Alarm CompaniesAlarm Company Operators—conduct of Business, Prohibited Acts and Citations
Section § 7599.30
The director has the power to impose fines on anyone who breaks the rules outlined in this article. These fines are separate from any other actions that might be taken by various government agencies due to the violation.
Section § 7599.31
This rule says that an alarm company operator, referred to as a 'licensee', is always responsible for the actions of their employees—including their qualified manager—if those employees break the rules of this specific chapter while doing their jobs.
Section § 7599.32
If you have a business license and you change any officers, members, managers, or partners, you must inform the bureau within 30 days. All new individuals involved in these roles need to submit applications on specific forms. If any new person has a history that could lead to license denial, the director can suspend or revoke the license. The first time you violate this rule, you might just get a warning, but if it happens again, you could be fined $500 each time.
Section § 7599.33
If you have a business license, you can only operate from the location listed on your license. If you do business from any other place, you could get fined $500 the first time you break this rule, and $1,000 each time after that.
Section § 7599.34
This law requires anyone running an alarm services business in California, be it solo, a partnership, a limited company, or a corporation, to have a valid license specifically in that entity's name. If you're running such a business as a limited liability company, you must have liability insurance to cover any claims due to the services you offer. The amount of this insurance depends on the number of members in the company, with a minimum coverage of $1 million and a maximum of $5 million. You have to provide proof of this insurance to the relevant bureau, and if you don't, your license can be suspended. There's also personal liability for company members if the license is suspended, meaning they can be responsible for up to $1 million in damages. Additionally, each year, the company must report any insurance claims they've had to the bureau by March.
Section § 7599.345
Starting January 1, 2030, businesses that need a license under this chapter cannot operate as a limited liability company, no matter what other laws might say.
Section § 7599.36
This law requires license holders to keep detailed records on each employee, including their name, address, job start date, job position, and termination date. These records must be kept for the duration of employment and for at least two additional years. The bureau can inspect these records and request copies, and if a licensee fails to maintain them properly or respond to requests within 30 days, they can be fined $250 per violation.
Section § 7599.37
This law requires that every licensed company keep up-to-date records showing their employees have completed training on how to arrest someone and use force properly. If a company doesn't do this, they can be fined $500 for each time they fail to meet this requirement. This rule started being enforced on July 1, 2023.
Section § 7599.38
Before an employee can respond to an alarm, a licensee must certify that the employee has completed a training course on arrest powers and using force, or show proof of training from an approved facility. Not doing so can lead to a $500 fine for each instance. This rule started on July 1, 2023.
Section § 7599.39
If you hire someone to be an alarm agent, you have three working days (which is 72 hours from when you first pay them) to either confirm they have a valid registration with the bureau or to have them apply for one. If you don't follow this rule, the fines start at $12 and go up to $50 for more repeated offenses.
Section § 7599.40
If you have a license, you can't let an employee carry a gun or other deadly weapon unless they can prove they're skilled with it. For guns, the employee needs a valid card showing they're qualified to use that specific type of gun. For other weapons, they need a certificate from a training center proving they're skilled. If you break this rule, you could be fined $2,500 each time you do.
Section § 7599.41
This law requires anyone with a business license to keep an up-to-date record of all firearms or dangerous weapons they or their employees have while working. The record should include details like the type, model, and serial number of the weapon, or other identifying information, plus the owner's name. Breaking this rule can lead to a $500 fine for each instance of non-compliance.
Section § 7599.42
If a violent incident involving a dangerous weapon happens at work or is caused by someone working for a licensee, and someone is hurt or killed, or a weapon is discharged, the employer has seven days to report it to the chief. This report must detail the incident, injuries, people involved, and any police investigation. Failing to report can lead to fines, with larger fines for repeated offenses by the licensee or their management and smaller fines for employees.
Section § 7599.43
If a court issues a judgment against a licensed security business or its associates for over $500 related to their work, they must send a copy of this judgment to the chief within seven days. Failing to do so can result in fines that increase with repeated violations.
Section § 7599.44
If you're a licensed business advertising in California, you must include your business name and license number exactly as they're registered with the bureau in all ads. For internet, radio, TV, or billboard ads, you can instead direct customers to your website for this info. If you don't follow these rules, you might have to pay a fine—$500 the first time, and $1,000 for any further violations.
Section § 7599.45
If you have a license or work for someone who does, you can't go into someone's private building or parts of it without permission. If you break this rule, you'll have to pay a $100 fine each time you do.
Section § 7599.46
This law says that if you have a license to operate an alarm company, you can't help someone without a license do work that requires one. If you break this rule, you could be fined $1,000 each time it happens.
Section § 7599.47
This law says that if you have a license, you can't let someone else use it to do business, like advertising or signing contracts, under their own name. If you break this rule, you could be fined $1,000 for each time.
Section § 7599.48
This law says that if you're working at a licensed business and you're an employee or part of the management, you cannot intentionally give your employer or client false information. If you break this rule, you could get fined $100 the first time and $500 for each time you do it again.
Section § 7599.49
If a licensed alarm system installer starts working on an installation, they must finish the job unless they have a valid legal reason not to. If they don't complete the installation without a good reason, they could be fined $100 the first time and $500 for any future times they do this.
Section § 7599.50
This law says that if you have a license to install alarm systems, you must follow the agreed-upon plans and industry standards. You cannot change anything important without getting permission from the owner or their representative. If you break this rule, you could be fined $100 for the first time and $500 for any following violations.
Section § 7599.51
If you have a professional license, you must follow all construction, safety, and labor laws in California—whether they're state laws or ones set by local governments. Ignoring these rules can get you fined: $100 for the first slip-up and $500 for each one after that.
Section § 7599.52
This law states that if a company or person licensed to install alarm systems doesn't properly complete the installation for the agreed-upon price in the contract, they can be fined. The fine is $100 for the first time this happens and $500 for any further incidents.
Section § 7599.53
This law states that if someone who is licensed to install alarm systems intentionally stops working on an installation without a valid reason and neglects to complete it diligently, they could be fined. The first offense carries a $100 fine, and any further offenses cost $500 each.
Section § 7599.54
This California law requires any agreements for installing alarm systems, including leases and service agreements, to be in writing. The initial agreement must contain specific details like the alarm company and agent's contact and license information, work dates, a work description, and a statement about licensing regulation. Also, agreements must warn if they include automatic renewal, explaining the terms and needing buyer acknowledgment. Other necessary disclosures include mechanics' lien laws, payment schedules, and any required permit fees. If work does not substantially start within 20 days, payment is delayed, and fines for non-compliance are outlined.
Section § 7599.55
Section § 7599.56
This law allows contracts for certain services to be made electronically, provided the consumer agrees to use electronic records and signatures. It requires that an identical paper copy of the signed electronic contract be available upon request. Additionally, it permits the cancellation notice and related documents to be sent electronically, overriding some existing Civil Code provisions.
Section § 7599.58
This law states that alarm company operators are not allowed to install faulty alarm systems on purpose, ignore warranty or service agreement terms for repairs, fail to notify owners if they find defects after installation, or neglect any promised services. If they break these rules, they face a fine of $1,000 for the first offense and between $2,500 to $5,000 for each additional offense.
Section § 7599.59
If you hold a license or certain certifications and fail to inform the relevant bureau about a change in your home or work address within 30 days, you could be fined $50 for each time you don't comply.