INDIANA

HB 1236: Fire Prevention and Suppression Equipment

This bill establishes a licensing system for fire suppression equipment professionals in Indiana, creating both business licenses and technician licenses for individuals and companies involved in the service, repair, recharging, inspection, installation, maintenance, and hydrostatic testing of various fire suppression systems and extinguishers. The Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education (referred to as "the board") will be responsible for administering these licenses, setting standards for competent practice, issuing and revoking licenses, and establishing fees. The bill also outlines different classes of business and technician licenses based on the types of equipment handled, including standard fire extinguishers, pre-engineered systems, engineered systems, and systems using carbon dioxide. To obtain a license, applicants must meet age requirements, demonstrate experience and insurance (for businesses), complete training, pass an exam, and undergo a criminal background check. The board will also have the authority to take disciplinary action against licensees for violations, and engaging in unlicensed activities or misrepresenting credentials will be considered a Class B misdemeanor. Learn more here.

MARYLAND

HB0149: Fire Prevention - Assistant Fire Marshals, Residential Rental High-Rise Property Fire Safety Equipment, and Fire Alarm System Technicians

This bill modifies existing Maryland law concerning fire prevention by updating the qualifications and designation process for assistant state fire marshals, requiring the state fire marshal to adopt regulations for their training and certification and allowing for the designation of special assistant fire marshals for specific roles like arson investigations. It also redefines "high-rise building" for fire safety purposes to be based on the height above fire department vehicle access and mandates the installation of smoke detectors in public corridors of residential rental high-rise buildings by July 31, 2025, with automatic fire sprinklers and additional fire protection features required in such buildings undergoing substantial renovations (defined as permanent alterations costing 40% of the building's assessed value) starting October 1, 2026. Furthermore, the bill establishes a licensing and regulatory program for fire alarm system technicians and companies, defining their roles and outlining requirements for licensure, similar to the existing program for fire sprinkler contractors. Learn more here.

MISSOURI

HB2659: Establishes the "Missouri Statewide Mechanical Contractors Licensing Act"

This bill establishes the "Missouri Statewide Mechanical Contractors Licensing Act," creating a statewide license for mechanical contractors that will be recognized across all political subdivisions in Missouri, superseding local licensing requirements. The act defines a "mechanical contractor" as a company involved in the design, installation, maintenance, construction, alteration, repair, or inspection of various systems like HVAC, boilers, fuel gas piping, refrigeration, and fire suppression systems, with specific exclusions for certain hearth appliances. The Division of Professional Registration will administer this act, creating an Office of Mechanical Contractors to handle licensing, rule-making, fee collection, and enforcement. To obtain a statewide license, applicants must be at least 21 years old, possess liability insurance, pass a standardized mechanical assessment test, and have a minimum of 7,500 hours of verifiable field experience or an engineering degree with relevant experience. The bill also outlines grounds for refusing, suspending, or revoking a license, including fraud, incompetence, and violations of the act, and establishes penalties for knowing violations, including fines and misdemeanor charges. Political subdivisions are prohibited from requiring individual journeyman, apprentice, or occupation licenses for employees of statewide licensed contractors, though they can still enforce technical codes and issue business licenses and permits. Learn more here.

UTAH

HB 0040: Utah Construction Trades Licensing Act Amendments

This bill provides comprehensive amendments to the Utah Construction Trades Licensing Act, fundamentally restructuring how construction trades, alarm companies, and related professionals are licensed and regulated. This bill creates detailed definitions, establishing new licensing requirements, and creating more structured oversight mechanisms. The bill introduces new definitions for various construction trade professionals, including contractors, electricians, plumbers, and alarm company agents, with specific qualifications for each category. It establishes more rigorous licensing requirements, including mandatory pre-licensure courses, background checks, and continuing education requirements.

The bill also creates new provisions for financial responsibility, license renewal, and disciplinary actions, including specific guidelines for citations, fines, and license suspension or revocation. Additionally, the bill introduces a $1 surcharge for licenses to provide licensees with access to an internet-based library of national, state, and local building codes and standards. The changes aim to enhance public safety by ensuring that construction trade professionals are properly trained, qualified, and held to consistent professional standards. The bill will take effect on January 1, 2027, allowing stakeholders time to prepare for the new regulatory framework. Learn more here.