LRB-3178/1

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2021 - 2022 LEGISLATURE

2021 Senate BILL 344

May 14, 2021 - Introduced by Senators Kooyenga, Johnson, Stroebel, Marklein and Roys, cosponsored by Representatives Horlacher, Stubbs, Brooks, Cabral-Guevara, Dittrich, Gundrum, Hintz, Krug, Kuglitsch, Loudenbeck, Macco, Magnafici, Neylon, Skowronski, Sortwell, Vruwink and Wichgers. Referred to Committee on Government Operations, Legal Review and Consumer Protection.

SB344,1,6 An Act to repeal 440.962 (1) (a), 440.962 (1) (b), 440.962 (1) (c), 440.962 (1) (d) and 440.964; to renumber 440.96 (2); to renumber and amend 440.96 (1); to amend 440.965; and to create 440.96 (1g), 440.96 (1r) (b) 2., 440.96 (3), 440.962 (1) (am), 440.968 (1) (e), 440.9693 and 440.9696 of the statutes; relating to: registration and the scope of practice of interior designers and granting rule-making authority.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

This bill makes the following changes to the registration and practice of interior designers:

1. Requires a person to pass an interior design examination administered by an organization approved by the Department of Safety and Professional Services in order to be granted an initial certificate of registration as an interior designer by DSPS. Under current law, a person must pass an interior design examination administered by a national organization that establishes standards for the interior design profession and that is recognized by DSPS or an examination conducted or approved by DSPS that is substantially similar.

2. Eliminates several requirements for obtaining an initial registration as an interior designer, including the requirement under current law to complete an interior design education program of a certain length of time and have certain amounts of practical experience in interior design.

3. Makes various changes to the scope of interior design.

4. Requires DSPS to promulgate rules establishing specifications for interior design seals and stamps and requires a registered interior designer to impress the seal or stamp on certain documents prepared by the interior designer.

For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

SB344,1 Section 1. 440.96 (1) of the statutes is renumbered 440.96 (1r) (a) and amended to read:

SB344,2,9 440.96 (1r) (a) “Interior design" means the design of interior spaces as a part of an interior alteration or construction project in conformity with public health, safety and welfare requirements, including the preparation of documents relating to building code descriptions, egress plans, space planning, finish materials, furnishings, fixtures, and equipment and the preparation of documents interior technical submissions relating to interior construction that does not substantially affect the mechanical or structural systems of a building.

SB344,2,10 (b) “Interior design" does not include services any of the following: