Woonsocket Radio News Room

 

Euer bill to clarify licensure and certification of glaziers passes Senate

 

STATE HOUSE – A bill introduced by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairwoman Dawn Euer to ensure compliance with certification standards for glazing work on public projects was passed in the Senate today.

“Last year I sponsored legislation to ensure that glazing work on public projects would be done by certified professionals at the highest quality,” said Senator Euer (D-District 13, Newport, Jamestown). “However, there has been some disagreement among state agencies about when the regulations passed last year apply, and who has the power to enforce them. This bill clarifies that question by giving the Department of Labor the authority to enforce these provisions and ensure taxpayers are getting quality work for their money.”

In 2023 the General Assembly passed legislation (2023-S 0660, 2023-H 5074) sponsored by Senator Euer and Rep. David A. Bennett (D-Dist. 20, Warwick, Cranston) that required all glazing work on public works projects be performed by North American Contractor Certification certified companies and phased in requirements for the number of Architectural Glass and Metal Technician certified workers that would need to be on site for the project. In order to ensure compliance with this legislation, Senator Euer’s bill (2024-S 2235) would give the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training the power to enforce compliance with those provisions by holding hearings, levying fines and revoking professional licenses, if necessary.

“We have a lot of new school construction coming up in the next few years across Rhode Island, including here on Aquidneck Island,” said Senator Euer. “It’s important to make sure that this work is done to the highest standards and our students enjoy quality facilities for years to come.”

Representative Bennett has introduced companion legislation (2024-H 7105) in the House.

 

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