Pennsylvania 2023-2024 Regular Session

Pennsylvania House Bill HB2645

Introduced
10/23/24  

Caption

Further providing for title of act, for short title, for declaration of purpose, for definitions, for creation of board and appointment and term of members and officers, for organization of board, for powers of board, for duties of board, for examination and qualification of applicants, for reciprocal licensing, for issuance and renewal of certificates, for payment and disposition of fees and for seal of architect; providing for architectural firm registration and for architectural firm names; further providing for permitted practices, for existing licenses, for existing rules and regulations and for unauthorized practice prohibited; providing for certification of interior designers; further providing for disciplinary proceedings, for penalties and for complaint procedure and hearings; providing for regulations; further providing for severability, for repeals and for effective date; and making editorial changes.

Impact

In terms of its impact on state law, HB 2645 reinforces the necessity of licensure for architects and certified interior designers, specifying that no individual may engage in these practices without a valid license. The bill includes provisions for the establishment of fees, penalties for unauthorized practice, and the waiving of continuing education requirements under special circumstances. Furthermore, it outlines the board's authority to conduct hearings and investigations regarding compliance with the act's provisions, thereby enhancing enforcement capabilities.

Summary

House Bill 2645 aims to amend and update the existing 'Architects Licensure Law' in Pennsylvania, primarily focusing on the regulation of architectural practices and the certification of interior designers. This legislation seeks to establish clear definitions and rules regarding the practice of architecture, the responsibilities of the State Architects Licensure Board, and the standards for issuing licenses and certificates. Additionally, the bill proposes measures for continuing education requirements, ensuring that professionals in these fields keep their skills and knowledge current.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 2645 appears generally positive among proponents who believe that the amendments will streamline the licensure process and enhance professional standards within the architecture and interior design fields. However, some concerns have been raised by stakeholders about the adequacy of continuing education waivers and the stringent penalties for non-compliance, suggesting a potential tension between maintaining high standards and ensuring accessibility for practicing professionals.

Contention

Key points of contention within the discussions of HB 2645 include the balance between regulatory oversight and the flexibility needed for professionals, particularly in relation to continuing education. Some stakeholders argue that the continuing education requirements should be more adaptable to account for circumstances such as military service or significant illnesses. Additionally, the definitions of permissible practices and the board's authority to impose penalties have resulted in debates about the potential overreach of regulatory power, highlighting the importance of ensuring that legislative measures do not hinder the practice of qualified professionals.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA SB1319

Further providing for title of act, for short title, for declaration of purpose, for definitions, for creation of board and appointment and term of members and officers, for organization of board, for powers of board, for duties of board, for examination and qualification of applicants, for reciprocal licensing, for issuance and renewal of certificates, for payment and disposition of fees and for seal of architect; providing for architectural firm registration and for architectural firm names; further providing for permitted practices, for existing licenses, for existing rules and regulations and for unauthorized practice prohibited; providing for certification of interior designers; further providing for disciplinary proceedings, for penalties and for complaint procedure and hearings; providing for regulations; further providing for severability, for repeals and for effective date; and making editorial changes.

PA HB1170

Further providing for title of act; in purpose, short title and definitions, further providing for definitions and construction; in organization of the board, further providing for appointment and terms of members and quorum; in licenses of milk dealers, further providing for grounds for refusal, suspension or revocation; in moneys and expenses of board, further providing for expenses and for payment; and, in saving provisions, repealing provisions relating to Joint Study Committee.

PA HB1428

Further providing for title of act, for definitions, for State Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers, for powers and duties of board and for application and qualifications; providing for application and qualifications of home inspectors and home inspectors-in-training and for conduct of home inspection; further providing for reciprocity, for certification renewal, licensure renewal and records, for disciplinary and corrective measures, for reinstatement of certificate or license, for reporting of multiple certification, for surrender of suspended or revoked certificate or license, for penalties and for injunctive relief; providing for remedies for home inspection services consumers, for home inspection contracts and for home inspection reports; and making a repeal.

PA SB1196

Further providing for title of act, for definitions, for State Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers, for powers and duties of board and for application and qualifications; providing for application and qualifications of home inspectors and home inspectors-in-training and for conduct of home inspection; further providing for reciprocity, for certification renewal, licensure renewal and records, for disciplinary and corrective measures, for reinstatement of certificate or license, for reporting of multiple certification, for surrender of suspended or revoked certificate or license, for penalties and for injunctive relief; providing for remedies for home inspection services consumers, for home inspection contracts and for home inspection reports; and making a repeal.

PA SB907

Further providing for title of act, for definitions, for State Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers, for powers and duties of board and for application and qualifications; providing for application and qualifications of home inspectors and home inspectors-in-training and for conduct of home inspection; further providing for reciprocity, for certification renewal, licensure renewal and records, for disciplinary and corrective measures, for reinstatement of certificate or license, for reporting of multiple certification, for surrender of suspended or revoked certificate or license, for penalties and for injunctive relief; providing for remedies for home inspection services consumers, for home inspection contracts and for home inspection reports; and making a repeal.

PA SB1297

In purpose, short title and definitions, further providing for definitions and construction; in general powers of the board, providing for collection of premiums; in prices of milk, providing for board-established premiums and further providing for cooperatives; and, in moneys and expenses of board, further providing for Milk Marketing Fund and for payment and providing for audits.

PA SB689

In purpose, short title and definitions, further providing for definitions and construction; in general powers of the board, providing for collection of premiums; in prices of milk, providing for board-established premiums and further providing for cooperatives; and, in moneys and expenses of board, further providing for Milk Marketing Fund and for payment and providing for audits.

PA SB726

Further providing for definitions, for proposed regulations and procedures for review and for final-form regulations and final-omitted regulations and procedures for review; providing for regulations deemed withdrawn; further providing for procedures for subsequent review of disapproved final-form or final-omitted regulations; providing for concurrent resolution required for economically significant regulations; further providing for existing regulations; and providing for State agency regulatory compliance officers and for Independent Office of the Repealer.

PA HB1590

Further providing for powers and duties of board.

PA SB898

Further providing for licensing and regulating the practice of music therapy; and making editorial changes.

Similar Bills

PA SB1319

Further providing for title of act, for short title, for declaration of purpose, for definitions, for creation of board and appointment and term of members and officers, for organization of board, for powers of board, for duties of board, for examination and qualification of applicants, for reciprocal licensing, for issuance and renewal of certificates, for payment and disposition of fees and for seal of architect; providing for architectural firm registration and for architectural firm names; further providing for permitted practices, for existing licenses, for existing rules and regulations and for unauthorized practice prohibited; providing for certification of interior designers; further providing for disciplinary proceedings, for penalties and for complaint procedure and hearings; providing for regulations; further providing for severability, for repeals and for effective date; and making editorial changes.

OK HB1793

Professions and occupations; modifying various provisions of the State Architectural and Registered Commercial Interior Designers Act; effective date; emergency.

OK HB1793

Professions and occupations; modifying various provisions of the State Architectural and Registered Commercial Interior Designers Act; effective date; emergency.

OK HB1147

Professions and occupations; modifying the State Architectural and Registered Interior Designers Act; re-creating Board of Governors of the Licensed Architects, Landscape Architects and Registered Commercial Interior Designers; emergency.

IL SB3767

DFPR-LICENSE ENDORSEMENTS

DC PR25-1007

Board of Architecture, Interior Design, and Landscape Architecture Robert Alter Confirmation Resolution of 2024

VA SB1480

Professional and Occupational Regulation, Department of; deregulation of certain professions.

OK SB1962

Architects; clarifying scope of practice for architects. Effective date.