2019 -- S 0727

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LC002087

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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 LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- MECHANICAL TRADES

     Introduced By: Senators Lombardi, Lombardo, Ciccone, Archambault, and McCaffrey

     Date Introduced: March 21, 2019

     Referred To: Senate Labor

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 28-27-5 of the General Laws in Chapter 28-27 entitled "Mechanical

Trades" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     28-27-5. Practices for which master or contractor license required.

     (a) No person shall: (1) engage in this state in the business of the mechanical trades as a

master or as an employer of the mechanical trades, (2) enter into contracts or agreements for the

installation, maintenance, repair, or servicing in the mechanical trades, (3) advertise or represent

in any form or matter that they are masters or that they will install pipefitting or refrigeration/air

conditioning, or air distribution systems or perform fire protection sprinkler work, unless those

persons possess a valid license issued by the department of labor and training under this chapter.

All masters shall carry this license on their person at all times while so engaged, and shall affix

their master's license number to any advertisement and/or contract they execute and/or bid they

file with any consumer for their professional services and to any applicable permit required for

the performance of those services.

     (b) A person holding a valid master license under this chapter shall not be required to

obtain an additional license under this chapter to perform sheet metal work for repair or

renovation when AC air handling equipment is ten (10) tons or less or when heating equipment

does not exceed 250,000 BTUs. A person holding a valid master license under this chapter can

bid or quote or solicit bids for the installation, maintenance, repair and perform all work and the

servicing of sheet metal work, but must subcontract the aforementioned work to a properly

licensed sheet metal contractor to perform the work only when AC air handling equipment is in

excess of ten (10) tons, or when heating equipment exceeds 250,000 BTUs or when working on

new construction. The subcontractor must secure the proper state or municipal permits for the

work subcontracted to be performed.

     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 LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- MECHANICAL TRADES

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     This act would allow the holder of a valid master mechanical trade license to perform

repair or renovation work on certain large air conditioning equipment but must subcontract the

work if it includes new construction.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC002087

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