The proposed bill introduces a new chapter, CHAPTER 65.4, titled "Residential Contractor Licensing," to Title 5 of the General Laws. This chapter aims to establish a licensing program for contractors who supervise or perform structural work on residential buildings with one to four family dwelling units, effective January 1, 2028. The bill outlines definitions for key terms, including "Board," "Residential structure," and "Structurally remodeling," and grants the contractors' registration and licensing board the authority to create a licensing program that ensures contractors are qualified for their work. The licensing program is designed to protect consumers by setting competency standards and requiring ongoing education, while also allowing for a reasonable pathway for existing contractors to obtain licenses.

Additionally, the bill amends the composition of the contractors' registration and licensing board by increasing the number of public members from one to two, reducing the number of licensed home inspectors from two to one, and allowing for an engineer to serve in place of an architect on the board. The bill establishes penalties for operating without a license, including misdemeanor charges for first or second offenses and felony charges for repeat offenders. It mandates that all fees collected support the licensing program. The act will take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
749  SUB A: 5-65-14