read once and referred to the Commit-
tee on Economic Development
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 ASSEM-
BLY, 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, BREAK-
IN, 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 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. NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL PREVENT A MUNICIPALITY
FROM IMPOSING ANY FINE, FEE OR OTHER PENALTIES FOR A FALSE ALARM WHEN
SUCH FALSE ALARM IS ATTRIBUTABLE TO, OR CAUSED BY, THE PROPERTY OWNER,
LESSEE, OCCUPANT OR OTHER PERSON OR PERSONS.
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11309-01-1
A. 8556 2
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 COMPA-
NY 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.