Substitute House Bill No. 5222 proposes significant amendments to consumer protection statutes overseen by the Department of Consumer Protection (DCP). A key change is the repeal of Section 20-295b, allowing licensed architects to perform interior design work without a separate registration, provided they meet continuing education requirements. The bill also updates licensing fees for professional engineers and land surveyors, increasing the initial application fee to $440 and the biennial renewal fee to $570. Additionally, it modifies the definition of "plumbing and piping work" to include alternative fuels and petroleum products, and establishes requirements for businesses to designate a licensed contractor of record.

The bill further enhances consumer protections by allowing purchasers of irrevocable funeral service contracts a three-day cancellation period and requiring specific disclosures about cancellation rights and escrow deposits. It mandates that charitable donation bins display the charity's DCP registration number and allows the DCP to take action against adulterated or misbranded food. A working group is also established to study prepaid funeral service contracts and the creation of a guaranty fund for consumers, with reports due in 2027 and 2028. Overall, the bill aims to streamline licensing processes, update fees, and enhance consumer protections across various sectors.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 20-280b, 20-295b, 20-305, 20-306, 20-337, 20-377s, 42-207
GL Joint Favorable Substitute: 20-295b, 20-305, 20-306, 20-337, 20-377s, 42-207
File No. 183: 20-295b, 20-305, 20-306, 20-337, 20-377s, 42-207