KLS Keeping Law Simple Legislation in plain English

Straight-ahead summaries built from the official bill text. We keep the source links front and center and leave the decision up to you.

Back to California

AB-558 • 2026

Alarm companies.

Alarm companies.

Crime Education
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Flora
Last action
2026-02-02
Official status
From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide specific details on enforcement mechanisms, licensing requirements, or costs associated with the bill's implementation.

Expanding Alarm System Definition

AB-558 changes the definition of 'alarm system' to include video monitoring systems.

What This Bill Does

  • Changes the definition of an alarm system to include video monitoring stations that receive signals from cameras.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Alarm company operators
  • People and businesses that use alarm systems, including those with video monitoring

Terms To Know

alarm system
An assembly of equipment and devices arranged to detect a hazard or signal the presence of an off-normal situation. Now includes video monitoring stations.
state-mandated local program
A state requirement for local agencies to perform certain actions, which may sometimes need additional funding from the state.

Limits and Unknowns

  • Does not specify how much it will cost to implement or enforce.
  • The bill has passed both chambers of the California Legislature but does not have an effective date yet.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-02 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.

  2. 2026-01-31 California Legislative Information

    Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution.

  3. 2025-04-21 California Legislative Information

    In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.

  4. 2025-02-24 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Com. on B. & P.

  5. 2025-02-13 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be heard in committee March 15.

  6. 2025-02-12 California Legislative Information

    Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 558, as introduced, Flora.
Alarm companies.
Existing law, the Alarm Company Act, establishes the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services within the Department of Consumer Affairs and sets forth its powers and duties over the licensure, registration, and regulation of alarm company operators. Existing law prohibits a person from engaging in the activities of an alarm company operator unless the person holds a valid alarm company operator’s license. Existing law makes a violation of these provisions a crime.
Existing law defines the term “alarm system” for purposes of the act to mean an assembly of equipment and devices arranged to detect a hazard or signal the presence of an off-normal situation, and excludes a fire protection system, as specified.
This bill would specify that “alarm system” for these purposes includes a
video system in which an analog or digital video signal travels from the camera to video monitoring stations. To the extent that the bill would expand the scope of an existing crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Download Bill PDF