80R4588 BEF-F

By: Lucio S.B. No. 832

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the regulation of interior designers; providing penalties.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter G, Chapter 1051, Occupations Code, is amended by adding Section 1051.3515 to read as follows:

Sec. 1051.3515. RENEWAL OF INTERIOR DESIGNER CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION. To be eligible to renew a certificate of registration, an interior designer who has not passed the examination of the National Council for Interior Design Qualification or a similar national organization recognized by the board must:

(1) pass section one of that examination or pass a comparable section of an examination of a similar national organization recognized by the board;

(2) complete, in addition to the continuing education requirements required for renewal of the certificate of registration under Section 1051.356, 15 hours of board-approved continuing education classes relating to building and barrier-free codes and regulations; or

(3) have engaged in the practice of interior design for at least three years under the supervision of an architect or interior designer and passed the examination required for registration as an architect.

SECTION 2. Section 1053.002, Occupations Code, is amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:

(a) This chapter does not apply to:

(1) a person who[:

[(A) does not use the title "interior designer" and does not use the term "interior design" to describe a service the person offers or performs; and

[(B)] is an interior designer licensed or registered in another state or country who:

(A) [(i)] does not open or maintain a business in this state; and

(B) [(ii)] complies with the requirements of Subsection (b); or

(2) an architect, if the architect does not use the term "Registered Interior Designer" unless also registered under this chapter [a person who is registered to practice architecture in this state].

(c) This chapter does not:

(1) prohibit an employee of a retail establishment from providing consultations regarding interior decoration or furnishings:

(A) on the premises of the retail establishment; or

(B) in furtherance of a retail sale or prospective retail sale;

(2) restrict the activities of a person who provides decorative services or assistance in the selection of surface materials, window coverings, wall coverings, paint, floor coverings, surface-mounted fixtures, or loose furnishings not subject to regulation under the fire code governing the location where the items will be used, provided that the person does not represent that the person is an interior designer; or

(3) prevent or restrict a person licensed or registered in this state to engage in a practice or occupation from engaging in that practice or occupation.

SECTION 3. Section 1053.151, Occupations Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 1053.151. REGISTRATION REQUIRED. A person other than an interior designer may not:

(1) engage in the practice of interior design for direct or indirect compensation or offer or attempt to engage in the practice of interior design for direct or indirect compensation; or

(2) represent that the person is engaged in the practice of interior design or, unless all interior design services provided by the person are rendered or supervised by a person registered under this chapter, represent:

(A) that the person is an "interior designer" by using any form of that title or of the term "Registered Interior Designer"; or

(B) [(2)represent,] by using the term "interior design," a service the person offers or performs.

SECTION 4. Section 1053.152(b), Occupations Code, is amended to read as follows:

(b) To be eligible for a certificate of registration, an applicant must:

(1) meet the qualifications established by the board under Subsection (a);

(2) pass the [registration] examination of the National Council for Interior Design Qualification or of a similar national organization recognized by the board; [and]

(3) pay the required fees;

(4) hold a professional degree in interior design conferred by a design program accredited by the Foundation for Interior Design Education Research or by a substantially equivalent program, as determined by the board; and

(5) have completed the Interior Design Experience Program administered by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification or have two years of diversified experience as determined by the board.

SECTION 5. Section 1053.154(b), Occupations Code, is amended to read as follows:

(b) The examination must cover subjects established by and must be graded according to board rules. The board by rule shall [may] adopt the examination of the National Council for Interior Design Qualification or the examination of a similar national organization recognized by the board [comparable examination].

SECTION 6. Subchapter D, Chapter 1053, Occupations Code, is amended by adding Section 1053.161 to read as follows:

Sec. 1053.161. WAIVER OF REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN OUT-OF-STATE APPLICANTS. The board may waive any registration requirement for an applicant who:

(1) is licensed or registered to practice interior design by another state that has licensing or registration requirements at least as stringent as the requirements of this state;

(2) is in good standing with the state that issued the license or registration;

(3) submits an application and pays an administrative fee to the board; and

(4) holds a current certificate issued by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification or holds a similar credential recognized by the board.

SECTION 7. Chapter 1053, Occupations Code, is amended by adding Subchapter E to read as follows: SUBCHAPTER E. PRACTICE BY INTERIOR DESIGNER

Sec. 1053.201. RESPONSIBILITY OF AND SUPERVISION BY INTERIOR DESIGNER. (a) Each interior design office must have an interior designer who is responsible for interior design work performed at that location.

(b) The responsible interior designer under Subsection (a) shall supervise each nonregistered person working in the interior design office in the practice of interior design. The supervision is not required to be continuous and uninterrupted.

Sec. 1053.202. DUTIES TO CLIENT. Before entering into a contract with a client, an interior designer must clearly determine the scope and nature of the project and the method of compensation.

Sec. 1053.203. COMPLIANCE WITH CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS. Each interior designer shall practice in compliance with all applicable building codes, fire codes, local regulations, and other safety requirements adopted by the board or another regulatory entity implemented to prohibit practice by persons who:

(1) fail to practice within the bounds of minimum competency requirements; or

(2) otherwise present a danger to the public.

SECTION 8. Section 1053.351, Occupations Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 1053.351. CRIMINAL PENALTY. (a) A person commits an offense if the person knowingly violates [Section 1053.151 or a standard of conduct adopted under] this chapter or a rule adopted under this chapter.

(b) An offense under this section is a [Class C] misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $250 or more than $5,000. Each day of violation constitutes a separate offense.

SECTION 9. Section 1053.158, Occupations Code, is repealed.

SECTION 10. The Texas Board of Architectural Examiners shall issue a certificate of registration as an interior designer to a person who applies for registration as an interior designer with the board and pays the required fees before the second anniversary of the effective date of this Act if the person presents evidence satisfactory to the board that the person has passed the examination of the National Council for Interior Design Qualification or a similar national organization recognized by the board.

SECTION 11. (a) The change in law made by this Act to Section 1053.351, Occupations Code, applies only to the punishment for an offense committed on or after the effective date of this Act. For purposes of this section, an offense is committed before the effective date of this Act if any element of the offense occurs before the effective date.

(b) An offense committed before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the date the offense was committed, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.

SECTION 12. The Texas Board of Architectural Examiners shall adopt rules as required by Chapter 1053, Occupations Code, as amended by this Act, not later than February 1, 2008.

SECTION 13. This Act, except for Section 1 of this Act, applies only to an application for an initial or renewal interior designer certificate of registration that is filed with the Texas Board of Architectural Examiners on or after March 1, 2008. An application filed before March 1, 2008, is governed by the law in effect immediately before the effective date of this Act, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.

SECTION 14. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) of this section, this Act takes effect September 1, 2007.

(b) Section 1051.3515, Occupations Code, as added by this Act, takes effect September 1, 2011.