Chapter 026
2016 -- S 2770 AS AMENDED
Enacted 05/23/2016

A N   A C T
RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- COMMERCIAL WATER FILTRATION/TREATMENT SYSTEM CONTRACTORS

Introduced By: Senators McCaffrey, and Morgan
Date Introduced: March 10, 2016

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
     SECTION 1. Sections 5-20-3, 5-20-4, 5-20-8, 5-20-9, 5-20-10, 5-20-12, 5-20-14, 5-20-
14.1, 5-20-15, 5-20-16, 5-20-19, 5-20-21, 5-20-23, 5-20-24, 5-20-25, 5-20-27, 5-20-28, 5-20-33.1
and 5-20-36 of the General Laws in Chapter 5-20 entitled "Plumbers and Irrigators" are hereby
amended to read as follows:
     5-20-3. "Master plumber" defined. -- (a) "Master plumber", as used in this chapter,
means any person who, as an independent contractor, engages in this state in the business of
installation, maintenance, or repair of plumbing in the building or upon the premises where that
plumbing, as defined in § 5-20-2, is or is to be located, either by contract or agreement with the
owner, lessee, tenant, or agent of those premises or building, or who employs one or more
journeyperson plumbers, one or more plumber's apprentices, or other persons to assist in that
installation, maintenance, or repair work or who performs any acts specified in this chapter for
performance by a "master plumber".
      (b) A person holding a valid master plumbers license under this chapter shall not be
required to obtain an additional license under this chapter to perform master irrigation work or
master water filtration/treatment system work.
     5-20-4. "Journeyperson plumber" defined. -- (a) "Journeyperson plumber", as used in
this chapter, means any employee, except an apprentice plumber as subsequently defined, whose
principal occupation is the installation, maintenance, or repair of plumbing, as defined in § 5-20-
2.
      (b) A person holding a valid journeyperson license under this chapter shall not be
required to obtain an additional license under this chapter to perform journeyperson irrigation
work or master water-filtration/treatment system work.
     5-20-8. Practices for which master's license required. -- No person shall engage in this
state in the business of plumbing as a master plumber, or irrigation as a master irrigator, or
commercial water-filtration/treatment work as a master water-filtration/treatment-system
installer; or as an employer of a journeyperson plumber, or journeyperson irrigator, journeyperson
water-filtration/treatment-system installer or plumber's apprentice, or apprentice irrigator, or
apprentice water-filtration/treatment-system installer; or enter into contracts or agreements for the
installation, maintenance, or repair of plumbing or irrigation systems or water-filtration/treatment
systems; or perform any of the acts specified in this chapter for performance by a master plumber,
or master irrigator, or master water-filtration/treatment-system installer; or advertise or represent
in any form or manner that they are a master plumber, or master irrigator, or master water-
filtration/treatment-system installer; or that they will install plumbing, or irrigation systems, or
commercial water-filtration/treatment systems, unless that person possesses a certificate of
license in full force and effect from the department of labor and training specifying that person as
a master plumber, or master irrigator, or master water-filtration/treatment-system installer. That
person shall carry the certificate on their person at all times while so engaged, and shall affix their
plumber's license number or master irrigator's license number to any contract they execute or bid
filed with any person for their professional services and to any applicable permit required for the
performance of those services.
     5-20-9. Acts for which journeyperson's license required. -- No person shall engage to
work as a journeyperson plumber, or journeyperson irrigator, journeyperson water-
filtration/treatment-system installer or represent in any form or manner that he or she is a
journeyperson plumber, or journeyperson irrigator, journeyperson water-filtration/treatment-
system installer, unless that person possesses and carries on his or her person at all times while
engaged, a certificate of license in full force and effect from the department of labor and training
specifying that person as a journeyperson plumber, or journeyperson irrigator, or journeyperson
water-filtration/treatment-system installer employed by the properly licensed master-permit
holder.
     5-20-10. Work for which apprentice certificate required. -- No person shall engage to
work as an apprentice plumber, unless that person possesses and carries on his or her person at all
times while engaged, a certificate of registration in full force and effect from the department of
labor and training specifying that person as an apprentice plumber, or an apprentice irrigator, or
an apprentice water-filtration/treatment-system installer.
     5-20-12. Corporations and firms engaging in business. -- (a) No corporation, firm,
association, partnership, or other entity shall engage in business, advertise, make application for
and take out permits, bid for work, or represent itself as a master plumber, or a master irrigator, or
master water-filtration/treatment-system installer unless:
      (1) A licensed master plumber, as provided in this chapter, shall be continuously
engaged in the supervision of the entity's plumbing installation, irrigation installation, commercial
water-filtration/treatment-system installation, maintenance, and repair work and the licensed
master is an officer of the corporation, a partner in the partnership, or a similarly authorized
principal of any firm, association, or other entity; or
      (2) The entity possesses a valid plumbing contractor's, or master irrigator's license, or
master water-filtration/treatment-system installer's license duly issued by the department of labor
and training as described in subsection (b) of this section.
      (b) Upon application of any of the entities listed in subsection (a) of this section in form
and substance prescribed by the department of labor and training, and receipt of the fee for the
application and license which shall be equal to the fee for a master plumber's license, or master
irrigator's license or master water-filtration/treatment-system installer's license as described in §
5-20-16, the department of labor and training shall issue the applicant entity a license as a
plumbing contractor, or irrigation contractor, or commercial water-filtration/treatment-system
contractor. The plumbing contractor's, or irrigation contractor's, or commercial water-
filtration/treatment-system contractor's license shall specify the name of the entity holding the
license and shall state that the license holder shall:
     (1) hHave a licensed contractor master plumber, as that term is defined in § 5-20-12.1,
who is continuously engaged in the supervision of the entity's plumbing installation, maintenance,
and repair work and who is an officer of the corporation, a partner in the partnership, or a
similarly authorized principal of any firm, association, or other entity; or
     (2) cContinuously employ at all times while holding the license a duly licensed master
plumber, or master irrigator, or master water-filtration/treatment-system installer as provided in
this chapter, who is continuously engaged in the supervision of the entity's plumbing installation,
irrigation installation, commercial water-filtration/treatment-system installation, maintenance,
and repair work. The plumbing contractor's, and master irrigator's, and water-filtration/treatment-
system installer's license shall entitle the entity holding the license to engage in business,
advertise, bid for work, or represent itself as a master plumber, or master irrigator, and master
water-filtration/treatment-system installer or a plumbing contractor and shall also entitle the
entity to make application for and take out permits through its duly authorized officer or similarly
authorized principal, as well as through the duly licensed contractor master as described in this
section, or the duly licensed master plumber, master irrigator or master water-filtration/treatment-
system installer continuously employed by the entity as stated in this section, as the case may be.
The contractor's license shall not, in and of itself, permit a principal, officer, employee, or agent
of the entity holding the license to individually engage in installation, maintenance, or repair
work as described above unless that principal, officer, employee, or agent is individually licensed
so to do.
      (c) Any work engaged in, advertised for, applied for by permit, bid for, or represented to
be permissible shall be solely of the type for which the licensed master plumber, master irrigator,
or master water-filtration/treatment-system installer who serves as an officer, or similarly
authorized principal, of the entity or who is continuously employed by the entity holding a
plumbing contractor's license, irrigation contractor's, or commercial water-filtration/treatment-
system contractor's license, is duly licensed to perform.
      (d) Any licensed master plumber, master irrigator, or master water-filtration/treatment-
system installer who serves as an officer, or similarly authorized principal of this type of entity, or
who is continuously employed by an entity holding a plumbing, irrigation, or commercial water
filtration/treatment-system contractor's license shall represent the interests of one such entity and
only one such entity at any given time as described in this section.
      (e) In the event that the licensed master plumber, master irrigator, or master water-
filtration/treatment-system installer described in this section ceases to be an officer or similarly
authorized principal of one of the entities described in this section, or ceases to be continuously
employed by an entity holding a plumbing contractor's license for any reason whatsoever, the
entity shall provide written notice of the cessation to the department of health no more than
fourteen (14) days after the effective date of occurrence of the cessation. Any entity so affected
shall provide written notice of the cessation to the department of labor and training specifying the
licensed master plumber, master irrigator or master water-filtration/treatment-system installer
who is replacing the departed licensed master plumber referenced in this section no more than
forty-five (45) days after the effective date of occurrence of the cessation.
      (f) No corporation, firm, association, partnership, or other entity which engages in, offers
to engage in, or represents that it engages in plumbing installation, irrigation system installation,
or commercial water-filtration/treatment-system maintenance, or repair work in the state of
Rhode Island is permitted to incorporate, form, qualify to do business, or otherwise register with
the Rhode Island secretary of state's office until and unless that office has first received a written
confirmation from the department of labor and training that all requisite licenses to be issued by
the department of labor and training have been so issued and remain in good standing.
      (g) Any willful violation of this section is grounds for revocation of license as further
described in § 5-20-27.
     5-20-14. Duties of director. -- The director of the department of labor and training shall:
      (1) Prepare license certificates and issue them in conformity with this chapter;
      (2) Maintain an up-to-date record specifying the names and addresses of licensed master
plumbers and journeyperson plumbers or master irrigators or journeyperson irrigators or master
water-filtration/treatment-system installers or journeyperson water-filtration/treatment-system
installers of this state. That record shall show dates of issuance of licenses and shall be open to
public inspection. Those records shall also show dates of filing of complaints and the nature of
those complaints for revocation of license and the date of, as well as the final order upon, those
complaints; and
      (3) Prescribe standards for what constitutes a recognized college or university, and
determine the conformance to those standards.
     5-20-14.1. Grandfathering -- Licensing of irrigation masters and irrigation
journeypersons without examination. -- Grandfathering -- Licensing of irrigation masters,
irrigation journeypersons, water-filtration/treatment-system masters and water-
filtration/treatment-system journeypersons without examination. -- (a) After July 13, 2001,
and at any time prior to the expiration of twelve (12) months following July 13, 2001, the
authority shall, without examination, upon payment of the fees required in this chapter, issue
through the department of labor and training, division of professional regulation, a master
irrigation license or a journeyperson irrigation license to any applicant who shall present
satisfactory evidence that he or she has the qualifications for the type of license applied for.
Thereafter, in order to qualify for a master irrigation license after the initial "grandfather"
window, the eligible contractor shall be required to pass a written examination and show the
proof contained in this subsection of his or her eligibility.
     (b) Prior to January 1, 2018, the authority shall, without examination, upon payment of
the fees required in this chapter, issue through the department of labor and training, division of
professional regulation, a master water-filtration/treatment-system installer license or a
journeyperson water-filtration/treatment-system installer license to any applicant who shall
present satisfactory evidence that they have the qualifications for the type of license applied for.
After January 1, 2018, in order to qualify for a master water-filtration/treatment-system installer
license or a journeyperson water-filtration/treatment-system installer license, the eligible
individual shall be required to pass a written examination and show the proof contained in this
subsection of their eligibility.
      (b)(c) Satisfactory evidence shall be any of the following that is applicable:
      (1) The owner or owners of an enterprise must have been active in irrigation for the
previous three (3) years; or
      (2) The contractor has previously registered with the contractors' registration board; or
      (3) The contractor has been listed within the yellow pages phone book under "Lawn
Sprinklers" or has advertised irrigation or lawn sprinklers in ads placed elsewhere; or
      (4) The contractor has been incorporated or has been registered to do business with the
state of Rhode Island for the past three (3) years designating irrigation or installing water-
filtration/treatment systems as a provided service; or
     (5) The installer has been employed for the past three (3) years by a contractor that has
been incorporated or registered to do business with the state of Rhode Island designating water-
filtration/treatment-system installation as provided service; or
      (5)(6) Notarized confirmation by three (3) irrigation or water-filtration/treatment-system
contractors .
     5-20-15. Applications for licenses. -- Any applicant for a license as a master plumber,
master irrigator, journeyperson plumber, journeyperson irrigator, master water-
filtration/treatment-system installer, journeyperson water-filtration/treatment-system installer or
an apprentice plumber, apprentice irrigator, or apprentice water-filtration/treatment-system
installer in this state shall present his or her application to the department of labor and training on
the printed form provided for that purpose.
     5-20-16. Qualifications of master plumber or master irrigator -- Application fee. --
Qualifications of master plumber, master irrigator or master water filtration/treatment
system installer -- Application fee. -- (a) No application for a license of a master plumber, or
master irrigator or master water-filtration/treatment-system installer shall be filed by the
department of labor and training, nor is any applicant permitted to take the examination for a
license as a master plumber, or master irrigator or master water-filtration/treatment-system
installer unless:
      (1) The application is accompanied by a nonrefundable application fee of seventy-five
dollars ($75.00), payable to the department;
      (2) The applicant is a citizen or legal resident of the United States; and
      (3) The applicant possesses a certificate of license in full force and effect from the
department of labor and training specifying that person as a journeyperson plumber, or
journeyperson irrigator or journeyperson water-filtration/treatment-system installer licensed as a
journeyperson plumber or journeyperson irrigator, for a minimum of one year. An affidavit must
accompany this application certifying that the applicant was employed by a licensed master
plumber, or master irrigator, or master water-filtration/treatment-system installer during that
period in which the journeyperson plumber, or journeyperson irrigator, or journeyperson water-
filtration/treatment-system installer was so licensed. Completed applications must be filed with
the department at least thirty (30) days prior to the examination date.
      (b) Notwithstanding anything set forth in this section to the contrary, the prerequisites set
forth in subsection (a) of this section may be waived, and the requirements of this section met, if
the applicant submits evidence, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the department of
labor and training, that the applicant possesses the requisite skill, expertise, education,
experience, training, and other qualities or qualifications to take the examination for a license as a
master plumber, or master irrigator, or master water-filtration/treatment-system installer.
     5-20-19. Notice of change of address of licensee. -- Any person who holds a certificate
of license as a master plumber, master irrigator, master water-filtration/treatment-system installer,
journeyperson plumber, journeyperson irrigator, journeyperson water-filtration/treatment-system
installer or an apprentice plumber, or apprentice irrigator, or apprentice water-filtration/treatment-
system installer, shall notify the department of labor and training within thirty (30) days in the
event of change of his or her address from the address specified on his or her certificate of license
as a master plumber, master irrigator, master water-filtration/treatment-system installer,
journeyperson plumber, journeyperson irrigator, journeyperson water-filtration/treatment-system
installer or an apprentice plumber, or apprentice irrigator, or apprentice water-filtration/treatment-
system installer.
     5-20-21. Issuance of license on examination -- Notice to applicants. -- (a) The director
of the department of labor and training shall allow or deny applications for a master plumber's
license, master irrigator's license, master water-filtration/treatment-system installer's license or a
journeyperson plumber's license, or journeyperson irrigator's license or journeyperson water-
filtration/treatment-system installer's license upon the recommendation of the division of
professional regulation, as soon after the examination as is practicable. Each applicant who has
successfully passed the examination and has had his or her application allowed for a license as a
master plumber, master irrigator, master water-filtration/treatment-system installer or a
journeyperson plumber, or journeyperson irrigator, or journeyperson water-filtration/treatment-
system installer, shall have issued and mailed to him or her by the department a certificate of
license specifying that person as a master plumber, master irrigator, or master water-
filtration/treatment-system installer, a journeyperson plumber, or journeyperson irrigator, or
journeyperson water-filtration/treatment-system installer.
      (b) All certificates of license are issued by the department.
     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 master water-filtration/treatment-system installers, and journeyperson plumbers, or
journeyperson irrigators, or journeyperson water-filtration/treatment-system installers 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 master water-filtration/treatment-system
installers and journeyperson plumbers, or journeyperson irrigators, or journeyperson water-
filtration/treatment-system installers 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, or master water-filtration/treatment-system
installer 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, or
journeyperson water-filtration/treatment-system installer 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, or journeyperson water
filtration/treatment system installer 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 dollar-per-month
($12.00) 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.
     5-20-24. License displayed in place of business -- Advertising. -- (a) In every place in
this state within and from which a plumbing, or irrigation, or commercial water-
filtration/treatment business is conducted as specified for a master plumber, or master irrigator, or
master water-filtration/treatment-system installer, there shall be on display at all times a
certificate of license as provided in this chapter.
      (b) Any sign, listing, or advertisement of any type of a master plumber, or master
irrigator or master water-filtration/treatment-system installer shall contain his or her name,
address, and license number. This information shall be included on all trucks used by a master
plumber in connection with his or her business.
     5-20-25. Registration of plumbing and irrigation of apprentices. -- (a) Any person
who has agreed to work a minimum of eight thousand (8,000) hours over a period of time of not
less than five (5) years under the direct supervision and instruction of a master plumber or
journeyperson plumber as an apprentice to learn the plumbing business, and that agreement is
approved by the division of professional regulation, shall be registered for an initial period of one
year, with renewal on the applicant's birthday, by the director of the department of labor and
training and have issued to him or her, upon the payment of a fee of twenty dollars ($20.00), a
certificate showing that person to be a registered apprentice. Every person who continues to work
as an apprentice after the initial one-year registration is required to register again as an apprentice
and pay the fee.
      (b) Any person who has agreed to work a minimum of two thousand (2,000) hours over a
period of time of not less than one year under the direct supervision and instruction of a master
irrigator or a journeyperson irrigator as an apprentice to learn the irrigation business, and that
agreement is approved by the division of professional regulation, shall be registered for an initial
period of one year, with renewal on the applicant's birthday, by the director of the department of
labor and training and have issued to him or her, upon the payment of a fee of twenty dollars
($20.00), a certificate showing that person to be a registered apprentice. Every person who
continues to work as an apprentice after the initial one-year registration is required to register
again as an apprentice and pay the fee.
     (c) Any person who has agreed to work a minimum of two thousand (2,000) hours over a
period of time of not less than one year, under the direct supervision and instruction of a master
water-filtration/treatment-system installer or a journeyperson water-filtration/treatment-system
installer, as an apprentice to learn the water-filtration/treatment business, and that agreement is
approved by the division of professional regulation, shall be registered for an initial period of one
year, with renewal on the applicant's birthday, by the director of the department of labor and
training and have issued to them, upon the payment of a fee of twenty dollars ($20.00), a
certificate showing that person to be a registered apprentice. Every person who continues to work
as an apprentice after the initial one-year registration is required to register again as an apprentice
and pay the fee.
     5-20-27. Grounds for revocation of license. -- The director of labor and training shall
revoke the license of any master plumber, or master irrigator, master water-filtration/treatment-
system installer, or journeyperson plumber, or journeyperson irrigator, or journeyperson water-
filtration/treatment-system installer after a hearing when the weight of the evidence establishes
any one or more of the following specific violations:
      (1) For having obtained, or conspired with others to obtain, a license by inducing the
issuance of that license in consideration of the payment of money or any other things of value, or
by and through a willful or fraudulent misrepresentation of facts in the procurement of the
license;
      (2) Willful violation of any plumbing ordinance, or rules of any city,v or town, or of any
law of this state regulating the conduct of plumbing, or irrigation work or commercial water-
filtration/treatment-system work;
      (3) On account of knowingly aiding or assisting any person to engage in the work
specified for a master plumber, master irrigator, master water-filtration/treatment-system installer
or journeyperson plumber, or journeyperson irrigator, or journeyperson water-filtration/treatment-
system installer when that person does not have a license as provided in this chapter;
      (4) Because of any master plumber, master irrigator, master water-filtration/treatment
system-installer or journeyperson plumber, or journeyperson irrigator or journeyperson water-
filtration/treatment-system installer willfully and fraudulently loaning his or her license to any
other person for the purpose of permitting that person to engage in any plumbing, or irrigation
work or commercial water-filtration/treatment-system work in violation of the provisions of this
chapter;
      (5) If any licensee, as provided in this chapter, is convicted of a felony; or
      (6) On account of any willful violation of any of the provisions of this chapter.
     5-20-28. Procedure for revocation of license. -- (a) No proceedings to revoke a license,
as provided in this section, shall be instituted unless filed with the department of labor and
training within one year immediately following the date, or dates, of violation.
      (b) No license of a master plumber, master irrigator, master water-filtration/treatment-
system installer or journeyperson plumber, or journeyperson irrigator or journeyperson water-
filtration/treatment-system installer shall be revoked or cancelled until after a full and impartial
hearing as provided in this section.
      (c) No hearing for the purpose of revoking any license of a master plumber, master
irrigator, or master water-filtration/treatment-system installer, or journeyperson plumber, or
journeyperson irrigator or journeyperson water-filtration/treatment-system installer shall be held
unless there is first placed on file with the department a verified complaint, in writing, reciting in
the complaint with reasonable particularity, a statement of facts which, if proved, would be
sufficient to constitute a violation of one or more of the specifications for revocation of license as
prescribed in § 5-20-27.
      (d) Upon the filing of a verified complaint, as provided in this section, the department
shall promptly set a date for a hearing of the charges of the complaint which shall be held in the
city of Providence. The department shall promptly, by registered or certified mail, forward to the
licensee charged in the complaint a true and correct copy of the complaint and notification of the
time and place when and where a hearing of those charges is to be held.
      (e) At the time and place fixed in the notification, the division of professional regulation
or upon appeal from the division, the board of plumbing examiners, upon supervision of the
department, shall proceed to a hearing of the charges specified in the complaint. No hearing upon
the charges of the complaint shall be had unless the records of the department contain evidence
that the licensee charged in the complaint has been served with a copy of the complaint and
notification at least twenty (20) days prior to the date of the hearing; provided, that the
appearance of the charged licensee, either in his or her own behalf or by counsel, constitutes
proof that sufficient notice of the hearing was served.
      (f) A complaining party by himself or herself or by counsel may aid in the presentation
of evidence toward sustaining the complaint. Ample opportunity shall be accorded for a hearing
of all evidence and statement of counsel, either in support of or against, the charges of the
complaint. Upon good cause shown the date of the hearing on the complaint may be continued
provided the licensee and other interested parties are reasonably notified about the date of the
continuance.
     5-20-33.1. Enforcement. -- (a) It is the duty of the director of the department of labor
and training and the chief plumbing investigator to enforce the provisions of this chapter. Local
building and plumbing inspectors, involved in the day-to-day inspection of plumbing, or
irrigation, or water-filtration/treatment-system installation, shall assist the chief plumbing
investigator in enforcing the provisions of this chapter. These individuals have authority to
demand the production of the licenses and certificates required by this chapter on any site where
plumbing, or irrigation, or water-filtration/treatment systems are is being installed and have the
authority to investigate, and, where appropriate, make complaints, pursuant to § 5-20-28 or § 5-
20-33, where sufficient evidence has been obtained to sustain a reasonable belief that a violation
of this chapter has occurred.
      (b) The state board of plumbing examiners also has:
      (1) Concurrent responsibility to enforce the provisions of this chapter;
      (2) The authority to demand the production of the licenses and certificates required by
this chapter on any site where plumbing or irrigation is being installed; and
      (3) The authority to investigate, and where appropriate, make complaints, pursuant to §
5-20-28 or § 5-20-33, where sufficient evidence has been obtained to sustain a reasonable belief
that a violation of this chapter has occurred.
      (c) The director of the department of labor and training shall provide identification to the
board members for the purposes of this section.
     5-20-36. Injunctions. -- Violations of this chapter may be enjoined upon a bill of
complaint being filed in the superior court for the county in which those violations have been
committed, by the division of professional regulation or by any association of master plumbers,
master irrigators, master water-filtration/treatment-system installers or journeyperson plumbers,
or journeyperson irrigators or journeyperson water-filtration/treatment-system installers, licensed
master plumbers, or licensed master irrigators, or licensed master water-filtration/treatment-
system installers or by any plumbing inspector. An injunction may be granted by the superior
court after a hearing in open court against any person, firm, corporation, or association which has
violated any of the provisions of this chapter, without regard to whether proceedings have been,
or may be, instituted before the state board of plumbing examiners or whether criminal
proceedings have been, or may be, instituted. No ex parte restraining orders shall be issued in
suits brought pursuant to this section.
     SECTION 2. Chapter 5-20 of the General Laws entitled "Plumbers and Irrigators" is
hereby amended by adding thereto the following sections:
     5-20-3.2. "Master water-filtration/treatment-system installer" defined. -- "Master
water-filtration/treatment-system installer", as used in this chapter, means a person who has
performed in the capacity of a journeyperson water-filtration/treatment-system installer as defined
in §5-20-3.3 for not less than one year.
     5-20-3.3. "Journeyperson water-filtration/treatment-system installer" defined. --
"Journeyperson water-filtration/treatment-system installer", as used in this chapter, means a
person who has performed all phases of a project under the supervision of a master water-
filtration/treatment-system installer licensee for a period of not less than one year. Journeypersons
shall not be permitted to apply for a water-filtration/treatment-system installation permit.
     5-20-4.2. "Apprentice water-filtration/treatment-system installer" defined. --
"Apprentice water-filtration/treatment-system installer", as used in this chapter, means a person
hired to perform all phases of a water-filtration/treatment-system project under the supervision of
a master water-filtration/treatment-system installer licensee or a licensed journeyperson water-
filtration/treatment-system installer for a period of one year.
     5-20-5.2. "Commercial water-filtration/treatment-system work" defined. --
"Commercial water-filtration/treatment-system work'', as used in this chapter, means any
alteration, installation or repair of water-filtration/treatment systems in which the piping exceeds
one and one-half inches (1.5") or the flow rate exceeds eighty (80) gallons per minute.
     5-20-17.2. Qualifications of journeyperson water-filtration/treatment-system
installer -- Application fee. -- No application for a journeyperson's license shall be filed at the
department of labor and training nor shall any applicant be permitted to take the examination for a
license as a journeyperson water-filtration/treatment-system installer unless:
     (1) The application is accompanied with the nonrefundable application fee of seventy-
five dollars ($75.00);
     (2) The applicant possesses a current apprentice certificate for a period of one year before
application for journeyperson water-filtration/treatment-system installer is made.
     5-20-17.3. Applicability. -- Any references to water-filtration/treatment-system work
pursuant to §5-20-1 et seq., shall be solely in reference to commercial water-filtration/treatment-
system work as defined in §5-20-5.2. Nothing herein shall be applicable to residential water-
filtration/treatment systems as defined in §5-65.2-1 et seq.
     SECTION 3. This act shall take effect January 1, 2017.
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LC005156
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