2022 -- S 2979

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LC005832

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- ELECTRICIANS

     Introduced By: Senator Michael J. McCaffrey

     Date Introduced: May 19, 2022

     Referred To: Senate Labor

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 5-6-2.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 5-6 entitled "Electricians" is

hereby amended to read as follows:

     5-6-2.1. Inspection and right of entry.

     (a) The division of professional regulation by and through its electrical investigators or

designees has the right and authority to enter, during times at which electrical work is actually being

performed on any commercial building, structure, or premises where electrical work is being done,

except any building, structure, or premises exempt by law, for the purpose of ascertaining

compliance with this chapter.

     (b) If any owner, occupant, or other person refuses, impedes, inhibits, interferes with,

restricts, or otherwise obstructs entry and free access to any part of the building, structure, or

premises by an authorized investigating official of the division of professional regulation,

department of labor and training/board of examiners, the chief administrator of the division may:

     (1) Seek from any judge of the district court a search warrant in accordance with chapter 5

of title 12;

     (2) Revoke or suspend any license, permit, or other permission regulated by local and state

codes, and applicable to this chapter; notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter; and

     (3) Seek any other remedy as provided by this chapter.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- ELECTRICIANS

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     This act would provide that any owner, occupant or other person that interferes in any way

with an electrical investigator or designee's right of entry for inspection of a building, structure, or

premises may have their regulated license, permit or permission revoked, and would provide the

chief administrator of the division of professional regulation the option of obtaining a search

warrant from the district court to gain access to the building, structure or premises.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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