Bill Text: NJ A1358 | 2018-2019 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Regulates installation, maintenance, and repair of low-voltage alarm systems.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2018-01-09 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Regulated Professions Committee [A1358 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2018-A1358-Introduced.html
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
218th LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2018 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman JAMES J. KENNEDY
District 22 (Middlesex, Somerset and Union)
SYNOPSIS
Regulates installation, maintenance, and repair of low-voltage alarm systems.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.
An Act regulating low-voltage alarm systems and supplementing Title 45 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. As used in this section:
"Contractor" means a person who is authorized under P.L.1997, c.305 (C.45:5A-23 et seq.) to engage in the business of electrical or alarm system contracting.
"Low-voltage alarm system project" means a project related to the installation, maintenance, inspection, replacement, or service of a new or existing alarm system that is hardwired and operating at low voltage, as defined in the National Electrical Code Standard 70, Current Edition, and ancillary components or equipment attached to such a system, including, but not limited to, home-automation equipment, thermostats, and video cameras.
"Wireless alarm system" means a burglar alarm system or smoke detector that is not hardwired.
2. P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill shall not be construed to impose new or additional licensure requirements in residential premises.
3. Notwithstanding any provision of law, rule, or regulation to the contrary, P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) shall be applicable to all low-voltage alarm system projects for which a permit is required by a local enforcement agency. However, a permit is not required to install, maintain, inspect, replace, or service a wireless alarm system, including any ancillary components or equipment attached to the system.
4. A local enforcement agency shall make uniform basic permit labels, as designed by the Department of Community Affairs, available for purchase by a contractor to be used for the installation or replacement of a new or existing alarm system at a cost of not more than $40 per label per project per unit.
a. A local enforcement agency may not require a contractor, as a condition of purchasing a label, to submit any information other than identification information of the licensee and proof of registration or certification as a contractor.
b. A label is valid for 1 year after the date of purchase and may only be used within the jurisdiction of the local enforcement agency that issued the label. A contractor may purchase labels in bulk for one or more unspecified current or future projects.
5. A contractor shall post an unused uniform basic permit label in a conspicuous place on the premises of the low-voltage alarm system project site, visible from the exterior of the structure, before commencing work on the project.
6. A contractor is not required to notify the local enforcement agency before commencing work on a low-voltage alarm system project. However, a contractor must submit a Uniform Notice of a Low-Voltage Alarm System Project as provided under section 6 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) to the local enforcement agency within 14 days after completing the project. A local enforcement agency may take disciplinary action against a contractor who fails to timely submit a Uniform Notice of a Low-Voltage Alarm System Project.
7. The Uniform Notice of a Low-Voltage Alarm System Project may be submitted electronically or by facsimile if all submissions are signed by the owner, tenant, contractor, or authorized representative of such persons. The Uniform Notice of a Low-Voltage Alarm System Project must contain the following information:
UNIFORM NOTICE OF A LOW-VOLTAGE
ALARM SYSTEM PROJECT
Owner's or Customer's Name
Owner's or Customer's Address
City
State Zip
Phone Number
E-mail Address
Contractor's Name
Contractor's Address
City
State Zip
Phone Number
Contractor's License Number
Date Project Completed
Scope of Work
Notice is hereby given that a low-voltage alarm system project has been completed at the address specified above. I certify that all of the foregoing information is true and accurate.
(Signature of Owner, Tenant, Contractor, or Authorized Representative)
8. After installation, a local enforcement agency may coordinate directly with the owner or customer to inspect a low-voltage alarm system project to ensure compliance with applicable codes and standards. If a low-voltage alarm system project fails an inspection, the contractor shall take corrective action as necessary to pass inspection at no cost to the local enforcement agency, owner, or customer.
9. A municipality, county, district, or other entity of local government shall not adopt or maintain in effect any ordinance or rule regarding a low-voltage alarm system project that is inconsistent with P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill, or require any permits in addition to the uniform low-voltage alarm system permit required by P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).
10. A uniform basic permit label shall not be required for the subsequent maintenance, inspection, or service of an alarm system that was permitted in accordance with P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).
11. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill establishes guidelines concerning the installation of low-voltage alarm systems in the State. Under the bill, a "low-voltage alarm system project" means a project related to the installation, maintenance, inspection, replacement, or service of a new or existing alarm system that is hardwired and operating at low voltage, as defined in the National Electrical Code Standard 70, Current Edition, and ancillary components or equipment attached to such a system, including, but not limited to, home-automation equipment, thermostats, and video cameras. The bill requires that a contractor installing a system purchase a uniform permit sticker from the local enforcement agency for not more than $40. The bill also stipulates that a permit is not required for the maintenance or repair of a low-voltage alarm system or the installation of a wireless alarm system.
Finally, after installation, local enforcement agency may coordinate directly with the owner or customer to inspect a low-voltage alarm system project to ensure compliance with applicable codes and standards. If a low-voltage alarm system project fails an inspection, the bill requires a contractor to take corrective action as necessary to pass inspection at no cost to the local enforcement agency, owner, or customer.
