2016 -- S 2126

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LC003858

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- PLUMBERS AND IRRIGATORS

     Introduced By: Senators Archambault, Ciccone, Ruggerio, and P Fogarty

     Date Introduced: January 21, 2016

     Referred To: Senate Labor

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 5-20-23 of the General Laws in Chapter 5-20 entitled "Plumbers

and Irrigators" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     5-20-23. Expiration and renewal of licenses -- Penalties for violation of section. -- (a)

All licenses issued by the division of professional regulation for master plumbers and master

irrigators and journeyperson plumbers or journeyperson irrigators born in odd years shall expire

on the birthday of the individual qualifying for the license in odd years and all licenses of master

plumbers and master irrigators and journeyperson plumbers or journeyperson irrigators born in

even years shall expire on the birthday of the individual qualifying for the license in even years

and all licenses may be renewed on or before their expiration date upon payment of the

appropriate renewal fee.

      (b) Any master plumber or master irrigator who fails to renew his or her license as

provided in subsection (a) of this section may be reinstated by the department on or after the

renewal date for a period of two (2) years, upon payment of the current biennial renewal fee of

two hundred forty dollars ($240) plus outstanding license fees and a twelve dollar-per-month

($12.00) administrative assessment fee for the delinquency period.

      (c) Every certificate of license of a journeyperson plumber or journeyperson irrigator

issued by the department is renewed on or before the licensee's second birthday following the

date of issuance upon payment of a biennial renewal fee of seventy-two dollars ($72.00).

      (d) Any journeyperson plumber or journeyperson irrigator who fails to renew his or her

license as provided in subsection (a) of this section may be reinstated by the department on or

after the renewal date for a period of two (2) years upon payment of the current biennial renewal

fee of seventy-two dollars ($72.00) plus outstanding license fees and a twelve dollar ($12.00) per

month administrative assessment fee for the delinquency period.

      (e) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, any license issued under this

chapter that is not renewed within two (2) years of the date of its expiration is deemed to be

forfeited and the person to whom the license has been issued is required to make written

application for an examination prior to the issuance of a new license.

      (f) Licensed master or journeyperson plumbers shall attend and complete a course of

continuing education at their expense as determined by the board of examiners, but not to exceed

fifteen (15) hours, prior to the renewal or reinstatement of an existing license. The board of

examiners shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this

subsection, including, but not limited to, a continuing education course fee amount consistent

with industry standard.

      (g) Notwithstanding any provision of the general or public laws to the contrary, any

licensed master or journeyperson plumber who has any combination of years of experience as a

licensed master plumber or journeyperson plumber, and, years of age that, when combined, shall

equal a total of eighty (80) years, shall be exempt from the continuing education requirements of

subsection (f) of this section. The board of examiners shall promulgate rules and regulations

necessary to carry out the provisions of this subsection.

     (h) Licensed master or journeyperson plumbers shall attend and complete a course of

continuing education at their expense as determined by the board of examiners, but not to exceed

fifteen (15) hours, prior to the renewal or reinstatement of an existing license. The board of

examiners shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this

subsection, including, but not limited to, a continuing education course fee amount consistent

with industry standards.

     (i) Notwithstanding any provision of the general or public laws to the contrary, any

licensed master or journeyperson plumber who has any combination of years of experience as a

licensed master plumber or journeyperson plumber, and years of age which, when combined,

shall equal a total of eighty (80) years, shall be exempt from the continuing education

requirements of subsection (h) of this section. The board of examiners shall promulgate rules and

regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this subsection.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage shall apply to all license renewals on

or after January 1, 2017.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- PLUMBERS AND IRRIGATORS

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     This act would require master and journeyperson plumbers to complete a course of

continuing education, not to exceed fifteen (15) hours, prior to the renewal or reinstatement of

their license as determined by the board of examiners. An exemption from this course would be

granted to persons who have a total of eighty (80) years, calculated on the age and experience of

master and journeyperson plumbers.

     This act would take effect upon passage and would apply to all license renewals on or

after January 1, 2017.

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