Bill > S2518

This bill enacts the "State of Rhode Island Interior Design Practice Act" to regulate the professional practice of interior designers, aiming to protect the public's health, safety, and welfare by establishing standards for those who practice registered interior design within the state. It creates a seven-member Board of Interior Designers, with at least three public representatives and the remainder being registered interior designers, tasked with developing rules for registration, regulating unlawful practice, and enforcing these regulations. The act defines key terms like "practice of registered interior design" to encompass planning, design, documentation, and management of interior nonstructural construction and alteration projects, while also outlining specific exclusions such as work on structural elements, building envelopes, or mechanical and electrical systems. To become a registered interior designer, individuals must meet specific qualifications, including education, experience, and passing the NCIDQ (Council for Interior Design Qualification) examination, with provisions for reciprocal registration for those licensed in other jurisdictions. The bill also mandates continuing education for renewal of registration and establishes procedures for expired and inactive registrations, firm registration, and disciplinary actions for violations, with the entire act taking effect on July 1, 2026.

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