Posted: | February 11, 2021 11:51 AM |
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From: | Representative Kathleen C. Tomlinson and Rep. Frank A. Farry, Rep. Meghan Schroeder |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Interior Designer Registration Act |
In the near future, we will be introducing legislation to create the Interior Designer Registration Act in Pennsylvania. The bill would allow interior designers that meet specified education and experience requirements to apply to the Bureau of Consumer Protection in the Attorney General’s Office to become registered interior designers and submit interior construction documents as required to obtain building permits in the Commonwealth. Under Pennsylvania’s Uniform Construction Code only an architect or professional engineer may prepare the construction documents required to obtain a building permit. However, there are several schools in Pennsylvania and across the country that provide an accredited four-year undergraduate degree in interior design, and these graduates are well versed in all stages of interior construction. Over 60% of interior design firms are women-owned businesses in Pennsylvania. Under the current system, these businesses are at competitive disadvantage with several neighboring states while bidding for federal contracts as Pennsylvania does not currently recognize the interior design profession. Our legislation would define the title Registered Interior Designer (RID) allowing them to both compete for federal contracts and to independently design and submit non-load-bearing interior construction plans. Interior designers who are not registered would still be authorized to use the title Interior Designer and develop interior construction plans, but the plans would have to be under the seal and signature of an architect or professional engineer. Further, any interior designer, including RIDs, would be required submit demolition plans with the seal and signature of an architect or professional engineer. Please join us in supporting women-owned business and protecting consumers in the Commonwealth by sponsoring this measure. |
Introduced as HB1258