Alarm companies.

Assembly Member Flora's proposal to modernize California's Alarm Company Act expands the definition of alarm systems to include video monitoring equipment that transmits analog or digital signals from cameras to monitoring stations. The measure amends existing regulations overseen by the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services within the Department of Consumer Affairs.

Under current law, alarm company operators must obtain licenses to install and maintain systems that detect hazards or signal off-normal situations, excluding fire protection systems. The proposed definition would bring video monitoring operations under this licensing framework, making unlicensed operation of such systems subject to criminal penalties. Local agencies would assume enforcement responsibilities for the expanded scope of regulated activities without state reimbursement, as the measure creates changes to existing criminal provisions rather than establishing new mandated programs requiring funding under California's constitution.

The bill maintains the Bureau's existing authority over alarm company licensing, registration and oversight while incorporating contemporary video security technology into the regulatory structure. This alignment preserves consistent standards across different types of monitoring systems used by alarm companies in California.