69-l Definitions
69-m License required
69-n Powers of the Secretary of State
69-o License after examination; application
69-p License without examination
69-pp Licensed master electrician waiver
69-q Licenses; display; renewal; duplicates
69-r Fees
69-s Suspension and revocation of licenses
69-ss Revocation, suspension, reprimands, fines; unlicensed activities
69-t Hearing on charges; decision
69-u Judicial review
69-v Violations and penalties
69-vv Civil penalties
69-w Official acts used as evidence
69-x Disposition of moneys derived from operation of article
69-y Separability clause
69-z Applicability
 

§69-l. Definitions

As used in this article, unless the context requires otherwise:
 

1. "Department" means the Department of State.
    
2. "Person" means an individual, firm, company, partnership, limited liability company or corporation.
    
3. "Licensee" means a person as herein defined licensed to engage in the business of installing, servicing or maintaining security or fire alarm systems under this article.
    
4. "To engage in the business of installing, servicing or maintaining security or fire alarm systems" means and refers to a person who holds himself out directly or indirectly, as being able, or who offers or undertakes, by any means or method, to install, service or maintain a security or fire alarm system to detect intrusion, break-in, movement, sound or fire.
    
5. "Fee," "examination fee," "license fee" and "renewal fee" mean the fees required to accompany an application for examination or fingerprint processing for or issuance of any license, including any temporary, apprentice or renewal license, pursuant to this article. Such fee shall be non-refundable.
    

§69-m. License required

1. On and after October 1, 1992, no person shall engage in the business of installing, servicing or maintaining security or fire alarm systems or hold himself out as being able so to do unless he is licensed therefor pursuant to this article. Nothing herein shall prohibit a person licensed in accordance with the provisions of this article from employing individuals to assist in the installation, servicing or maintaining of security or fire alarm systems, provided such licensee issues identification cards on a form prescribed by the Secretary of State to each unlicensed individual.
    
2. Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision one of this section, a license shall not be required of a person to engage in the business of installing, servicing or maintaining security or fire alarm systems if such an alarm system is to be installed in a motor vehicle, water vessel or aircraft or is a battery-operated smoke detection device. Furthermore, a property owner or proprietor who purchases or owns an alarm system to be installed by him or his employees onto his property or place of business shall not fall under the provisions of this article.
    

    

§69-n. Powers of the Secretary of State

In addition to the powers and duties elsewhere prescribed in this article, the Secretary of State shall have power:
 

1. To appoint an adequate number of assistants, inspectors and other employees as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this article, to prescribe their duties, and to fix their compensation within the amount appropriated therefor.
2. To examine into the qualifications and fitness of applicants for licenses under this article.
    
3. To keep records of all licenses issued, sus-pended or revoked.
    
4. To prepare a manual of rules and regulations for the conduct of examinations and to furnish copies thereof to persons desiring the same upon payment of a reasonable fee therefor.
    
5. To adopt such rules and regulations not incon-sistent with the provisions of this article, as may be necessary with respect to the form and content of applications for licenses, the reception thereof, the investigation and examination of applicants and their qualifications, and the other matters incidental or appropriate to his powers and duties as prescribed by this article and for the proper administration and enforcement of the provisions of this article, and to amend or repeal any of such rules and regulations.
    
6. To create an advisory committee composed of at least four persons from different areas of the state who have been actively engaged in the business of installing, servicing or maintaining security or fire alarm systems for at least five years prior to their appointment and two persons from different areas of the state, one of whom shall be a fire service official and one of whom shall be a police officer. The advisory committee shall make recommendations to the Secretary of State with respect to the administration of this article.
    

§69-o. License after examination; application

§69-p. License without examination

1. Any person over the age of 18 years who shall present to the Secretary of State satisfactory evidence that he has been actually engaged in the business of installing, servicing or maintaining security or fire alarm systems in this state for at least two years within the period of three years immediately prior to October 1, 1992, shall be entitled to a license under this article without examination, provided that application therefor is accompanied by the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b), respectively, of subdivision one of §69-o of this article and the required annual license fee, is filed with the Secretary of State.
    
2. The Secretary of State shall upon application and without examination, issue a license to any person over the age of 18 years who has been duly licensed by any other state, territory, protectorate or dependency of the United States to engage in the business of installing, servicing or maintaining security or fire alarm systems upon compliance with standards and requirements not lower, in the judgment of the Secretary of State, than those of this state, provided, however, that such state extends similar reciprocity to licensees of this state. Such application shall be accompanied by the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b), respectively, of subdivision one of §69-o of this article and the required license fee.
    

3. (a) If any person, eligible for any license, mentioned in this section, be in the military service at or during the time application for such license is required to be filed and license fee paid, according to the provisions of this section, the period within which said application may be filed and license fee may be paid, is extended in behalf of such person, until three months after the termination of said military service, any provision contained in this article to the contrary, notwithstanding.
   (b) In the case of persons who are or were in the military service and have been or will be discharged under conditions other than dishonorable, the period of two years specified in subdivision one of this section need not be continuous. The length of time such person was engaged in the business of installing, servicing or maintaining security or fire alarm systems before entering the military service may be added to any period of time during which such person was or is engaged in the business of installing, servicing or maintaining security or fire alarm systems after the termination of military service.
    

§69-pp. Licensed master electrician waiver

1. Any person who is licensed by any municipality as a master electrician and who engages in the business of installing, servicing or maintaining security or fire alarm systems within such municipality shall be waived from the provisions of this article upon registration with the Secretary of State in accordance with the provisions of this section.
    
2. Each licensed master electrician seeking a waiver shall register with the Secretary of State on a form prescribed by the secretary. Such form shall include at least: the individual's name and home address, the business's name and address, a listing of jurisdictions in which the master electrician is licensed, a listing of all appropriate license numbers and such other information as the secretary shall deem necessary. No applicant for a waiver shall be required to meet the provisions of §69-o of this article.
    
3. Any waiver shall only apply for engaging in the business of installing, servicing or maintaining security or fire alarm systems in municipalities where such master electrician is licensed. However, should a licensed master electrician for any reason become unlicensed by any municipality, such master electrician shall immediately inform the Secretary of State of such action. The Secretary of State may suspend any waiver granted upon the basis of the master electrician license.
    
4. A master electrician who engages in the business of installing, servicing or maintaining security or fire alarm systems in municipalities where such master electrician is not duly licensed, shall be required to be licensed pursuant to this article.
    
5. A master electrician who is licensed in any municipality within the state shall be deemed to have satisfied the requirements of paragraphs (b) and (c) of subdivision one of §69-o of this article.
    
6. The fee for all waivers granted to any master electrician shall be established by the Secretary of State and shall not exceed $50 every two years. Provided, however, that any person licensed pursuant to this article prior to the effective date of this section shall be exempt from the waiver fee for periods prior to October 1, 1994. Such waiver shall be valid for a two year period and be renewable for two year periods thereafter.
    
7. Any license issued by any municipality establishing a master electrician license after July 15, 1993 shall not be grounds for a waiver pursuant to this section unless the secretary determines that the standards for such master electrician license are not lower than those of this article.
    

§69-q. Licenses; display; renewal; duplicates

1. All licenses shall be for a period of two years.
    
2. No license shall be assignable or transferable except as hereinafter provided.
    

3. (a) A license issued to a limited liability company or to a corporation to engage in the business of installing, servicing or maintaining security or fire alarm systems shall require that such business be operated under the direction and control of at least one member or manager of the limited liability company or a manager or managing officer of a corporation, who shall be required to meet the licensing requirements of this article on behalf of the licensee and who, in the case of a corporation, shall not be required to be an officer of the corporation. If such member, manager or managing officer, who shall have met the requirements of this article, ceases to act in the capacity of member, manager or managing corporate officer for any reason whatsoever, the licensee shall notify the department in writing within 14 days from such termination or cessation. The licensee may continue to conduct the business of installing, servicing or maintaining security or fire alarm systems for a period not to exceed 60 days from the date of such termination or cessation; the period of 60 days aforesaid may be extended upon application to the Secretary of State and for good cause for an additional period not to exceed 120 days; by the end of such period a new member, manager or managing officer must be designated who has met the licensing requirements of this article on behalf of the licensee.
   (b) The limited liability company or corporation shall be liable with respect to all actions taken by its member, manager or managing officer acting on behalf of such limited liability company or corporation.
    

4. A license to engage in the business of installing, servicing or maintaining security or fire alarm systems issued to an individual may be assigned or transferred for the remainder of the license period to a partnership, limited liability company or corporation if such individual is a member of such partnership, a member of the limited liability company or an officer of such corporation at the time of such assignment or transfer. A license issued to a partnership may be assigned or transferred for the remainder of the license period to any one member of such partnership, provided he obtains the consent of all of the other members of such partnership. The application for such transfer or assignment must be accompanied by the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b) of subdivision one of §69-o of this article and by proof satisfactory to the department that the requirements herein provided have been complied with. No assignment or transfer shall become effective unless and until the endorsement has been made on the face of the license by the department and such license, so endorsed, has been returned to the assignee or transferee. All such endorsements shall be made without payment of any fee. A bona fide purchaser of such business from the holder of the license thereof may continue to use the license of the seller for a period of 30 days from the date of the sale, provided there is endorsed on the face thereof the name of the purchaser, the date of the sale, and the signature of the seller and the purchaser; and provided further within five days from the date of the sale, an application, in accordance with the provisions of this article, shall be presented by the purchaser to the Secretary of State for a license to conduct the business of installing, servicing or maintaining security or fire alarm systems.
    
5. Employees of a person licensed to conduct the business of installing, servicing or maintaining security or fire alarm systems shall not be required to be licensed provided that the nonlicensed employee have in his possession an identification card issued pursuant to §69-m of this article. A person licensed to conduct such business shall, however, be required to submit to the department a full set of fingerprints of any employee who assists in the installation, servicing or maintaining of security or fire alarm systems, which shall be forwarded by the department to the Division of Criminal Justice Services to be compared with the fingerprints on file with the division to determine whether such employee has been convicted of a felony involving fraud, bribery, perjury or the theft pursuant to article 140, 155, 160, 165, 170, 175, 176, 180, 185, 190, 195, 200 or 210 of the Penal Law or has a criminal action which has been pending for under one year without a final disposition unless adjourned in contemplation of dismissal. Employee fingerprints will be recorded in such manner as the Secretary of State may prescribe by rule. Such employee's fingerprints shall be taken on a standard fingerprint card approved for fingerprinting by the state Division of Criminal Justice Services and shall be accompanied by the appropriate processing fees in proper form for the Division of Criminal Justice Services. The Division of Criminal Justice Services shall return the fingerprint card and the report of such convictions to the department, who shall then notify the licensee that such employee has been convicted of such felony or has a criminal action pending pursuant to a schedule developed by the division in conjunction with the Secretary of State but not to be implemented prior to September 1, 1994. Upon submission of such fingerprints to the department, a person may be employed on a provisional basis to assist in the installation, servicing or maintaining of security or fire alarm systems. However, such employee may not continue in such a capacity if it is determined that such employee has been convicted of such a felony or has a criminal action pending.
    
6. A license to conduct the business of installing, servicing or maintaining security or fire alarm systems issued to an individual or to a partnership may be used after the death of the licensed individual or co-partner by his next of kin or duly appointed administrator or executor in the name of the estate for a period of not more than 60 days from the date of death of such individual or co-partner, provided that there is endorsed upon the face of the license after the name of the decedent the word "deceased," the date of death and the name of the next of kin, administrator or executor under whose authority the license is being used; the period of 60 days aforesaid may be extended upon application to the Secretary of State and for good cause shown for an additional period not to exceed 120 days. Any license so continued which shall expire during such period of 60 days or the extension thereof may be renewed by the next of kin, administrator or executor for the balance of such period or the extension thereof.
    
7. A license to conduct the business of installing, servicing or maintaining security or fire alarm systems shall be conspicuously posted upon the premises where the licensee is engaged in the business of installing, servicing or maintaining security or fire alarm systems.
    
8. Any license which has not been suspended or revoked, may, upon the payment of the renewal fee prescribed by this article, be renewed for additional periods of two years from its expiration, without further examination, upon the filing of an application for such renewal, on a form and with such additional information as prescribed by the Secretary of State.
    
9. Any person failing to file application and fee for renewal of a license within one year immediately following the expiration of his last license shall pay an additional fee of $60, and if he fails to file application and fee for renewal within two years he shall be ineligible for such license until he shall have again met the requirements set forth in this article.
    
10. A duplicate license may be issued for one lost, destroyed or mutilated upon application therefor on a form prescribed by the Secretary of State and the payment of the fee prescribed therefor by this article. Each such duplicate license shall have the word "duplicate" stamped across the face thereof and shall bear the same number as the one it replaces.
     
11. Notice in writing shall be given to the Secretary of State at his office in Albany by the holder of a license to conduct the business of installing, servicing or maintaining security or fire alarm systems of any change in address of the business or residence of the person engaged in such business together with the return of license, whereupon a properly signed endorsement will be made on the face of the license as to such change and the license then returned to the licensee. A change of address by a licensee without such notice and endorsement of license shall operate to cancel the license.
     

§69-r. Fees

1. The fee for a license to engage in the business of installing, servicing or maintaining security or fire alarm systems shall be $200 plus an amount to be determined by the Division of Criminal Justice Services to cover the cost of the division's fingerprint search and report. For each renewal thereof, the fee shall be $100 plus an amount to be determined by the Division of Criminal Justice Services to cover the cost of the division's fingerprint search and report.
    
2. The fee for taking an examination under this article shall be $15; provided, however, that if the applicant qualifies for a license as the result of such examination, the fee paid for the privilege of taking such examination shall be included in the license fee for the license issued to him thereon.
    
3. The fee for issuing a duplicate license in substitution for one lost, destroyed, or mutilated shall be $25.
    
4. The fee for changing a name or address shall be $10.
    
5. The fees hereinabove set forth shall be those for licenses issued for the license period of two years or fraction of such period.
    

§69-s. Suspension and revocation of licenses

1. A license to engage in the business of installing, servicing or maintaining security or fire alarm systems may be suspended or revoked, or in lieu thereof a fine not exceeding $1,000 per violation payable to the department may be imposed or a reprimand issued by the Secretary of State, for any one or more of the following causes:
    

   (a) Fraud or bribery in securing a license;
   (b) The making of any false statement as to a material matter in any application or other statement or certificate required by or pursuant to this article;
   (c) Incompetency;
   (d) Failure to display the license as provided in this article;
   (e) Violation of any provision of this article, or of any rule or regulation adopted hereunder;
   (f) Conviction of a felony involving fraud, theft, perjury or bribery or other cause which would permit disqualifications from receiving a license upon the original application.
    

2. Whenever the license to engage in the business of installing, servicing or maintaining security or fire alarm systems is revoked, such license shall not be reinstated or reissued until after the expiration of a period of five years from the date of such revocation.
    

§69-ss. Revocation, suspension, reprimands, fines; unlicensed activities.

1. The secretary of state shall, before imposing any fine or reprimand on a person thereof, or before issuing any order directing the cessation of unlicensed activities, and at least ten days prior to the date set for the hearing, notify in writing such person, or the person alleged to have engaged in unlicensed activities, of any charges made and shall afford such person an opportunity to be heard in person or by counsel in reference thereto. Such written notice may be served by delivery of same personally to the person charged, or by mailing same by certified mail to the last known business or other address provided by such person to the secretary of state, or by any method authorized by the civil practice law and rules for the service of a summons. The hearing on such charges shall be at such time and place as the department shall prescribe.
   
    
2. The department, acting by such officer or person in the department as the secretary of state may designate, shall have the power to subpoena and bring before the officer or person so designated any person in this state, and administer an oath to and take testimony of any person or cause his deposition to be taken. A subpoena issued under this section shall be regulated by the civil practice law and rules.

§69-t. Hearing on charges; decision

No license shall be suspended or revoked nor shall any fine or reprimand be imposed until after a hearing had before an officer or employee of the department designated for such purpose by the Secretary of State, upon notice to the licensee of at least 10 days. The notice shall be served either personally or by registered mail and shall state the date and place of hearing and set forth the ground or grounds constituting the charges against the licensee. The licensee shall have the opportunity to be heard in his defense either in person or by counsel and may produce witnesses and testify in his behalf. A stenographic record of the hearing shall be taken and preserved. The hearing may be adjourned from time to time. The person conducting the hearing shall make a written report of his findings and a recommendation to the Secretary of State for decision. The Secretary of State shall review such findings and the recommendation and, after due deliberation, shall issue an order accepting, modifying or rejecting such recommendation and dismissing the charges or suspending or revoking the license or in lieu thereof imposing a fine or reprimand upon the licensee. For the purpose of this article, the Secretary of State or any officer or employee of the department designated by him, may administer oaths, take testimony, subpoena witnesses and compel the production of books, papers, records and documents deemed pertinent to the subject of investigation.
 

§69-u. Judicial review

The action of the Secretary of State in suspending, revoking or refusing to issue or renew a license, or imposing a fine or reprimand on the holder thereof may be reviewed by a proceeding brought under and pursuant to article 78 of the Civil Practice Law and Rules.

§69-v. Violations and penalties

Any person who shall directly or indirectly engage in the business of installing, servicing or maintaining security or fire alarm systems or hold himself out to the public as being able so to do without a license therefor, or who shall violate any of the provisions of this article, or having had his license suspended or revoked, shall continue to engage in the business of installing, servicing or maintaining security or fire alarm systems or who, without a license to engage in the business of installing, servicing or maintaining security or fire alarm systems, directly or indirectly employs, permits or authorizes an unlicensed person to engage in the business of installing, servicing or maintaining security or fire alarm systems, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punishable by imprisonment of not more than six months, or by a fine of not more than $1,000 or by both such fine and imprisonment upon the first conviction and by imprisonment of not more than one year or by a fine of not less than $1,000 nor more than $5,000 or by both such fine and imprisonment upon a subsequent conviction. Each violation of this article shall be deemed a separate offense.

§69-vv. Civil penalties.

Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of law, with respect to violations of section sixty-nine-ss of this article, the secretary of state is authorized, upon the complaint of any person or on his or her own initiative, to investigate and prosecute violations of the provisions of such section by persons not licensed pursuant to this article and may impose a fine of up to one thousand dollars for the first violation; two thousand dollars for a second such violation; five thousand dollars for a third violation; and ten thousand dollars for a fourth violation and each subsequent violation. The attorney general, acting on behalf of the secretary of state, may commence an action or proceeding in a court of competent jurisdiction to obtain a judgment against such unlicensed person in an amount equal to that imposed as a fine.

§69-w. Official acts used as evidence

The official acts of the Secretary of State and department shall be prima facie evidence of the facts therein and shall be entitled to be received in evidence in all actions at law and other legal proceedings in any court or before any board, body or officer.

§69-x. Disposition of moneys derived from operation of article

Examination fees collected pursuant to this article shall be paid into the licensing examination services account pursuant to §97-aa of the State Finance Law. Processing fees for the fingerprint search conducted by the Division of Criminal Justice Services shall accompany the fingerprint cards and shall be deposited into the criminal justice improvement account pursuant to §97-bb of the State Finance Law. All remaining moneys derived from the operation of this article shall on or before the 10th day of each month be paid into the general fund of the state treasury to the credit of the state purposes account therein.

§69-y. Separability clause

If any part or provision of this article or the application thereof to any person or circumstance be adjudged invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, such judgment shall be confined in its operation to the part, provision or application directly involved in the controversy in which such judgment shall have been rendered and shall not affect or impair the validity of the remainder of this article or the application thereof to other persons or circumstances and the legislature hereby declares that it would have enacted this article or the remainder thereof had the invalidity of such provision or application thereof been apparent.

§69-z. Applicability

1. The provisions of this article shall not be construed to limit in any way the authority of a city with a population of 1,000,000 or more to enact, implement and continue to enforce local laws and regulations governing home improvement contractors and their agents or employees that were in effect prior to the effective date of this article, or to enact, implement and enforce any amendments thereto after the effective date of this article.
    
2. The provisions of this article shall govern notwithstanding any other law to the contrary; provided, however, that local law shall govern with respect to inspection of fire alarms by a fire marshall or any other person designated under such local law; and provided, further, that this article shall not be held to invalidate any provision of the laws of this state or any subdivision thereof unless there is a direct conflict between the provision of this article and the provision of such law or unless such law is duplicative of this article, in which case this article shall prevail, except as provided otherwise in subdivision one of this section. Except as provided in subdivision one of this section, no local law shall require any fee or license for the installation, servicing or maintaining of security or fire alarm systems, except that which is provided pursuant to this article.