Security Products Exemption in California Right to Repair Legislation a Key Trend Nationally

Updated Oct. 10, 2023

SILVER SPRING, Md. – Following final passage of Senate Bill 244 by the state legislature on Sept. 13, 2023, and signature by California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Oct. 10, 2023, California has become the third and largest U.S. state to adopt “right to repair” legislation broadly applicable to manufacturers of electronic devices.

Due to efforts led by the Security Industry Association (SIA) with support from industry partners, the California bill’s measures specifically exclude alarm and fire protection systems, which cover electronic products provided by security and life safety manufacturers. While such products were not intended to be targeted, the lack of specific exclusions in the measure originally introduced would have put the functional integrity and cybersecurity of security and life safety systems, and the lives of those who depend on them, at risk by forcing manufacturers to make sensitive technical information and other means of compromising systems broadly available. SIA applauds the bill’s author, state Sen. Susan Eggman (D-Stockton), and the California state legislature for acknowledging these concerns and adding provisions early in the legislative process to clearly and thoroughly protect the integrity of these products and the obligations of the industry to its customers.

“Reasonable public policy prevailed in California due to the leadership of Sen. Eggman and the SIA government relations team and industry partners. The message has been clear for some time – right to repair legislation has the potential to create real risks to consumers if applied too broadly,” said SIA CEO Don Erickson. “With careful deliberation and thoughtful policymaking by California leaders,  we hope these concerns will continue to be taken seriously in any jurisdiction considering similar legislation.”

Notably, all states enacting right to repair legislation so far – New York, Minnesota and, with the governor’s potential signature, California – have included provisions that exclude security products.

While SIA is supportive of finding effective ways to extend the life of consumer electronics and reduce electronic waste, the association will continue to work with industry leaders, allied organizations and policymakers across the country to address risks to public safety posed by legislation that does not adequately protect security and life safety systems.

About the Security Industry Association

SIA is the leading trade association for global security solution providers, with over 1,400 innovative member companies representing thousands of security leaders and experts who shape the future of the security industry. SIA protects and advances its members’ interests by advocating pro-industry policies and legislation at the federal and state levels, creating open industry standards that enable integration, advancing industry professionalism through education and training, opening global market opportunities, and collaborating with other like-minded organizations. As the premier sponsor of ISC Events expos and conferences, SIA ensures its members have access to top-level buyers and influencers, as well as unparalleled learning and network opportunities. SIA also enhances the position of its members in the security marketplace through SIA GovSummit, which brings together private industry with government decision makers, and Securing New Ground, the security industry’s top executive conference for peer-to-peer networking.