SB3393eng 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SB3393 Engrossed LRB104 17748 TRT 31179 b

AN ACT concerning regulation.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Fire Sprinkler Contractor Licensing Act is amended by changing Section 35 as follows:

(225 ILCS 317/35)

Sec. 35. Fees, renewals, continuing education, and required insurance.

(a) The fees for an initial license and each renewal and for duplicate copies of licenses shall be determined by the Office by rule.

(b) Each license shall be renewed every 2 years. Each licensee shall complete at least 16 hours of continuing education in the 2-year period following the licensee's renewal or initial licensure, with at least 8 hours of continuing education completed during each year of the current license.

To satisfy the continuing education requirement for fire sprinkler contractors, continuing education shall be completed by the designated certified person or responsible managing employee on behalf of the fire sprinkler contractor licensee. Current licensure as a professional engineer or proof of current NICET Level III or IV certification in water-based fire protection systems layout shall satisfy the continuing education requirement for designated certified persons.

Continuing education offered through nationally recognized building and fire code organizations and their affiliates; nationally recognized fire sprinkler organizations and their affiliates; institutions of higher education; educational bodies specializing in automatic fire suppression system technology; as well as other entities approved by the Office shall be also acceptable. All continuing education entities seeking to be approved providers of continuing education shall make application to the Office and offer programs that:

(1) contribute to the advancement, extension, or enhancement of the professional skills or technical knowledge of the licensee in the practice of fire sprinkler contracting; and

(2) are developed and presented by persons with education or experience in the subject manner of the program.

(c) Any person who fails to file a renewal application by the date of expiration of a license shall be assessed a late filing fee, which shall be determined by the Office by rule.

(d) Any fee required by this Act is not refundable in the event that the initial application or application for renewal is denied.

(e) Every application for an initial license or renewal of a fire sprinkler contractor license shall be accompanied by a certificate of insurance issued by an insurance company authorized to do business in the State of Illinois or by a risk retention or purchasing group formed pursuant to the federal Liability Risk Retention Act of 1986, which provides primary, first dollar public liability coverage of the applicant or licensee for personal injuries for not less than $500,000 per person or $1,000,000 per occurrence, and, in addition, for not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence for property damage. The insurance policy shall be in effect at all times during the license year and a new certificate of insurance shall be filed with the Office within 30 days after the renewal of the insurance policy.

(f) The Office shall prepare a report evaluating the effectiveness and industry impacts of the continuing education requirements established under this Section. The report required under this subsection shall include recommendations for statutory or rule changes and shall be delivered to the General Assembly by December 31, 2026.

(Source: P.A. 102-612, eff. 8-27-21.)

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.