General Assembly Raised Bill No. 937
January Session, 2017 LCO No. 4428
*04428_______PH_*
Referred to Committee on PUBLIC HEALTH
Introduced by:
(PH)
General Assembly
Raised Bill No. 937
January Session, 2017
LCO No. 4428
*04428_______PH_*
Referred to Committee on PUBLIC HEALTH
Introduced by:
(PH)
AN ACT CONCERNING THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH'S RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING LEAD PREVENTION INITIATIVES AND ASBESTOS TRAINING.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:
Section 1. Section 20-474 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
As used in sections 20-474 to 20-482, inclusive, subsections (e) and (f) of section 19a-88, as amended by this act, and section 19a-111:
(1) "Abatement" means any set of measures designed to eliminate lead hazards in accordance with standards established pursuant to sections 20-474 to 20-482, inclusive, and subsections (e) and (f) of section 19a-88, as amended by this act, and regulations adopted thereunder, including, but not limited to, the encapsulation, replacement, removal, enclosure or covering of paint, plaster, soil or other material containing toxic levels of lead and all preparation, clean-up, disposal and reoccupancy clearance testing;
(2) "Certificate" means a document issued by the department indicating successful completion of an approved training course;
(3) "Code enforcement official" means the director of health or a person authorized by [him] the director to act on [his] the director's behalf, the local housing code official or a person authorized by [him] the local housing code official to act on [his] the local housing code official's behalf, or an agent of the commissioner;
(4) "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Public Health, or the commissioner's designee;
(5) "Department" means the Department of Public Health;
(6) "Director of health" means a municipal health director or a district director of health as defined in chapters 368e and 368f;
(7) "Dwelling" means every building or shelter used or intended for human habitation, including exterior surfaces and all common areas thereof, and the exterior of any other structure located within the same lot, even if not used for human habitation;
(8) "Dwelling unit" means a room or group of rooms within a dwelling arranged for use as a single household by one or more individuals living together who share living and sleeping facilities;
(9) "Entity" means any person, partnership, firm, association, corporation, limited liability company, sole proprietorship or any other business concern, state or local government agency or political subdivision or authority thereof, or any religious, social or union organization, whether operated for profit or otherwise;
[(10) "Inspection" means an investigation to determine the presence of lead in paint, lead in other surface coverings, lead in dust, lead in soil or lead in drinking water, and the provision of a report explaining the results of the investigation;
(11) "Inspector" means an individual who performs inspections solely for the purpose of determining the presence of lead-based paint and surface coverings and lead in soil, dust and drinking water through the use of on-site testing including, but not limited to, x-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis with portable analytical instruments, and the collection of samples for laboratory analysis and who collects information designed to assess the level of risk;]
[(12)] (10) "Lead abatement contractor" means any entity which contracts to perform lead hazard reduction by means of abatement including, but not limited to, the encapsulation, replacement, removal, enclosure or covering of paint, plaster, soil or other material containing toxic levels of lead;
[(13)] (11) "Lead abatement supervisor" means an individual who oversees lead abatement activities;
[(14)] (12) "Lead abatement worker" means an individual who performs lead abatement activities;
[(15) "Lead consultant" means any person who performs lead detection, risk assessment, abatement design or related services in disciplines including inspector and planner-project designer;]
[(16)] (13) "Lead consultant contractor" means any entity which contracts to perform lead hazard reduction consultation work utilizing [an] a lead inspector, lead inspection risk assessor or lead planner-project designer;
(14) "Lead inspection" means an investigation to determine the presence of lead in paint, lead in other surface coverings, lead in dust, lead in soil or lead in drinking water, and the provision of a report explaining the results of the investigation;
(15) "Lead inspector" means an individual who performs inspections solely for the purpose of determining the presence of lead-based paint and surface coverings and lead in soil, dust and drinking water through the use of on-site testing including, but not limited to, x-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis with portable analytical instruments, and the collection of samples for laboratory analysis and who collects information designed to assess the level of risk;
(16) "Lead inspector risk assessor" means an individual who (A) performs (i) lead inspection risk assessments for the purpose of determining the presence, type, severity and location of lead-based paint hazards, including lead hazards in paint, dust, drinking water and soil, through the use of on-site testing, including, but not limited to, x-ray fluorescence analysis with portable instruments, and (ii) the collection of samples for laboratory analysis, and (B) provides suggested ways to control any identified lead hazards;
(17) "Lead planner-project designer" means an individual who designs lead abatement and management activities;
(18) "Lead training provider" means an entity that offers an approved training course or refresher training course in lead abatement or lead consultant services;
[(17)] (19) "License" means the whole or part of any department permit, approval or similar form of permission required by the general statutes and which further requires: (A) Practice of the profession by licensed persons or entities only; (B) that a person or entity demonstrate competence to practice through an examination or other means and meet certain minimum standards; and (C) enforcement of standards by the department;
[(18) "Planner-project designer" means an individual who designs lead abatement and management activities;]
[(19)] (20) "Premises" means the area immediately surrounding a dwelling;
[(20)] (21) "Refresher training course" means an annual, supplemental training course for personnel engaged in lead abatement or lead consultation services; and
[(21)] (22) "Training course" means an approved training course offered by a training provider for persons seeking instruction in lead abatement or lead consultation services. [; and]
[(22) "Training provider" means an entity which offers an approved training course or refresher training course in lead abatement or lead consultation services.]
Sec. 2. Section 20-476 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
On and after the effective date of regulations adopted pursuant to section 20-478, no person shall hold himself or herself out as a [lead consultant,] lead training provider, lead inspector, lead inspector risk assessor, lead planner-project designer, lead abatement supervisor or a lead abatement worker as defined in regulations adopted pursuant to section 20-478, in this state without a certificate issued by the Commissioner of Public Health. Applications for such certificate shall be made to the department on forms provided by it and shall be accompanied by a fee of fifty dollars, and shall contain such information regarding the applicant's qualifications as the department may require in regulations adopted pursuant to said section 20-478. No person shall be issued a certificate to act as a lead training provider, lead consultant, lead abatement supervisor or lead abatement worker unless such person obtains such approval. The commissioner may issue a certificate under this section to any person who is licensed or certified in another state under a law which provides standards which are equal to or higher than those of Connecticut and is not subject to any unresolved complaints or pending disciplinary actions. Certificates issued pursuant to this section shall be renewed annually in accordance with the provisions of section 19a-88, as amended by this act, upon payment of a fee of fifty dollars.
Sec. 3. Section 20-477 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(a) [On and after July 1, 1994, all] All training courses and refresher training courses offered by lead training providers for persons seeking instruction as a lead [consultant, including] inspector, lead inspector risk assessor, [or] lead planner-project designer, lead abatement supervisor [and] or lead abatement worker, shall be approved by the department and shall be conducted in accordance with the requirements of this section. Each application for approval of each training course offered by a lead training provider shall be accompanied by a fee of one thousand two hundred fifty dollars. Each application for approval of each refresher training course offered by a training provider shall be accompanied by a fee of three hundred fifteen dollars. Each training course shall be reapproved by the department every three years. Each lead training provider shall pay a fee of one thousand two hundred fifty dollars for application for reapproval of each training course in accordance with this section. Each refresher training course shall be reapproved by the department every three years. Each refresher lead training provider shall pay a fee of three hundred fifteen dollars for application for reapproval of each refresher training course in accordance with this section. No fee shall be imposed upon training courses or refresher training courses operated and provided by the state, municipalities or nonprofit agencies. In order to facilitate uniformity among states in regulatory programs for lead abatement and lead [consultant personnel] inspectors, lead inspector risk assessors and lead planner-project designers and reciprocity of licensure and certification programs, the commissioner may establish liaisons with other states having state certification or licensure programs.
(b) (1) A lead training provider seeking approval of a training course or a refresher training course shall submit to the department completed application forms provided by the department and other associated material and such information as the department shall require to establish compliance with the requirements of this section.
(2) A lead training provider may offer any training course or refresher training course as desired, provided each course is approved by the department. Only training providers who have already received approval for a training course in a particular discipline, or are concurrently seeking such approval, may seek approval for a refresher training course in that discipline.
(3) Training course curricula shall encompass topics and materials as established by the commissioner. These curricula shall conform to standards or guidance for such course as established by the federal Environmental Protection Agency or such other federal agencies as may have jurisdiction.
(4) Training courses and refresher training courses shall utilize staff and faculty who comply with educational and experience standards as established by the commissioner. These standards shall conform to standards or guidance for such personnel qualifications as established by the federal Environmental Protection Agency or such other federal agencies as may have jurisdiction.
(c) Refresher training courses for each training course shall include the following: (1) An overview of key safety practices; (2) an update on new federal, state and local laws and regulations; and (3) an update on new technologies. Each refresher course shall consist of a minimum of seven training hours.
(d) Each lead training provider shall administer a closed book objective examination at the completion of each training or refresher training course. Such examination shall be an evaluation of the knowledge and skills acquired by each student. The course examination shall cover the course curriculum taught in each course. [Training] Lead training providers shall establish a passing standard for each course examination, provided such standard shall not be lower than seventy per cent correct.
(e) The department may conduct an audit of any training course or refresher training course prior to reapproval. The lead training provider shall submit an application for reapproval not earlier than one hundred eighty days or later than ninety days before the current course approval expires. In the event an audit is performed, the following elements may be examined: (1) Course materials; (2) instructor competency; (3) validity and security of the course examination; (4) the conduct of hands-on skills assessments; (5) adequacy of the facility and equipment; and (6) the training course quality control plan.
(f) Each lead training provider shall retain the following information: (1) Records of staff and faculty qualifications; (2) curriculum and course materials; (3) course examination or pool of examination questions; (4) information on how hands-on skills assessments were conducted; and (5) student files grouped alphabetically by class and year. Each student file shall contain results of the hands-on skills assessment and the examination and copies of any course completion certificate issued. The lead training provider shall retain these records at the location specified on the lead training provider's approved application for a minimum of three years.
(g) The department may, after opportunity for hearing, suspend, revoke or withdraw approval of a training or refresher training course upon a finding that a training course provider has committed any of the following acts: (1) Misrepresentation or concealment of a material fact in the obtaining of approval or reapproval of a training or a refresher training course; (2) failure to submit required information or notifications in a timely manner; (3) failure to maintain requisite records; (4) falsification of records, instructor qualifications or other approval information; (5) failure to adhere to the training standards and requirements of this section; (6) failure on the part of the training manager or other person with supervisory authority over the delivery of training to comply with federal, state or local lead statutes or regulations; or (7) fraudulent issuance of a course completion document to a person who has failed to successfully complete the course or course examination. Notice of any contemplated action under this subsection, the cause of action and the date of a hearing on the action shall be given and an opportunity for hearing afforded in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54. The commissioner may petition the superior court for the judicial district of Hartford to enforce any order or action taken pursuant to this subsection. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to applications for approval or reapproval filed pursuant to this section.
(h) The commissioner may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, requiring that applicants successfully complete an examination prescribed by the department, for certification in the following professions: Lead [consultant,] inspector, lead inspector risk assessor, lead planner-project designer and lead abatement supervisor. [and lead abatement worker.]
Sec. 4. Section 20-479 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
The provisions of section 20-476, as amended by this act, shall not apply to a code enforcement official acting within the scope of his or her duties, provided, within one year of July 1, 1994, no code enforcement official shall perform the duties of a lead [consultant] inspector, lead inspector risk assessor or lead planner-project designer unless he or she has successfully completed an appropriate approved training course and an annual refresher training as specified in section 20-477, as amended by this act, or complies with the standards established in regulations adopted pursuant to section 20-478.
Sec. 5. Section 20-480 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
The provisions of sections 20-475 to 20-477, inclusive, as amended by this act, shall not apply to an employee of the Labor Department performing his or her duties in accordance with chapter 571 nor to a federal employee of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration performing his or her duties, in accordance with the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act.
Sec. 6. Section 20-481 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
The department may take any action set forth in section 19a-17 against a person or entity issued a license or certificate pursuant to sections 20-439, as amended by this act, and 20-474 to 20-482, inclusive, as amended by this act, and subsections (e) and (f) of section 19a-88, as amended by this act, for reasons including, but not limited to, the following: Conviction of a felony; fraud or deceit in the practice of [his] such person's or entity's profession; negligent, incompetent or wrongful conduct in professional activities; misrepresentation or concealment of a material fact in the obtaining, reinstatement or renewal of a license; or violation of any provision of sections 20-439, as amended by this act, 20-474 to 20-482, inclusive, as amended by this act, and subsections (e) and (f) of section 19a-88, as amended by this act, or any regulation adopted thereunder. The commissioner may petition the superior court for the judicial district of Hartford to enforce such order or any action taken pursuant to said section 19a-17. Notice of any contemplated action under said section 19a-17, the cause of action and the date of a hearing on the action shall be given and an opportunity for hearing afforded in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54.
Sec. 7. Subsection (c) of section 19a-14 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(c) No board shall exist for the following professions that are licensed or otherwise regulated by the Department of Public Health:
(1) Speech and language pathologist and audiologist;
(2) Hearing instrument specialist;
(3) Nursing home administrator;
(4) Sanitarian;
(5) Subsurface sewage system installer or cleaner;
(6) Marital and family therapist;
(7) Nurse-midwife;
(8) Licensed clinical social worker;
(9) Respiratory care practitioner;
(10) Asbestos contractor, [and] asbestos consultant and asbestos training provider;
(11) Massage therapist;
(12) Registered nurse's aide;
(13) Radiographer;
(14) Dental hygienist;
(15) Dietitian-Nutritionist;
(16) Asbestos abatement worker;
(17) Asbestos abatement site supervisor;
(18) Licensed or certified alcohol and drug counselor;
(19) Professional counselor;
(20) Acupuncturist;
(21) Occupational therapist and occupational therapist assistant;
(22) Lead abatement contractor, lead consultant contractor, lead consultant, lead abatement supervisor, lead abatement worker, lead training provider, lead inspector, lead inspector risk assessor and lead planner-project designer;
(23) Emergency medical technician, advanced emergency medical technician, emergency medical responder and emergency medical services instructor;
(24) Paramedic;
(25) Athletic trainer;
(26) Perfusionist;
(27) Master social worker subject to the provisions of section 20-195v;
(28) Radiologist assistant, subject to the provisions of section 20-74tt;
(29) Homeopathic physician;
(30) Certified water treatment plant operator, certified distribution system operator, certified small water system operator, certified backflow prevention device tester and certified cross connection survey inspector, including certified limited operators, certified conditional operators and certified operators in training;
(31) Tattoo technician; and
(32) Genetic counselor.
The department shall assume all powers and duties normally vested with a board in administering regulatory jurisdiction over such professions. The uniform provisions of this chapter and chapters 368v, 369 to 381a, inclusive, 383 to 388, inclusive, 393a, 395, 398, 399, 400a and 400c, including, but not limited to, standards for entry and renewal; grounds for professional discipline; receiving and processing complaints; and disciplinary sanctions, shall apply, except as otherwise provided by law, to the professions listed in this subsection.
Sec. 8. Subsection (e) of section 19a-88 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(e) (1) Each person holding a license or certificate issued under section 19a-514, 20-65k, 20-74s, 20-195cc or 20-206ll and chapters 370 to 373, inclusive, 375, 378 to 381a, inclusive, 383 to 383c, inclusive, 384, 384a, 384b, 384d, 385, 393a, 395, 399 or 400a and section 20-206n or 20-206o shall, annually, during the month of such person's birth, apply for renewal of such license or certificate to the Department of Public Health, giving such person's name in full, such person's residence and business address and such other information as the department requests.
(2) Each person holding a license or certificate issued under section 19a-514, section 20-266o and chapters 384a, 384c, 386, 387, 388 and 398 shall apply for renewal of such license or certificate once every two years, during the month of such person's birth, giving such person's name in full, such person's residence and business address and such other information as the department requests.
(3) Each person holding a license or certificate issued pursuant to [section 20-475 or 20-476] chapter 400c shall, annually, during the month of such person's birth, apply for renewal of such license or certificate to the department.
(4) Each entity holding a license issued pursuant to section 20-475 shall, annually, during the anniversary month of initial licensure, apply for renewal of such license or certificate to the department.
(5) Each person holding a license issued pursuant to section 20-162bb shall, annually, during the month of such person's birth, apply for renewal of such license to the Department of Public Health, upon payment of a fee of three hundred twenty dollars, giving such person's name in full, such person's residence and business address and such other information as the department requests.
Sec. 9. Section 20-439 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
For purposes of this section, "asbestos training provider" means a person or entity that offers a training program for asbestos abatement or asbestos consultation and certifies asbestos abatement workers, asbestos abatement site supervisors and asbestos consultants. On and after the effective date of regulations adopted pursuant to section 20-440, [asbestos abatement or asbestos consultation training programs serving to qualify asbestos abatement workers and asbestos abatement site supervisors for certification and asbestos consultants for certification] each asbestos training provider shall be [approved] certified by the department. The department shall issue an initial certification of a provider upon the provider's completion of an application and payment of a fee of fifty dollars. The certification issued pursuant to this section shall be renewed annually in accordance with the provisions of subsection (e) of section 19a-88, as amended by this act, upon payment of a fee of fifty dollars. The department shall approve a training program upon determination that such program complies with such requirements as may be established in regulations adopted pursuant to section 20-440. Each application or reapplication for approval of a training program shall be accompanied by a fee of five hundred dollars. Each application for approval or reapproval of a refresher training program as required by section 20-441 shall be accompanied by a fee of two hundred fifty dollars. Each [person offering an asbestos abatement or asbestos consultation training program] asbestos training provider shall furnish the department with a list of the persons who have successfully completed the course within thirty days of such completion. The department shall conduct periodic reviews of approved training courses and may revoke approval at any time it determines that the course fails to meet the requirements established in such regulations.
Sec. 10. Section 20-478 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
The commissioner shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to administer the provisions of sections 20-475 and 20-476. Such regulations shall include, but not be limited to, the following: (1) Standards for licensure of lead abatement contractors and lead consultant contractors; (2) passing scores for [licensure examination of lead abatement contractors and lead consultant contractors] certification examinations of lead inspectors, lead inspector risk assessors and lead abatement supervisors; and (3) standards for certification of [lead consultants] lead inspectors, lead inspector risk assessors, lead planning-project designers, lead abatement supervisors and lead abatement workers.
This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections:
Section 1 July 1, 2017 20-474
Sec. 2 July 1, 2017 20-476
Sec. 3 July 1, 2017 20-477
Sec. 4 July 1, 2017 20-479
Sec. 5 July 1, 2017 20-480
Sec. 6 July 1, 2017 20-481
Sec. 7 July 1, 2017 19a-14(c)
Sec. 8 July 1, 2017 19a-88(e)
Sec. 9 July 1, 2017 20-439
Sec. 10 July 1, 2017 20-478
This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections:
Section 1
July 1, 2017
20-474
Sec. 2
July 1, 2017
20-476
Sec. 3
July 1, 2017
20-477
Sec. 4
July 1, 2017
20-479
Sec. 5
July 1, 2017
20-480
Sec. 6
July 1, 2017
20-481
Sec. 7
July 1, 2017
19a-14(c)
Sec. 8
July 1, 2017
19a-88(e)
Sec. 9
July 1, 2017
20-439
Sec. 10
July 1, 2017
20-478
Statement of Purpose:
To implement the recommendations of the Department of Public Health regarding lead prevention initiatives and asbestos training.
[Proposed deletions are enclosed in brackets. Proposed additions are indicated by underline, except that when the entire text of a bill or resolution or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is not underlined.]