H. B. 4392

 

         (By Delegates Morgan, Diserio, Jones,

                   D. Poling and Barker)

         [Introduced February 3, 2014; referred to the

         Committee on Government Organization then the Judiciary.]

 

 

 

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §21-16-1, §21-16-2, §21-16-3, §21-16-4, §21-16-5, §21-16-6, §21-16-7, §21-16-8, §21-16-9, §21-16-10 and §21-16-11; and by adding thereto a new article, designated §29-3E-1, §29-3E-2, §29-3E-3, §29-3E-4, §29-3E-5, §29-3E-6, §29-3E-7, §29-3E-8 and §29-3E-9, all relating to regulating persons who perform work on heating, ventilating and cooling systems and fire dampers; requiring persons who perform work on heating, ventilating and cooling systems to be licensed by the Commissioner of Labor; requiring persons who perform work on fire dampers to be licensed by the State Fire Marshal; providing for exemptions from licensure; authorizing the commissioner to promulgate legislative rules; authorizing the State Fire Marshal to promulgate legislative rules; authorizing enforcement procedures; authorizing interagency agreements; authorizing the issuance, renewal, denial, suspension and revocation of licenses; providing for criminal penalties; providing that no political subdivision of the state may mandate additional licensing requirements; and providing for the disposition of fees.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended by adding thereto a new article, designated §21-16-1, §21-16-2, §21-16-3, §21-16-4, §21-16-5, §21-16-6, §21-16-7, §21-16-8, §21-16-9, §21-16-10 and §21-16-11; and by adding thereto a new article, §29-3E-1, §29-3E-2, §29-3E-3, §29-3E-4, §29-3E-5, §29-3E-6, §29-3E-7, §29-3E-8 and §29-3E-9, all to read as follows:

CHAPTER 21. LABOR

ARTICLE 16. REGULATION OF HEATING, VENTILATING AND COOLING WORK.

§21-16-1. Declaration of purpose.

    The provisions of this article are intended to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public as well as public and private property by assuring the competence of those who perform work on a heating, ventilating and cooling system through licensure by the Commissioner of Labor.

§21-16-2. Definitions.

    As used in this article:

    (a) “Perform work on a heating, ventilating and cooling system” means to install, maintain, alter, remodel or repair one or more components of a heating, ventilating and cooling system.

    (b) “Heating, ventilating and cooling system” means equipment to heat, cool or ventilate residential or commercial structures, comprised of one or more of the following components:

    (1) “Heating system” means a system in which heat is transmitted by radiation, conduction or convection, or a combination of any of these methods, to the air, surrounding surfaces, or both, and includes a forced air system that uses air being moved by mechanical means to transmit heat, but does not include a fireplace or woodburning stove not incorporated into or used as a primary heating system;

    (2) “Ventilating system” means the natural or mechanical process of supplying air to, or removing air from, any space whether the air is conditioned or not conditioned, at a rate of airflow of more than 250 cubic feet per minute; and

    (3) “Cooling system” means a system in which heat is removed from air, surrounding surfaces, or both, and includes an air-conditioning system. 

    (c) "License" means a valid and current license issued by the Commissioner of Labor in accordance with the provisions of this article.

    (d) “Single family dwelling” means a building which is occupied as, or designed or intended for occupancy as, a single residence for one or more persons.

§21-16-3. License required; exemptions.

    (a) On and after January 1, 2016, a person performing or offering to perform work on a heating, ventilating and cooling system in this state shall have a license issued by the Commissioner of Labor, in accordance with the provisions of this article.

    (b) A person licensed under this article shall carry a copy of the license on any job in which heating, ventilating and cooling work is being performed.

    (c) This article does not apply to:

    (1) A person who personally performs work on a heating, ventilating and cooling system in a single family dwelling owned by that person or by a member of that person’s immediate family;

    (2) A person who performs work on a heating, ventilating and cooling system at a manufacturing plant or other industrial establishment as an employee of the person, firm or corporation operating the plant or establishment; or

    (3) A person who performs only electrical or plumbing work on a heating, ventilating and cooling system, so long as the work is within the scope of practice which the person is otherwise licensed or authorized to perform.

§21-16-4. Licensure requirements.

    (a) To be licensed as a heating, ventilation and cooling technician-in-training, a person shall demonstrate an interest in and aptitude for heating, ventilating and cooling work but who alone is not capable of performing heating, ventilating and cooling work, and who has fewer than eight thousand hours of heating, ventilating and cooling work experience.

    (b) To be licensed as a journeyman heating, ventilation and cooling technician, a person shall demonstrate competency to instruct and supervise the work of a heating, ventilation and cooling technician-in-training, and have at least eight thousand hours of heating, ventilating and cooling work experience.

    (c) To be licensed as a master heating, ventilation and cooling technician, a person shall demonstrate competency to design heating, ventilating and cooling systems and to instruct and supervise the work of a heating, ventilation and cooling technician-in-training and a journeyman heating, ventilation and cooling technician, and have at least ten thousand hours of heating, ventilating and cooling work experience.

§21-16-5. Scope of practice.

    (a) A heating, ventilation and cooling technician-in-training is authorized to assist in providing heating, ventilating and cooling work only under the direction and control of a journeyman heating, ventilation and cooling technician or a master heating, ventilation and cooling technician.

    (b) A journeyman heating, ventilation and cooling technician is authorized to provide heating, ventilating and cooling work only under the direction and control of a master heating, ventilation and cooling technician.

    (c) A master heating, ventilation and cooling technician is authorized to provide heating, ventilating and cooling work without supervision.

    (d) Persons licensed under this article are subject to the applicable provisions of the Contractor Licensing Act in article eleven of this chapter in the performance of work authorized by this article.

§21-16-6. Rule-making authority.

    The Commissioner of Labor shall propose rules for legislative approval, in accordance with the provisions of article three, chapter twenty-nine-a of this code, for the implementation and enforcement of the provisions of this article, which shall provide:

    (1) Standards and procedures for issuing and renewing licenses, applications, examinations and qualifications;

    (2) Reciprocity provisions;

    (3) Procedures for investigating complaints and revoking or suspending licenses, including appeal procedures;

    (4) Fees for issuance and renewal of licenses and other costs necessary to administer the provisions of this article;

    (6) Enforcement procedures; and

    (7) Any other rules necessary to effectuate the purposes of this article.

§21-16-7. Enforcement; interagency agreements authorized.

    (a) The Commissioner of Labor and his or her Deputy Commissioner or any compliance officer of the Division of Labor as authorized by the Commissioner of Labor may enforce the provisions of this article and may, at reasonable hours, enter any building or premises where heating, ventilating and cooling work is performed and issue cease and desist orders for noncompliance.

    (b) The Commissioner of Labor may enter into an interagency agreement with the State Fire Marshal for the mutual purpose of enforcing the provisions of this article and the provisions of article three-e, chapter twenty-nine of this code.

§21-16-8. Denial, suspension and revocation of license.

    (a) The Commissioner of Labor may deny a license to any applicant who fails to comply with the provisions of this article or the rules established by the Commissioner of Labor or who lacks the necessary qualifications.

    (b) The Commissioner of Labor may, upon complaint or upon his or her own inquiry, and after notice to the licensee, suspend or revoke a licensee̓s license if:

    (1) The license was granted upon an application or documents supporting the application which materially misstated the terms of the applicant̓s qualifications or experience;

    (2) The licensee subscribed or vouched for a material misstatement in his or her application for licensure;

    (3) The licensee incompetently or unsafely performs heating, ventilating and cooling work; or

    (4) The licensee violated any statute of this state, any legislative rule or any ordinance of any municipality or county of this state which protects the consumer or public against unfair, unsafe, unlawful or improper business practices.

§21-16-9. Penalties.

    (a) On and after January 1, 2016, a person performing or offering to perform, or an employer authorizing a person not exempt by the provisions of section three of this article, to perform, heating, ventilating and cooling work without a license issued by the Commissioner of Labor, is subject to a cease and desist order.

    (b) A person continuing to perform, or an employer continuing to authorize a person not exempt by the provisions of section three of this article, to perform, heating, ventilating and cooling work after the issuance of a cease and desist order is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, is subject to the following penalties:

    (1) For the first offense, a fine of not less than $200 nor more than $1,000;

    (2) For the second offense, a fine of not less than $500 nor more than $2,000, or confinement in jail for not more than six months, or both fine and confinement;

    (3) For the third and subsequent offenses, a fine of not less than $1,000 nor more than $5,000, and confinement in jail for not less than thirty days nor more than one year.

    (c) A separate offense means each day, after official notice is given, that a person performs or that an employer authorizes a person, not exempt by the provisions of section three of this article, to perform, heating, ventilating and cooling work that is unlawful or is not in compliance with this article.

    (d)(1) The Commissioner of Labor may institute proceedings in the circuit court of Kanawha County or of the county where the alleged violation of the provisions of this article occurred or are occurring to enjoin any violation of any provision of this article.     (2) A circuit court may by injunction compel compliance with this article, with the lawful orders of the Commissioner of Labor and with any final decision of the Commissioner of Labor.

    (3) The Commissioner of Labor shall be represented in all such proceedings by the Attorney General or his or her assistants.

    (e) Any person adversely affected by an action of the Commissioner of Labor may appeal the action pursuant to chapter twenty-nine-a of this code.

§21-16-10. Inapplicability of local ordinances.

    On and after January 1, 2016, a political subdivision of this state may not require, as a condition precedent to the performance of work on heating, ventilating and cooling in the political subdivision, a person who holds a valid and current license issued under this article, to have any other license or other evidence of competence to perform work on heating, ventilating and cooling systems.

§21-16-11. Disposition of fees.

    All fees paid pursuant to this article, shall be paid to the Commissioner of Labor and deposited in a special revenue account with the State Treasurer for the use of the Commissioner of Labor to enforce the provisions of this article.

CHAPTER 29. MISCELLANEOUS BOARDS AND OFFICERS.

ARTICLE 3E. REGULATION OF FIRE DAMPER WORK.

§29-3E-1. Declaration of purpose.

    The provisions of this article are intended to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public as well as public and private property by assuring the competence of those who perform fire damper work through licensure by the State Fire Marshal.

§29-3E-2. Definitions.

    As used in this article:

    (a) “Fire damper” means a passive fire protection device used in heating, venting and cooling equipment or system ducts to prevent the spread of fire inside the ductwork through fire resistance rated walls and floors, activated to closure by a thermal element or upon receipt of an electrical signal from a fire alarm system.

    (b) “Fire damper work” means to install, test, maintain or repair a fire damper.

    (c) "License" means a valid and current license issued by the State Fire Marshal in accordance with this article.

    (d) “Single family dwelling” means a building which is occupied as, or designed or intended for occupancy as, a single residence for one or more persons.

§29-3E-3. License required; exemptions.

    (a) On and after January 1, 2016, a person performing or offering to perform fire damper work in this state shall have a license issued by the State Fire Marshal, in accordance with this article: Provided, That a person may not be licensed to perform fire damper work in this state without first being licensed as a journeyman heating, ventilation and cooling technician or a master heating, ventilation and cooling technician pursuant to the provisions of article sixteen, chapter twenty-one of this code.

    (b) A person licensed under this article shall carry a copy of the license on any job in which fire damper work is being performed.

    (c) This article does not apply to:

    (1) A person who personally performs fire damper work on a single family dwelling owned by that person or by a member of that person’s immediate family; or

    (2) A person who performs fire damper work at any manufacturing plant or other industrial establishment as an employee of the person, firm or corporation operating the plant or establishment.

§29-3E-4. Rule-making authority.

    The State Fire Marshal shall propose rules for legislative approval, in accordance with the provisions of article three, chapter twenty-nine-a of this code, for the implementation and enforcement of this article, which shall provide:

    (1) Standards and procedures for issuing and renewing licenses, applications, examinations and qualifications: Provided, That the rules require a person to be licensed as a journeyman heating, ventilation and cooling technician or a master heating, ventilation and cooling technician pursuant to article sixteen, chapter twenty-one of this code and the rules promulgated pursuant thereto, before being granted a license to perform fire damper work pursuant to this article;

    (2) Reciprocity provisions;

    (3) Procedures for investigating complaints and revoking or suspending licenses, including appeal procedures;

    (4) Fees for testing, issuance and renewal of licenses and other costs necessary to administer the provisions of this article;

    (5) Enforcement procedures; and

    (6) Any other rules necessary to effectuate the purposes of this article.

§29-3E-5. Enforcement; interagency agreements authorized.

    (a) The State Fire Marshal and his or her Deputy Commissioner or any compliance officer as authorized by the State Fire Marshal may enforce the provisions of this article, and may, at reasonable hours, enter any building or premises where fire damper work is performed and issue cease and desist orders for noncompliance.

        (2) The State Fire Marshal may enter into an interagency agreement with the Commissioner of Labor for the mutual purpose of enforcing this article and article sixteen, chapter twenty-one of this code.

§29-3E-6. Denial, suspension and revocation of license.

    (a) The State Fire Marshal may deny a license to any applicant who fails to comply with the rules established by the State Fire Marshal, or who lacks the necessary qualifications.

    (b) The State Fire Marshal may, upon complaint or upon his or her own inquiry, and after notice to the licensee, suspend or revoke a licensee̓s license if:

    (1) The license was granted upon an application or documents supporting the application which materially misstated the terms of the applicant̓s qualifications or experience;

    (2) The licensee subscribed or vouched for a material misstatement in his or her application for licensure;

    (3) The licensee incompetently or unsafely performs fire damper work; or

    (4) The licensee violated any statute of this state, any legislative rule or any ordinance of any municipality or county of this state which protects the consumer or public against unfair, unsafe, unlawful or improper business practices.

§29-3E-7. Penalties.

    (a) On and after January 1, 2016, a person performing or offering to perform, or an employer authorizing a person not exempt by the provisions of section three of this article, to perform, fire damper work without a license issued by the State Fire Marshal, is subject to a cease and desist order.

    (b) A person continuing to perform, or an employer continuing to authorize a person not exempt by the provisions of section three of this article, to perform fire damper work after the issuance of a cease and desist order is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, is subject to the following penalties:

    (1) For the first offense, a fine of not less than $200 nor more than $1,000;

    (2) For the second offense, a fine of not less than $500 nor more than $2,000, or confinement in jail for not more than six months, or both fine and confinement;

    (3) For the third and subsequent offenses, a fine of not less than $1,000 nor more than $5,000, and confinement in jail for not less than thirty days nor more than one year.

    (c) A separate offense means each day, after official notice is given, that a person performs, or that an employer authorizes a person not exempt by the provisions of section three of this article, to perform fire damper work that is unlawful or is not in compliance with this article.

    (d)(1) The State Fire Marshal may institute proceedings in the circuit court of Kanawha County or of the county where the alleged violation of the provisions of this article occurred or are occurring to enjoin any violation of any provision of this article.     (2) A circuit court may by injunction compel compliance with this article, with the lawful orders of the State Fire Marshal and with any final decision of the State Fire Marshal.

    (3) The State Fire Marshal shall be represented in all such proceedings by the Attorney General or his or her assistants.

    (e) Any person adversely affected by an action of the State Fire Marshal may appeal the action pursuant to chapter twenty-nine-a of this code.

§29-3E-8. Inapplicability of local ordinances.

    On and after January 1, 2016, a political subdivision of this state may not require, as a condition precedent to the performance of fire damper work in the political subdivision, a person who holds a valid and current license issued under article twenty-nine-a, to have any other license or other evidence of competence to perform fire damper work.

§29-3E-9. Disposition of fees.

    All fees paid pursuant to this article, shall be paid to the State Fire Marshal and deposited in a special revenue account with the State Treasurer for the use of the State Fire Marshal as provided in subsection (c), section twelve-b, article three of this chapter.

    NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to regulate persons who perform work on heating, ventilating and cooling systems and fire dampers. It requires persons who perform work on heating, ventilating and cooling systems to be licensed by the Commissioner of Labor and persons who perform work on fire dampers to be licensed by the State Fire Marshal. The bill authorizes the Commissioner and State Fire Marshal to promulgate legislative rules. It provides enforcement procedures; authorizes interagency agreements; and the issuance, renewal, denial, suspension and revocation of licenses. The bill provides for criminal penalties. It also provides that no political subdivision of the state may mandate additional licensing requirements.

    This article is new; therefore, it has been completely underscored.