S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   7948
 
                        2019-2020 Regular Sessions
 
                           I N  A S S E M B L Y
 
                               May 29, 2019
                                ___________
 
 Introduced by M. of A. CRESPO -- read once and referred to the Committee
   on Economic Development
 
 AN  ACT  to  amend  the  general  business  law,  in  relation  to  fire
   suppression systems and licensing professionals to perform  authorized
   work on fire suppression systems

   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1. Legislative intent. (a) The legislature hereby finds that:
   (1) The manner in which fire  suppression  or  sprinkler  systems  are
 constructed,  installed,  maintained  and  inspected  have  a direct and
 substantial impact on public safety.
   (2) Improper construction, installation, maintenance or inspection  of
 fire suppression systems by persons lacking adequate education, training
 and experience can lead to serious injuries, death and substantial prop-
 erty damage.
   (3)  Promulgating  a code establishing minimum qualification standards
 for work performed on fire suppressions systems, including criteria  for
 the  education,  training,  testing  and licensing of persons performing
 such work will promote public safety.
   (b) It is the intent of the legislature and this act:
   (1) To ensure that work on fire suppression systems  is  performed  by
 persons  who  have sufficient education, training and experience in such
 work.
   (2) To ensure that adequate  qualification  standards  are  maintained
 through  adherence  of proper education, training, testing and licensing
 requirements for those engaged in the sprinkler fitting trades.
   (3) To establish a state board of examiners for the sprinkler  fitting
 industry  to  ensure  proper  qualification  and  examination of persons
 performing work on fire suppression systems and to ensure proper  adher-
 ence  to  and enforcement of the requirements of this act and applicable
 regulations issued pursuant to this act.
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
              

                                                            LBD09915-03-9

 A. 7948                             2
 
   § 2. The general business law is amended by adding a new article 40 to
 read as follows:
                                ARTICLE 40
                         FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS
 SECTION 900. DEFINITIONS.
         901. AUTHORIZED WORK ON FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS.
         902. STATE  BOARD  OF EXAMINERS FOR THE SPRINKLER FITTING INDUS-
                TRY.
         903. POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE STATE BOARD OF EXAMINERS  FOR  THE
                SPRINKLER FITTING INDUSTRY.
         904. SPRINKLER FITTER LICENSE.
         905. SPRINKLER FITTER APPRENTICE AND HELPER PERMITS.
         906. FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM INSPECTOR.
         907. RECIPROCITY.
         908. TRANSITIONAL GRACE PERIOD.
         909. REGISTRY OF SPRINKLER FITTER LICENSES AND PERMITS.
         910. VIOLATIONS.
         911. PENALTIES.
         912. ENFORCEMENT.
         913. SEVERABILITY.
   §  900.  DEFINITIONS.  AS  USED  IN  THIS  ARTICLE, UNLESS THE CONTEXT
 REQUIRES OTHERWISE:
   (A) "FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM" MEANS  AN  AUTOMATIC  OR  MANUAL  SYSTEM
 DESIGNED  TO PROTECT OCCUPANTS AND/OR BUILDINGS OR STRUCTURES FROM FIRE.
 SUCH SYSTEMS INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED  TO,  WATER  SPRINKLER,  WATER
 SPRAY, FOAM-WATER, FOAM-WATER SPRAY, CARBON DIOXIDE, FOAM EXTINGUISHING,
 DRY  CHEMICAL, WET CHEMICAL, HALOGENATED AND OTHER CHEMICAL SYSTEMS USED
 FOR FIRE PROTECTION. SUCH SYSTEMS ALSO INCLUDE THE  SUPPLY  MAINS,  YARD
 HYDRANTS,  STANDPIPES,  TANK  HEATERS,  HOSE  CONNECTIONS  TO  SPRINKLER
 SYSTEMS, AIR LINES AND THERMAL SYSTEMS USED IN  CONNECTION  WITH  SPRIN-
 KLERS AND PUMPS DEDICATED FOR FIRE SUPPRESSION.
   (B)  "FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM INSPECTOR" MEANS A PERSON LICENSED UNDER
 THIS ARTICLE TO PERFORM INSPECTIONS ON FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS.
   (C) "FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM INSPECTOR LICENSE" MEANS A LICENSE ISSUED
 TO A FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM INSPECTOR PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE  AUTHOR-
 IZING THE PERSON TO PERFORM INSPECTIONS ON FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS.
   (D)  "SPRINKLER  FITTER"  MEANS  A PERSON, OTHER THAN AN APPRENTICE OR
 HELPER REGULATED UNDER  THIS  ARTICLE,  WHO  PERFORMS  WORK  ON  A  FIRE
 SUPPRESSION SYSTEM AS DEFINED BY THIS SECTION.
   (E)  "SPRINKLER FITTER APPRENTICE" MEANS A PERSON WHO IS ENROLLED IN A
 SPRINKLER FITTER APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM AND IS LEARNING AND  WORKING  ON
 FIRE  SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF ANOTHER PERSON CERTI-
 FIED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ARTICLE.
   (F) "SPRINKLER FITTER APPRENTICE PERMIT" MEANS A PERMIT ISSUED  TO  AN
 APPRENTICE  SPRINKLER  FITTER  PURSUANT  TO THIS ARTICLE AUTHORIZING THE
 PERSON TO PERFORM WORK ON FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS.
   (G) "SPRINKLER FITTER APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM" MEANS AN  APPRENTICESHIP
 TRAINING  PROGRAM  THAT  IS  APPROVED  BY  THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR,
 BUREAU OF APPRENTICESHIP AND TRAINING OR A STATE  APPRENTICESHIP  AGENCY
 AND  CONSISTS OF A MINIMUM OF TEN THOUSAND HOURS OF DOCUMENTED PRACTICAL
 EXPERIENCE IN WORK ON FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS, COMBINED WITH A  MINIMUM
 OF  SEVEN  HUNDRED TWENTY HOURS OF RELATED INSTRUCTION, INCLUDING CLASS-
 ROOM OR SHOP INSTRUCTION, IN THE SPRINKLER FITTER TRADE.
   (H) "SPRINKLER FITTER  HELPER"  MEANS  A  PERSON  WHO  WORKS  ON  FIRE
 SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS UNDER THE DIRECT SUPERVISION OF A LICENSED SPRINKLER
 FITTER.

 A. 7948                             3

   (I) "SPRINKLER FITTER HELPER PERMIT" MEANS A PERMIT ISSUED TO A SPRIN-
 KLER  FITTER  HELPER  PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE AUTHORIZING THE PERSON TO
 PERFORM WORK ON FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS UNDER THE DIRECT SUPERVISION OF
 A LICENSED SPRINKLER FITTER.
   (J)  "SPRINKLER  FITTER LICENSE" MEANS A LICENSE ISSUED TO A SPRINKLER
 FITTER PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE AUTHORIZING THE PERSON TO  PERFORM  WORK
 ON FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS.
   (K)  "STATE  BOARD OF EXAMINERS FOR THE SPRINKLER FITTING INDUSTRY" OR
 "BOARD" MEANS THE BOARD OF EXAMINERS CREATED PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE.
   (L) "WORK ON  A  FIRE  SUPPRESSION  SYSTEM"  MEANS  THE  CONSTRUCTION,
 INSTALLATION,  ALTERATION, RENOVATION, REMOVAL, REPAIR, SERVICING, MAIN-
 TENANCE OR TESTING OF  FIRE  SUPPRESSION  SYSTEMS,  UNLESS  SPECIFICALLY
 EXCLUDED BY THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ARTICLE.
   §  901.  AUTHORIZED  WORK  ON  FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS. (A) NO PERSON
 WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF  THIS  STATE  MAY  PERFORM  WORK  ON  A  FIRE
 SUPPRESSION SYSTEM UNLESS HE OR SHE:
   (1)  POSSESSES A SPRINKLER FITTER LICENSE, SPRINKLER FITTER APPRENTICE
 OR HELPER PERMIT OR FIRE SUPPRESSION  SYSTEM  INSPECTOR  LICENSE  ISSUED
 PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE;
   (2) PERFORMS WORK ON PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS OR WORK ON DRY STAND-
 PIPES THAT ARE NOT CONNECTED TO A FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM; OR
   (3) IS EMPLOYED AS A STATE OR LOCAL FIRE OFFICIAL.
   (B)  NO  PERSON  MAY  EMPLOY  A  PERSON OR CAUSE OR DIRECT A PERSON TO
 PERFORM WORK ON A FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM UNLESS THE  PERSON  PERFORMING
 SUCH WORK POSSESSES A SPRINKLER FITTER LICENSE, SPRINKLER FITTER APPREN-
 TICE  OR  HELPER  PERMIT  OR  FIRE  SUPPRESSION SYSTEM INSPECTOR LICENSE
 ISSUED PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE.
   (C) NO PERSON, CORPORATION, PARTNERSHIP OR OTHER BUSINESS  ENTITY  MAY
 PERFORM  OR  CONTRACT TO PERFORM WORK ON FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS EXCEPT
 THROUGH PERSONS WHO POSSESS A SPRINKLER FITTER LICENSE, SPRINKLER FITTER
 APPRENTICE OR HELPER PERMIT OR FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM INSPECTOR LICENSE
 ISSUED PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE.
   (D) THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS ARTICLE DO NOT  APPLY  TO  WORK  ON  FIRE
 SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS IN NEW YORK CITY, NASSAU COUNTY OR SUFFOLK COUNTY.
   (E) NOTHING IN THIS ARTICLE SHALL PREVENT ANY POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OF
 THE STATE FROM ENACTING LOCAL LEGISLATION THAT ESTABLISHES QUALIFICATION
 STANDARDS FOR THE SPRINKLER FITTER TRADE THAT EXCEED THE REQUIREMENTS OF
 THIS ARTICLE.
   §  902.  STATE  BOARD OF EXAMINERS FOR THE SPRINKLER FITTING INDUSTRY.
 (A) THERE IS HEREBY ESTABLISHED IN THE SAFETY  AND  HEALTH  LICENSE  AND
 CERTIFICATION UNIT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR A STATE BOARD OF EXAMINERS
 FOR THE SPRINKLER FITTING INDUSTRY.
   (B) COMPOSITION. THE BOARD SHALL CONSIST OF SEVEN MEMBERS APPOINTED BY
 THE GOVERNOR, WITH ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE SENATE, AS FOLLOWS:
   (1)  ONE  REPRESENTATIVE  FROM  THE  DIVISION OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND
 EMERGENCY SERVICES, OFFICE OF FIRE PREVENTION AND CONTROL;
   (2) ONE REPRESENTATIVE FROM  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF  STATE,  DIVISION  OF
 BUILDING STANDARDS AND CODES;
   (3) ONE FIRE SUPPRESSION CONTRACTOR;
   (4) ONE LICENSED FIRE PROTECTION ENGINEER;
   (5) ONE SPRINKLER FITTER LICENSED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS ARTICLE;
   (6)  ONE  REPRESENTATIVE  FROM  THE NEW YORK STATE PIPE TRADES ASSOCI-
 ATION; AND
   (7) ONE REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE  NEW  YORK  STATE  APPRENTICESHIP  AND
 TRAINING COUNCIL.

 A. 7948                             4
 
   §  903.  POWERS  AND  DUTIES  OF  THE STATE BOARD OF EXAMINERS FOR THE
 SPRINKLER FITTING INDUSTRY. IN ADDITION TO ALL OTHER POWERS  AND  DUTIES
 CONFERRED  OR  IMPOSED  UPON  THE  BOARD,  THE  BOARD  IS AUTHORIZED AND
 EMPOWERED TO:
   (A) ELECT ITS OWN OFFICERS AND PRESCRIBE THEIR DUTIES;
   (B)  GRANT  SPRINKLER  FITTER  LICENSES  AND PERMITS TO DULY QUALIFIED
 APPLICANTS AS PROVIDED IN THIS ARTICLE;
   (C) ESTABLISH FEES THAT ARE REASONABLE AND  NECESSARY  TO  DEFRAY  THE
 COST OF ADMINISTERING THIS ARTICLE;
   (D)  PROMULGATE,  ADOPT, AMEND, AND REPEAL SUCH RULES AND REGULATIONS,
 NOT INCONSISTENT WITH THE LAWS OF THIS STATE, AS MAY  BE  NECESSARY  FOR
 THE  ORDERLY CONDUCT OF ITS AFFAIRS AND THE ADMINISTRATION OF THIS ARTI-
 CLE;
   (E) ENFORCE THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ARTICLE AND  ANY  CODES,  RULES  OR
 REGULATIONS  HEREUNDER  THROUGH  INSPECTIONS,  AUDITS,  CITATIONS, CIVIL
 PENALTIES, AND ANY OTHER APPROPRIATE MEANS;
   (F) SUBPOENA RECORDS AND DOCUMENTS, CONDUCT HEARINGS  AND  COMPEL  THE
 ATTENDANCE OF WITNESSES PURSUANT TO AN INVESTIGATION OR A HEARING OF THE
 BOARD;
   (G) BRING A SUIT, IN ANY COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION, TO CAUSE THE
 ENJOINDER OF ALL PERSONS VIOLATING THIS ARTICLE. WHEN SEEKING AN INJUNC-
 TION,  THE  BOARD SHALL NOT BE REQUIRED TO PROVE THAT AN ADEQUATE REMEDY
 AT LAW DOES NOT EXIST OR THAT SUBSTANTIAL OR IRREPARABLE  DAMAGES  WOULD
 RESULT IF AN INJUNCTION IS NOT GRANTED;
   (H)  ESTABLISH  AND  ADMINISTER OR CONTRACT OUT TO A RECOGNIZED THIRD-
 PARTY CERTIFIER FOR EXAMINATIONS AS REQUIRED  FOR  LICENSES  UNDER  THIS
 ARTICLE AND DETERMINE SATISFACTORY PERFORMANCE FOR THESE EXAMINATIONS;
   (I)  REVOKE  OR SUSPEND A LICENSE OR PERMIT ISSUED UNDER THIS ARTICLE,
 OR REPRIMAND PERSONS FOR INCOMPETENCE OR ANY VIOLATIONS OF THIS  ARTICLE
 OR RULES OR REGULATIONS OF THE BOARD; AND
   (J)  ESTABLISH  A  PROCEDURE  FOR REINSTATING LICENSES OR PERMITS THAT
 HAVE BEEN REVOKED OR SUSPENDED, INCLUDING THE USE  OF  RETESTING  PROCE-
 DURES.
   §  904.  SPRINKLER  FITTER  LICENSE.  (A) TO OBTAIN A SPRINKLER FITTER
 LICENSE UNDER THIS ARTICLE, AN APPLICANT MUST:
   (1) PAY AN APPLICATION FEE ESTABLISHED BY THE BOARD; AND
   (2) PROVIDE EVIDENCE DEMONSTRATING THAT HE  OR  SHE  HAS  SUCCESSFULLY
 COMPLETED  A  SPRINKLER  FITTER  APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM AND HAS PASSED A
 SPRINKLER FITTER LICENSE EXAMINATION ESTABLISHED BY THE BOARD; OR
   (3) MEET THE REQUIREMENTS  OF  SECTION  NINE  HUNDRED  SEVEN  OR  NINE
 HUNDRED EIGHT OF THIS ARTICLE.
   (B)  ALL PERSONS HOLDING A SPRINKLER FITTER LICENSE UNDER THIS ARTICLE
 SHALL COMPLETE A MINIMUM OF EIGHT HOURS ANNUALLY OF EDUCATION AND  SKILL
 TRAINING ON FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS, PROVIDED:
   (1)  COURSES  FOR SUCH TRAINING SHALL BE PRE-APPROVED BY THE BOARD AND
 EVIDENCE OF COMPLETION OF CONTINUING  EDUCATION  REQUIREMENTS  SHALL  BE
 SUBMITTED TO THE BOARD WITH THE APPLICATION FOR LICENSE RENEWAL; AND
   (2)  THE  CONTINUING  EDUCATION  REQUIREMENT  DOES NOT APPLY UNTIL THE
 CONCLUSION OF THE FIRST FULL YEAR AFTER INITIAL ISSUANCE OF  A  PERSON'S
 SPRINKLER FITTER LICENSE.
   (C) A SPRINKLER FITTER LICENSE UNDER THIS ARTICLE SHALL BE VALID FOR A
 PERIOD OF THREE YEARS FROM DATE OF ISSUE.
   (D)  THE  BOARD  SHALL  RENEW  FOR A PERIOD OF THREE YEARS LICENSES OR
 PERMITS AS PROVIDED BY THIS ARTICLE UPON RECEIVING A  COMPLETED  RENEWAL
 APPLICATION AND REQUIRED FEE AS DETERMINED BY THE BOARD.

 A. 7948                             5
 
   (E)  ANY  PERSON  WHO  IS  ISSUED  A SPRINKLER FITTER LICENSE SHALL BE
 ISSUED A PHOTO IDENTIFICATION CARD AND SHALL MAINTAIN SUCH CARD  IN  HIS
 OR  HER POSSESSION AT ALL TIMES WHEN PERFORMING WORK ON FIRE SUPPRESSION
 SYSTEMS.
   § 905. SPRINKLER FITTER APPRENTICE AND HELPER PERMITS. (A) TO OBTAIN A
 SPRINKLER FITTER APPRENTICE PERMIT, AN APPLICANT MUST:
   (1) PAY AN APPLICATION FEE ESTABLISHED BY THE BOARD;
   (2)  COMPLETE  AN  APPLICATION FOR AN APPRENTICE PERMIT ESTABLISHED BY
 THE BOARD; AND
   (3) PRESENT EVIDENCE IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE BOARD,  DEMONSTRATING
 THAT  THE  APPLICANT  IS  ENROLLED  IN A SPRINKLER FITTER APPRENTICESHIP
 PROGRAM.
   (B) THE SPRINKLER FITTER APPRENTICE PERMIT  SHALL  STATE  THAT  IT  IS
 VALID  ONLY  IF  THE  PERSON  TO WHOM IT IS ISSUED REMAINS ENROLLED IN A
 SPRINKLER FITTER APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM.  THIS PERMIT SHALL BE VALID FOR
 A PERIOD OF THREE YEARS FROM THE DATE OF ISSUANCE  AND  MAY  BE  RENEWED
 ONCE  UPON  SUBMISSION OF A RENEWAL APPLICATION AND A RENEWAL FEE DETER-
 MINED BY THE BOARD.
   (C) TO OBTAIN A SPRINKLER FITTER HELPER PERMIT, AN APPLICANT MUST:
   (1) PAY AN APPLICATION FEE ESTABLISHED BY THE BOARD;
   (2) COMPLETE AN APPLICATION FOR A HELPER PERMIT BY THE BOARD; AND
   (3) PRESENT EVIDENCE IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE  BOARD  DEMONSTRATING
 THAT  THE  APPLICANT IS EMPLOYED AS A SPRINKLER FITTER HELPER THAT SHALL
 INCLUDE SPECIFIC ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FROM  THE  APPLICANT  AND  HIS  OR  HER
 EMPLOYER  THAT THE APPLICANT IS ONLY AUTHORIZED TO WORK UNDER THE DIRECT
 SUPERVISION OF A LICENSED SPRINKLER FITTER.
   (D) A SPRINKLER FITTER HELPER  PERMIT  SHALL  STATE  THAT  THE  PERSON
 POSSESSING  IT  MAY  ONLY PERFORM WORK ON FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS UNDER
 THE DIRECT SUPERVISION OF A LICENSED SPRINKLER FITTER  ON  A  ONE-ON-ONE
 BASIS.  THIS  PERMIT SHALL BE VALID FOR A PERIOD OF EIGHTEEN MONTHS FROM
 THE DATE OF ISSUANCE AND SHALL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR RENEWAL.
   (E) ANY PERSON WHO IS ISSUED A SPRINKLER FITTER APPRENTICE  OR  HELPER
 PERMIT  SHALL  BE  ISSUED A PHOTO IDENTIFICATION CARD AND SHALL MAINTAIN
 SUCH CARD IN HIS OR HER POSSESSION AT ALL TIMES WHEN PERFORMING WORK  ON
 FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS.
   §  906.  FIRE  SUPPRESSION  SYSTEM  INSPECTOR.  (A)  TO  OBTAIN A FIRE
 SUPPRESSION SYSTEM INSPECTOR LICENSE, AN APPLICANT MUST:
   (1) PAY AN APPLICATION FEE ESTABLISHED BY THE BOARD;
   (2) COMPLETE AN APPLICATION FOR A FIRE  SUPPRESSION  SYSTEM  INSPECTOR
 LICENSE  ESTABLISHED  BY  THE  BOARD  THAT  PROVIDES  EVIDENCE IN A FORM
 ACCEPTABLE TO THE BOARD OF ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:
   (A) AT LEAST TWO THOUSAND HOURS OF EXPERIENCE  IN  THE  INSPECTION  OF
 FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS;
   (B) COMPLETION OF A SPRINKLER FITTER APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM; OR
   (C)  POSSESSION OF A LEVEL ONE CERTIFICATE FROM THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE
 FOR CERTIFICATION FOR ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGIES FOR INSPECTION AND  TEST-
 ING FOR WATER BASED FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS; AND
   (3)  COMPLETE  AN  EXAMINATION  ESTABLISHED  BY  THE  BOARD FOR A FIRE
 SUPPRESSION SYSTEM INSPECTOR.
   (B) THE BOARD  SHALL  RENEW  FOR  A  PERIOD  OF  THREE  YEARS  A  FIRE
 SUPPRESSION  SYSTEM INSPECTOR LICENSE UPON RECEIVING A COMPLETED RENEWAL
 APPLICATION AND REQUIRED FEE AS DETERMINED BY THE BOARD.
   (C) ANY PERSON WHO IS  ISSUED  A  FIRE  SUPPRESSION  SYSTEM  INSPECTOR
 LICENSE  SHALL  BE ISSUED A PHOTO IDENTIFICATION CARD AND SHALL MAINTAIN
 SUCH CARD IN  HIS  OR  HER  POSSESSION  AT  ALL  TIMES  WHEN  PERFORMING
 INSPECTIONS ON FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS.

 A. 7948                             6

   §  907. RECIPROCITY.   (A) THE BOARD MAY ISSUE A RECIPROCITY SPRINKLER
 FITTER LICENSE OR FIRE SUPPRESSION  SYSTEM  INSPECTOR  LICENSE,  WITHOUT
 EXAMINATION  TO  ANY CURRENTLY PRACTICING, COMPETENT SPRINKLER FITTER OR
 FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM INSPECTOR  WHO  HOLDS  A  SIMILAR  AUTHORIZATION
 GRANTED BY ANY OTHER STATE ACCORDING TO THE LAWS OF SUCH STATE WHICH HAS
 QUALIFICATION  REQUIREMENTS  SUBSTANTIALLY  SIMILAR TO, OR GREATER THAN,
 THOSE ESTABLISHED UNDER THIS ARTICLE;  PROVIDED  THAT  THE  OTHER  STATE
 GRANTS  AUTHORIZATION  TO  ANY  COMPETENT PERSON HOLDING A LICENSE UNDER
 THIS ARTICLE.
   (B) THE BOARD MAY ISSUE A SPRINKLER FITTER LICENSE OR FIRE SUPPRESSION
 SYSTEM INSPECTOR LICENSE PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION TO ANY PERSON WHO:
   (1) COMPLETES AN APPLICATION FOR  SPRINKLER  FITTER  LICENSE  OR  FIRE
 SUPPRESSION  SYSTEM  INSPECTOR LICENSE BY RECIPROCITY ESTABLISHED BY THE
 BOARD;
   (2) PRESENTS COMPETENT EVIDENCE IN A  FORM  ACCEPTABLE  TO  THE  BOARD
 DEMONSTRATING  THAT  THE  APPLICANT IS A CURRENTLY PRACTICING, COMPETENT
 PERSON WHO HOLDS A SIMILAR AUTHORIZATION  GRANTED  BY  ANY  OTHER  STATE
 ACCORDING TO THE LAWS OF SUCH STATE WHICH HAS QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
 SUBSTANTIALLY  SIMILAR TO, OR GREATER THAN, THOSE ESTABLISHED UNDER THIS
 ARTICLE; AND
   (3) PAYS THE APPROPRIATE FEES ESTABLISHED BY THE BOARD.
   § 908. TRANSITIONAL GRACE PERIOD.  (A) THERE SHALL BE A ONE-YEAR PERI-
 OD FROM THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS ARTICLE THAT SHALL SERVE AS  A  GRACE
 PERIOD  FOR  ALL PERSONS APPLYING FOR SPRINKLER FITTER LICENSES AND FIRE
 SUPPRESSION INSPECTOR LICENSES.
   (B) DURING THE ONE-YEAR GRACE PERIOD NO PERSON SHALL  BE  REQUIRED  TO
 POSSESS  A SPRINKLER FITTER LICENSE, APPRENTICE OR HELPER PERMIT OR FIRE
 SUPPRESSION SYSTEM INSPECTOR LICENSE, PROVIDED HE OR SHE  HAS  SUBMITTED
 THE NECESSARY APPLICATION FOR SUCH CREDENTIALS WITHIN ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY
 DAYS FROM THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS ARTICLE.
   (C)  THE BOARD SHALL ISSUE A SPRINKLER FITTER LICENSE WITHOUT EXAMINA-
 TION TO ANY PERSON WHO SUBMITS AN APPLICATION  FOR  A  SPRINKLER  FITTER
 LICENSE  DURING  THE  ONE  HUNDRED EIGHTY DAY PERIOD AFTER THE EFFECTIVE
 DATE OF THIS ARTICLE, PROVIDED THE APPLICANT PAYS THE REQUIRED  APPLICA-
 TION FEE AND SUBMITS EVIDENCE DEMONSTRATING HE OR SHE HAS:
   (1) COMPLETED A SPRINKLER FITTER APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM; OR
   (2)  PERFORMED  AT  LEAST  TEN  THOUSAND HOURS OF DOCUMENTED PRACTICAL
 EXPERIENCE OF WORK ON FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS  WITHIN  THE  PAST  EIGHT
 YEARS.
   (D) THE BOARD SHALL ISSUE A FIRE SUPPRESSION INSPECTOR LICENSE WITHOUT
 EXAMINATION  TO  ANY  PERSON  WHO  SUBMITS  AN  APPLICATION  FOR  A FIRE
 SUPPRESSION INSPECTOR LICENSE DURING THE ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY  DAY  PERIOD
 AFTER  THE  EFFECTIVE  DATE OF THIS ARTICLE, PROVIDED THE APPLICANT PAYS
 THE REQUIRED APPLICATION FEE AND SUBMITS EVIDENCE  DEMONSTRATING  HE  OR
 SHE HAS:
   (1)  AT  LEAST  TWO  THOUSAND HOURS OF EXPERIENCE IN THE INSPECTION OF
 FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS;
   (2) COMPLETION OF A SPRINKLER FITTER APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM; OR
   (3) POSSESSION OF A LEVEL ONE CERTIFICATE FROM THE NATIONAL  INSTITUTE
 FOR  CERTIFICATION FOR ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGIES FOR INSPECTION AND TEST-
 ING FOR WATER BASED FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS.
   (E) INITIAL APPLICATIONS FOR SPRINKLER  FITTER  APPRENTICE  OR  HELPER
 PERMITS  SHALL BE SUBMITTED BY APPLICANTS WITHIN ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY DAYS
 FROM THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS ARTICLE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE  REQUIRE-
 MENTS OF SECTION NINE HUNDRED FIVE OF THIS ARTICLE.

 A. 7948                             7

   §  909.  REGISTRY  OF  SPRINKLER FITTER LICENSES AND PERMITS.  (A) THE
 BOARD SHALL ESTABLISH A FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM TECHNICIAN  REGISTRY  TO
 MAINTAIN  A  CENTRAL REGISTRY OF THE NAMES OF ALL PERSONS TO WHOM IT HAS
 ISSUED FIRE SUPPRESSION  SYSTEM  INSPECTOR  LICENSES,  SPRINKLER  FITTER
 LICENSES AND SPRINKLER FITTER PERMITS.
   (B)  THE  FIRE  SUPPRESSION  SYSTEM TECHNICIAN REGISTRY SHALL BE MAIN-
 TAINED ON A PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE WEBSITE AND SHALL BE UPDATED ON A MONTH-
 LY BASIS.
   § 910. VIOLATIONS. IT SHALL BE UNLAWFUL AND A VIOLATION OF THIS  ARTI-
 CLE FOR ANY PERSON TO:
   (A)  PERFORM  WORK  ON A FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM WITHOUT POSSESSING AN
 APPLICABLE LICENSE OR PERMIT AS REQUIRED BY THIS ARTICLE;
   (B) EMPLOY A PERSON OR CAUSE OR DIRECT A PERSON TO PERFORM WORK  ON  A
 FIRE  SUPPRESSION SYSTEM UNLESS THE PERSON PERFORMING SUCH WORK HOLDS AN
 APPLICABLE LICENSE OR PERMIT AS REQUIRED BY THIS ARTICLE;
   (C) ENGAGE IN OTHER CONDUCT PROHIBITED BY SECTION NINE  HUNDRED  THREE
 OF THIS ARTICLE;
   (D) OBTAIN A LICENSE OR PERMIT REQUIRED BY THIS ARTICLE THROUGH ERROR,
 FRAUD OR INTENTIONAL OR RECKLESS MISREPRESENTATION;
   (E)  IMPERSONATE  ANOTHER PERSON, USE AN EXPIRED OR REVOKED LICENSE OR
 PERMIT ISSUED PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE OR ALLOW ANOTHER PERSON TO USE  A
 LICENSE OR PERMIT NOT ISSUED TO SUCH PERSON;
   (F)  GIVE  FALSE  OR  FORGED  EVIDENCE OF ANY KIND TO THE BOARD OR ANY
 MEMBER THEREOF IN AN APPLICATION  FOR  THE  ISSUANCE  OR  RENEWAL  OF  A
 LICENSE OR PERMIT UNDER THIS ARTICLE; OR
   (G)  KNOWINGLY OR RECKLESSLY MAKE A MATERIAL FALSE STATEMENT REGARDING
 A PERSON'S LICENSE, OR  PERMIT  OR  STATUS  WITH  INTENT  TO  INFLUENCE,
 PERSUADE,  OR  INDUCE  AN  INDIVIDUAL TO CONTRACT FOR SERVICES REGULATED
 UNDER THIS ARTICLE.
   § 911. PENALTIES.  (A) THE BOARD SHALL REVOKE OR SUSPEND A LICENSE  OR
 PERMIT ISSUED UNDER THIS ARTICLE, OR REPRIMAND A LICENSE OR PERMIT HOLD-
 ER  FOR  INCOMPETENCE OR ANY VIOLATION OF THIS ARTICLE OR RULES OR REGU-
 LATIONS OF THE BOARD ISSUED PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE.
   (B) ANY PERSON WHO VIOLATES ANY  PROVISION  OF  THIS  ARTICLE  OR  ANY
 APPLICABLE RULE, REGULATION, PERMIT OR OTHER ORDER OF THE BOARD SHALL BE
 SUBJECT TO A CIVIL PENALTY OF NOT LESS THAN FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS AND NOT
 MORE  THAN  ONE  THOUSAND  DOLLARS FOR EACH ACT OR VIOLATION. EACH DAY A
 PERSON PERFORMS WORK ON A FIRE SUPPRESSION  SYSTEM  WITHOUT  A  REQUIRED
 LICENSE  OR  PERMIT AS REQUIRED BY THIS ARTICLE SHALL CONSTITUTE A SEPA-
 RATE VIOLATION.
   (C) A PERSON WHO WILLFULLY VIOLATES THIS  ARTICLE  OR  ANY  APPLICABLE
 RULE OR REGULATION ADOPTED PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE SHALL BE GUILTY OF A
 MISDEMEANOR.
   (D)  IN  ADDITION  TO  ANY OTHER PENALTIES PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION, A
 PERSON, CORPORATION OR OTHER BUSINESS ENTITY THAT KNOWINGLY  EMPLOYS  OR
 DIRECTS  A  PERSON  TO  PERFORM  WORK  ON  A  FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM IN
 VIOLATION OF THIS ARTICLE  SHALL  FORFEIT  ANY  BUSINESS  OR  CONTRACTOR
 LICENSE, REGISTRATION OR CERTIFICATE ISSUED BY THE STATE FOR A PERIOD OF
 NOT  LESS  THAN ONE YEAR AND NOT MORE THAN THREE YEARS, AS DETERMINED BY
 THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL.   FOR PURPOSES OF  THIS  SECTION,  THE  TERM
 "KNOWINGLY" SHALL MEAN ACTIONS THAT ARE WILLFUL OR TAKEN WITH DELIBERATE
 IGNORANCE OR RECKLESS DISREGARD OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS ARTICLE.
   §  912.  ENFORCEMENT.    (A)  THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS ARTICLE WILL BE
 ENFORCED BY THE BOARD IN CONJUNCTION  WITH  THE  LICENSURE  AND  CERTIF-
 ICATION UNIT WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.

 A. 7948                             8
 
   (B)  THE  LICENSURE  AND  CERTIFICATION  UNIT WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF
 LABOR SHALL INSPECT PROJECT WORK SITES WHERE WORK  ON  FIRE  SUPPRESSION
 SYSTEMS  IS  BEING PERFORMED TO ENSURE THAT PERSONS PERFORMING SUCH WORK
 POSSESS APPLICABLE LICENSES AND PERMITS REQUIRED BY THIS ARTICLE.
   (C)  IN  ANY  CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE THE LICENSURE AND CERTIFICATION UNIT
 WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR DETERMINES THAT WORK ON FIRE  SUPPRESSION
 SYSTEMS  IS BEING PERFORMED IN VIOLATION OF THIS ARTICLE, IT SHALL ISSUE
 OR CAUSE TO BE ISSUED A STOP WORK ORDER REQUIRING  THAT  ALL  SUCH  WORK
 CEASE  AND  REQUIRE  THAT  SUCH  WORK  SHALL NOT BE RESUMED UNTIL A FULL
 INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UNDERTAKEN AND VERIFICATION HAS  BEEN  MADE  THAT
 ALL  WORK  ON THE FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM IN QUESTION HAS BEEN PERFORMED
 BY DULY AUTHORIZED PERSONS.
   § 913. SEVERABILITY. TO THE EXTENT THAT ANY SECTION OR PORTION OF THIS
 ARTICLE IS DEEMED INVALID BY A REVIEWING COURT, THE  REMAINDER  OF  THIS
 ARTICLE SHALL BE UNAFFECTED BY SUCH RULING.
   § 3. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after
 it  shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amend-
 ment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implemen-
 tation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be  made  and
 completed on or before such effective date.