Bill > H7970

This bill requires that individuals working as locksmiths in Rhode Island, meaning anyone who installs, services, repairs, rekeys, or opens locks or locking devices, must obtain a license from the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training. To get this license, applicants must submit a form with their personal and business information, a photograph, proof of training or apprenticeship, and a certified criminal background check. The department can deny, suspend, or revoke a license if an applicant has a criminal conviction related to theft, fraud, violence, or dishonesty that impacts their suitability for the profession, or for other violations of the law or department regulations. The bill also defines an "apprentice locksmith" as someone working under the direct supervision of a licensed locksmith and exempts federal, state, or local government employees performing official duties, retail employees duplicating keys under supervision, and homeowners working on their own property from these requirements. The Department of Labor and Training is tasked with creating the necessary rules and regulations to implement this licensing system, which will go into effect on January 1, 2027.