HB253 Alabama 2014 Session

Updated Jul 24, 2021

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Mike Ball
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2014
Title: Alarm systems, alarm monitoring companies, certain verification of alarm signal required, Electronic Security Board of Licensure to enforce, Sec. 34-1A-1 am'd; Sec. 34-1A-11 added
Summary: HB253 would require alarm monitoring companies to verify alarms with two contact attempts and establish enforceable alarm verification rules, while narrowing locksmith definitions in certain cases.
What This Bill Does
Requires alarm monitoring companies to make at least two reasonable attempts to verify an alarm signal before dispatching law enforcement; the Electronic Security Board of Licensure would implement and enforce this requirement. Adds a requirement that alarm signals be verified using a system, with exceptions for fire alarms, panic or robbery-in-progress alarms, or cases where a crime in progress has been verified as true by video or audio evidence. Exempts certain persons from the locksmith definition under specified conditions (income from locksmith services not exceeding $500 annually and no advertising as a locksmith). The board will adopt rules to implement and enforce these changes.

Who It Affects
Alarm monitoring companies: must implement two-contact verification for alarm signals and follow the new alarm verification system rules, under board oversight.
Certain locksmiths: may be exempt from the locksmith definition if their locksmith-related income is ≤$500 annually and they do not advertise their locksmith services.

Key Provisions
Alarm verification requirement: alarm monitoring companies must make two reasonable attempts to verify that an alarm signal is valid before requesting dispatch; if the first attempt fails, a second attempt using a different phone number or electronic address is required.
New section 34-1A-11: the board must require alarm monitoring companies to use a system that provides alarm verification for all signals, with exemptions for fire alarms, panic or robbery-in-progress alarms, or crimes in progress verified by video or audio.
Locksmith definition adjustment: certain individuals may be excluded from the locksmith definition if their annual locksmith income does not exceed $500 and they do not advertise their services.
Board rulemaking: the Electronic Security Board of Licensure will create and enforce rules to implement these provisions.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Electronic Security Board of Licensure