SB147 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jimmy Holley

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

SB147 requires alarm monitoring companies to verify alarms before dispatch and adds locksmith exemptions, with enforcement by the Electronic Security Board of Licensure.

What This Bill Does

It updates alarm terminology to include Alarm Verification and sets a standard that monitoring companies must try to verify each alarm signal before contacting police. If the first contact fails, a second attempt must be made using a different phone number or electronic address. It adds a new section requiring the board to implement and enforce these verification requirements, and it creates an exemption to the locksmith definition for certain low-income residential lock service providers who do not advertise as locksmiths.

Who It Affects

• Alarm monitoring companies: must implement an alarm verification system and follow the new contact-and-verify procedures, with enforcement by the board.
• Alarm system users/building owners: their alarms will be verified before law enforcement is dispatched, affecting response times and procedures (subject to stated exceptions).
• Law enforcement agencies: dispatch decisions may depend on verified alarm signals, subject to exceptions.
• Locksmiths and individuals performing locksmith-like work: some low-earning residential lock service providers may be exempt from being classified as locksmiths if they meet the criteria.

Key Provisions

• Alarm Verification defined as the reasonable contact attempt by the alarm monitoring company to verify a signal before dispatch, with a second contact attempt using a different number/address if the first fails.
• A new Section 34-1A-11 requiring alarm monitoring companies to use a verification system for all signals, with exceptions for fire alarms, panic/robbery-in-progress alarms, verified crime-in-progress by video/audio, lack of recent signals, or contracts specifying a different calling protocol.
• The Electronic Security Board of Licensure is authorized to implement and enforce these verification requirements by rule.
• An exemption to the locksmith definition is added for individuals whose residential lock service income does not exceed $500 annually and who do not advertise as locksmiths.
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after it passes and is approved by the Governor.

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