You asked for the legislative history of PA 02-142, “An Act Concerning Continuing Professional Education Requirements For Electricians And Plumbers. ”

PA 02-142 originated as SB 501 in the 2002 session. It is codified at CGS §§ 20-334d, -335, and 21a-8. The act requires the consumer protection commissioner to adopt regulations to (1) establish requirements for accredited continuing professional education for electricians and plumbers, (2) establish qualifying criteria for accredited continuing professional education programs, (3) establish qualifying criteria for acceptable certificates of continuing education, and (4) provide for waiving continuing education requirements for good cause. The commissioner must work with the advice and assistance of the licensing boards for electrical and plumbing work concerning their respective trades when adopting the regulations. The act requires electricians and plumbers, at times prescribed in regulation by the commissioner, to prove that they have met any continuing education requirements.

SB 501 was referred to the General Law Committee, which considered it at a public hearing on March 5, 2002. At the public hearing, the Independent Electrical Contractors Association, a non-union group, which asked for the bill to be passed, testified in favor of the bill. The Professional Plumbing Contractors Association asked to be included in the bill as well.

The commite then favorably reported it. The Senate referred it to the Appropriations Committee, which favorably reported it. The Senate then adopted Senate Amendment “A,” by a voice vote. The amendment (1) eliminated a requirement that licensees annually prove that they have met continuing education requirements and instead authorizes the consumer protection commissioner to prescribe when they must do so, (2) authorized the commissioner to contract for services to monitor continuing professional education requirements, and (3) required licensees to pay a fee to the contractor. The Senate adopted the amended bill by a vote of 35 to 1.

The House passed the amended version by a vote of 143 to 2, and it was signed by the governor on June 14, 2002.

The debate transcripts and public hearing testimony are attached.