2019 -- S 0398

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LC001684

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS - DESIGNERS OF INDIVIDUAL

SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEMS

     Introduced By: Senator Roger Picard

     Date Introduced: February 27, 2019

     Referred To: Senate Commerce

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 5-56.1-4 of the General Laws in Chapter 5-56.1 entitled "Designers

of Individual Sewage Disposal Systems" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     5-56.1-4. Conditions for obtaining a designer's license.

     (a) A designer's license shall be issued to any person who satisfies all the requirements

stated below:

     (1) A completed application for a designer's license along with a reasonable fee shall be

submitted to the licensing authority; all fees shall be deposited as general revenues and the

amounts appropriated are used for the purpose of administering the water and air protection

program.

     (2) The applicant for a designer's license shall be required to pass a written examination,

which may include a field component, administered or sanctioned by the licensing authority for

the applicable class of license. The test assesses the competency and knowledge of the applicant

regarding pertinent subject matter and the application of ISDS regulations.

     (3) The licensing authority shall establish, through regulations, classes of licenses

appropriate to the expertise required for each activity performed by licensed individuals. The

licensing authority shall establish minimum qualifications, education and experience

requirements for each class of license and eligibility requirements for testing. The licensing

authority may waive the requirement of a written examination or any portion of it in the case of a

person licensed by a federal agency or another state having licensing requirements substantially

equivalent to those in Rhode Island.

     (4) No With the exception of subsection (b) of this section, no person may be granted an

exemption to any of the conditions for obtaining a license as provided for in this section on the

basis of past experience or "grandfather" rights.

     (5) The licensing authority shall hold an examination at least once per year.

     (b) Professional engineers who have met all the educational requirements and have been

registered and authorized to practice engineering in the state of Rhode Island by the state board of

registration for professional engineers, shall be deemed to have met all the minimum

qualifications, experience and education requirements for a designer's license under this section

and shall not be required to pass a written examination or to attend or enroll in continuing

education programs as a requirement for the granting and renewal of their designer's license.

     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 - DESIGNERS OF INDIVIDUAL

SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEMS

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     This act would provide that professional engineers who are registered and authorized to

practice by the Rhode Island state board of registration for professional engineers be deemed to

have met the qualifications for a designer's license.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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