2020 -- S 2580

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LC004777

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2020

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- MECHANICAL TRADES

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

     Date Introduced: February 25, 2020

     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 exceeding 250,000 BTUs, but must

subcontract the work if it includes new construction.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC004777

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