PRINTER'S NO. 1310

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE BILL

No.

1021

Session of

2015

INTRODUCED BY YUDICHAK, WARD AND FONTANA, OCTOBER 9, 2015

REFERRED TO CONSUMER PROTECTION AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE,

OCTOBER 9, 2015

Section 2. Definitions.

Section 3. Qualifications of registered interior designers.

Section 4. Initial application procedures.

Section 5. Application fees.

Section 6. Proof of registration.

Section 7. Biennial renewal.

Section 8. Public information.

Section 9. Prohibited acts.

Section 10. Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law.

Section 11. Regulations.

Section 1. Short title.

This act shall be known and may be cited as the Interior

Designer Registration Act.

Section 2. Definitions.

The following words and phrases when used in this act shall

have the meanings given to them in this section unless the

context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Bureau." The Bureau of Consumer Protection in the Office of

Attorney General.

"Certificate." A certificate of registration as a registered

interior designer, issued by the bureau which contains a

detailed instructions to the contractor, tender forms, interior

construction documents and specifications.

"Interior construction document." Plans, detailed drawings,

specifications and schedules that define the work to be

constructed as required by law for building permitting. The

plan, detailed specifications and schedules may include, but are

not limited to:

and specifications to illustrate partition layouts.

by an associated consultant and to be used for the

construction of the project.

"Interior design services." The selection, placement and

assistance of nonstructural elements within the interior space

of a building or structure, and the rendering of or the offering

to render designs, consultations, studies, planning, drawings,

contract documents, interior construction documents or other

technical submissions and the administration of interior

construction and contracts relating to non-load-bearing interior

relative to building codes and industry standards.

"Non-load-bearing interior construction." An interior

element or component that does not require design computations

for a building's structure and does not support a vertical load

of a structure other than its own weight, but that may support

loads attached to it such as cabinetry or shelving.

"Reflected ceiling plan." A drawing illustrating a ceiling

design that appears projected downward, including light

fixtures, materials, height designations and changes and ceiling

fixtures that may include placement or location of exit signage,

undertake or agrees to perform code-regulated interior design

services independent of the seal and signature of a licensed

architect or professional engineer.

"Specifications." A detailed, written description of

construction, workmanship and materials for work to be

undertaken.

"Technical submittals." Designs, drawings, specifications,

studies and other technical reports prepared and reviewed in the

course of the professional practice of interior design.

Section 3. Qualifications of registered interior designers.

(a) General rule.--No individual may hold himself out as a

act.

(c) Registration qualifications.--To qualify as a registered

interior designer, an applicant shall:

(i) At least six years of education, training or

(A) A bachelor's degree from an accredited

college or university with a major in interior design

or a related field with 96 semester credits or 144

earned after all education is completed.

(B) An associate's or bachelor's degree from a

nonaccredited college or university with a major in

interior design, including not less than 120 semester

credits or 180 quarter credits, of which not less

than 60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits are

interior design course work and four or more years

(7,600 hours) of work experience in providing

interior design services, with a total of 1,760 hours

earned after all education is completed.

Section 4. Initial application procedures.

The following shall apply:

a form provided by the bureau or electronically via the

secure registration web page on the bureau's Internet website

developed as required by the act of October 17, 2008

(P.L.1645, No.132), known as the Home Improvement Consumer

Protection Act. The bureau may make the modifications to the

registration web page and database that are necessary to

facilitate online registration of interior designers. The

(iii) The applicant's home address and home

(iv) The applicant's driver's license number, a copy

(v) The applicant's business or employer's name,

(vi) The applicant's Social Security number.

(vii) All prior business names and addresses of

(A) The applicant has ever been convicted of a

criminal offense related to fraud, theft, a crime of

deception or a crime involving fraudulent business

practices, as well as a statement whether the

applicant has ever filed a petition in bankruptcy or,

within the last 10 years, received a final civil

judgment entered against the applicant or businesses

in which the applicant held an interest that was

related to interior design services provided by the

applicant.

suspended pursuant to an order issued by a court of

competent jurisdiction and, if so, the current status

of the registration or similar certificate or

license. The statement required by this clause shall

include the same information with respect to any

other business in which the person making application

has ever had an interest.

(xi) Proof of general liability insurance in an

who is registered or licensed as an interior designer in any

other state or political subdivision shall report that

information to the bureau on the initial registration and

biennial registration application. Any disciplinary action

taken in such other jurisdiction shall be reported to the

bureau on the initial registration application or, if the

disciplinary action occurred subsequent to submission of an

initial application, on the biennial registration application

or within 90 days of final disposition, whichever is sooner.

Multiple registrations or licensures shall be noted by the

Commonwealth against such registered interior designer.

Section 5. Application fees.

(a) Amount.--Each application or renewal application shall

be accompanied by a fee of $50. After completion of the

application and payment of the fee, the bureau shall issue the

registered interior designer a certificate of registration

identifying the name of the individual, name and address of the

business and a registration number.

(b) Term of certificate.--A certificate of registration

issued pursuant to this section shall be valid for two years and

may be renewed biennially with the bureau pursuant to the

the money may be appropriated to the Attorney General for

administering and enforcing the provisions of this act and to

protect consumers with respect to registered interior design

services through consumer education and other means.

Section 6. Proof of registration.

(a) Code-regulated interior design services.--A registered

interior designer practicing code-regulated interior design

services within this Commonwealth shall affix a copy of the

interior designer's certificate on an interior construction

official or fire marshal. Documents may be combined with

documents prepared under the seal and signature of other

licensed, certified or registered professionals licensed under

the laws of this Commonwealth performing services within their

authorized scope of practice. Documents may also include the

technical submittals coordinated by the registered interior

designer as required by contract documents.

(b) Advertisements.--A registered interior designer shall

include the registration number in all advertisements

distributed within this Commonwealth.

(c) Applicability.--This section shall apply to all

under section 4, a registered interior designer must provide

certification of successful completion of a minimum of 10

hours of continuing education biennially. Continuing

education activities that satisfy the professional

development requirements include, but are not limited to, the

following:

(i) Completion of accredited college or university

(ii) Completion of continuing education courses