S05137 Summary:

BILL NOS05137A
 
SAME ASSAME AS A05815-B
 
SPONSORSAVINO
 
COSPNSRBONACIC, ADDABBO, AKSHAR, ALCANTARA, AVELLA, BAILEY, BENJAMIN, BOYLE, BRESLIN, BROOKS, CARLUCCI, COMRIE, DEFRANCISCO, DILAN, FUNKE, GALLIVAN, GIANARIS, GOLDEN, GRIFFO, HAMILTON, HANNON, HELMING, HOYLMAN, JACOBS, KAMINSKY, KAVANAGH, KENNEDY, KRUEGER, LANZA, LARKIN, LITTLE, MARCELLINO, MAYER, MONTGOMERY, MURPHY, O'MARA, ORTT, PARKER, PERALTA, PERSAUD, PHILLIPS, RITCHIE, RIVERA, ROBACH, SANDERS, SEPULVEDA, SERRANO, STAVISKY, TEDISCO, VALESKY
 
MLTSPNSR
 
Add Art 33 §§950 - 958, Lab L; add §97-pppp, St Fin L
 
Requires the licensing of persons engaged in the design, construction, operation, inspection, maintenance, alteration and repair of elevators and other automatic people moving devices and creates the New York state elevator safety and standards board and the elevator and related conveyances safety program account.
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S05137 Actions:

BILL NOS05137A
 
03/09/2017REFERRED TO LABOR
04/27/2017AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO LABOR
04/27/2017PRINT NUMBER 5137A
05/22/2017REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE
01/03/2018REFERRED TO LABOR
01/22/2018REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE
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S05137 Committee Votes:

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S05137 Floor Votes:

There are no votes for this bill in this legislative session.
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S05137 Text:



 
                STATE OF NEW YORK
        ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                         5137--A
 
                               2017-2018 Regular Sessions
 
                    IN SENATE
 
                                      March 9, 2017
                                       ___________
 
        Introduced by Sens. SAVINO, BONACIC, ADDABBO, AKSHAR, ALCANTARA, AVELLA,
          BAILEY,  BROOKS,  CARLUCCI,  DILAN, FUNKE, GALLIVAN, GRIFFO, HAMILTON,
          HELMING, HOYLMAN, JACOBS, KAMINSKY, KENNEDY, KRUEGER, LANZA,  LATIMER,
          LITTLE,  MURPHY,  ORTT,  PERALTA, RITCHIE, ROBACH, SANDERS, VALESKY --
          read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to  be  committed  to
          the  Committee on Labor -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered
          reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
 
        AN ACT to amend the labor law and the state finance law, in relation  to
          requiring   the   licensing   of   persons   engaged  in  the  design,
          construction,  inspection,  maintenance,  alteration,  and  repair  of
          elevators and other automated people moving devices
 
          The  People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-
        bly, do enact as follows:
 
     1    Section 1. The labor law is amended by adding a new article 33 to read
     2  as follows:
     3                                 ARTICLE 33
     4                 ELEVATORS AND OTHER CONVEYANCES; LICENSING
     5  Section 950. Legislative findings and declaration.
     6          951. Application.
     7          952. Definitions.
     8          953. Licensing, permit,  registration  and  compliance  require-
     9                 ments.
    10          954. License and permit procedure.
    11          955. Qualifications, training and continuing education.
    12          956. Powers of the commissioner.
    13          957. New York state elevator safety and standards board.
    14          958. Exempt persons.
    15    §  950.  Legislative  findings and declaration. The legislature hereby
    16  finds that the use of unsafe and defective elevators and other automated
    17  people moving conveyances may expose the public to unsafe conditions and
    18  increase the risk of injury. The legislature finds that improper design,

         EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                              [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                                   LBD01705-06-7

        S. 5137--A                          2
 
     1  construction, maintenance and repair of such conveyances is  preventable
     2  by  requiring  proper  training  of  persons employed to perform work on
     3  elevators and other automated people moving conveyances and by requiring
     4  the  licensing  of  contractors  and  the  certification  of individuals
     5  involved in elevator  and  other  automated  people  moving  conveyances
     6  projects.
     7    Nothing  in  this  article  is  intended  to create, expand, diminish,
     8  limit, impair, or supersede any rights under current law, rule, or regu-
     9  lation, or resulting from a determination of a  court  or  the  national
    10  labor  relations  board  with  regard to building trades and the work of
    11  such building trade. Nor is it intended to abrogate any rights or duties
    12  under any contract with regard to building trades and the work  of  such
    13  building trade.
    14    §  951.  Application. 1. The design, construction, erection, installa-
    15  tion, inspection, testing, maintenance, alteration, service, and  repair
    16  of the following equipment are covered by this article:
    17    (a)  hoisting  and lowering mechanisms equipped with a car or platform
    18  which moves between two or more landings. This equipment  includes,  but
    19  is not limited to elevators, platform lifts and stairway chair lifts;
    20    (b)  power  driven stairways and walkways for carrying persons between
    21  landings.  This equipment includes, but is not  limited  to,  escalators
    22  and moving walks;
    23    (c) hoisting and lowering mechanisms equipped with a car, which serves
    24  two  or  more  landings and is restricted to the carrying of material by
    25  its limited size or limited access to the car. This equipment  includes,
    26  but is not limited to, dumbwaiters, material lifts, and dumbwaiters with
    27  automatic  transfer devices as defined in section nine hundred fifty-two
    28  of this article; and
    29    (d) automatic guided transit vehicles on guideways with  an  exclusive
    30  right  of  way.   This equipments includes, but is not limited to, auto-
    31  mated people movers.
    32    2. The following equipment is not covered by this article:
    33    (a) material hoists;
    34    (b) manlifts;
    35    (c) mobile scaffolds, towers, and platforms;
    36    (d) powered platforms and equipment for exterior and interior  mainte-
    37  nance;
    38    (e) conveyor and related equipment;
    39    (f) cranes, derricks, hoists, hooks, jacks and slings;
    40    (g) industrial trucks;
    41    (h) portable  equipment, except for portable escalators;
    42    (i)  tiering  and  piling  machines used to move materials to and from
    43  storage located and operating entirely within one story;
    44    (j) equipment for feeding or positioning materials including, but  not
    45  limited to, machine tools and printing presses;
    46    (k) skip or furnace hoists;
    47    (l) wharf ramps;
    48    (m) railroad car lifts or dumpers;
    49    (n)  line  jacks,  false  cars, shafters, moving platforms and similar
    50  equipment used for installing an elevator by a  contractor  licensed  in
    51  this state.
    52    3.  The  licensing,  permitting  and  certification provisions of this
    53  article shall not apply to the owners or lessees of  private  residences
    54  who  design,  erect, construct, install, alter, repair, service or main-
    55  tain conveyances that are located or will be located in  such  owner  or
    56  lessee's  private residence. However, any person hired to design, erect,

        S. 5137--A                          3
 
     1  construct, install, alter, repair, service,  maintain,  or  perform  any
     2  other  work  related to such conveyances must comply with the provisions
     3  of this article.
     4    4.  No  license  shall  be  required for the removal or dismantling of
     5  conveyances.
     6    5. The provisions of this article and the rules adopted pursuant ther-
     7  eto shall be the minimum  standard  required  and  shall  supersede  any
     8  special  law  or  local  ordinance  inconsistent therewith, and no local
     9  ordinance inconsistent therewith shall be adopted,  but  nothing  herein
    10  contained shall prevent the enactment by local law or ordinance of addi-
    11  tional requirements and restrictions.
    12    § 952. Definitions. As used in this article, the following terms shall
    13  have the following definitions:
    14    1.  "Automated  people  mover"  means a guided transit mode with fully
    15  automated operation, featuring vehicles that operate on  guideways  with
    16  exclusive right-of-way.
    17    2.  "Board"  means  the  New  York state elevator safety and standards
    18  board established by section nine hundred fifty-seven of this article.
    19    3. "Certificate of operation" means a document issued by  the  commis-
    20  sioner  that  indicates  that the elevator or related conveyance has had
    21  the required safety inspection and tests and that the fees  required  by
    22  this article have been paid.
    23    4. "Temporary certificate of operation" means a document issued by the
    24  commissioner which permits the temporary use of a non-compliant elevator
    25  or  related  conveyance by the general public for a limited time, not to
    26  exceed thirty days, while minor repairs are being completed.
    27    5. "Conveyance" means  any  elevator,  dumbwaiter,  escalator,  moving
    28  sidewalk,  platform  lifts,  stairway  chairlifts  and  automated people
    29  movers.
    30    6. "Dormant elevator, dumbwaiter, or escalator" means an  installation
    31  placed  out  of  service  under the following circumstances: (a) when an
    32  installation's power has been disconnected  and  (i)  when  an  electric
    33  elevator,  dumbwaiter, or material lift whose suspension ropes have been
    34  removed, whose car and counterweight rest at the bottom of the hoistway,
    35  and whose hoistway doors have been permanently barricaded or  sealed  in
    36  the  closed position on the hoistway side; or (ii) a hydraulic elevator,
    37  dumbwaiter, or material lift whose car rests at the bottom of the hoist-
    38  way and whose doors are permanently barricaded or sealed;  or  (iii)  an
    39  escalator or moving walk whose entrances have been permanently barricad-
    40  ed;  or  (b)  as  determined by state or local law, code, rule, or regu-
    41  lations.
    42    7. "Elevator" means a hoisting and lowering mechanism, equipped with a
    43  car, that moves within guides and serves two or more landings.
    44    8. "Elevator contractor" means, a public corporation, or instrumental-
    45  ity of a public corporation, self-employed person,  company,  unincorpo-
    46  rated  association, firm, partnership, limited liability company, corpo-
    47  ration, or any other entity, or any owner or  operator  of  any  of  the
    48  foregoing  entities,  who  possesses an elevator contractor's license in
    49  accordance with the provisions of sections nine hundred fifty-three  and
    50  nine  hundred  fifty-four of this article and is engaged in the business
    51  of designing, erecting, constructing, installing,  altering,  repairing,
    52  servicing  or  maintaining  elevators  or  other automated people moving
    53  conveyances covered by this article.
    54    9. "Elevator helper/apprentice/assistant mechanic"  means  any  person
    55  who works under the general direction of a licensed elevator mechanic.

        S. 5137--A                          4
 
     1    10.  "Elevator  inspector"  means any person who possesses an elevator
     2  inspector's license in accordance with the provisions of this article.
     3    11.  "Elevator  mechanic"  means  any person who possesses an elevator
     4  mechanic's license in accordance with the provisions of this article.
     5    12. "Escalator" means power-driven, inclined, continuous stairway used
     6  for raising or lowering passengers.
     7    13. "Existing  installation"  means  an  installation  that  has  been
     8  completed  or  is under construction prior to the effective date of this
     9  article.
    10    14. "License" means a license duly issued by the commissioner, author-
    11  izing the  design,  erection,  construction,  installation,  alteration,
    12  repair,  service,  maintenance,  or  inspection  of  elevators  or other
    13  conveyances covered by this article.
    14    15. "Elevator contractor's license" means a license which entitles the
    15  holder thereof  to  engage  in  the  business  of  designing,  erecting,
    16  constructing,  installing, altering, repairing, servicing or maintaining
    17  conveyances covered by this article.
    18    16. "Elevator inspector's license" means a license which entitles  the
    19  holder  thereof  to  engage  in  the  business  of inspecting or testing
    20  conveyances covered by this article.
    21    17. "Elevator mechanic's license" means a license which  entitles  the
    22  holder  thereof  to  install,  construct,  alter, service, repair, test,
    23  maintain, and perform work on  conveyances  or  other  automated  people
    24  movers covered by this article.
    25    18.  "Moving  walk/sidewalk" means a type of passenger-carrying device
    26  on which passengers stand or walk, and in which  the  passenger-carrying
    27  surface  remains  parallel  to  its  direction of motion and is uninter-
    28  rupted.
    29    19. "Permit" means a document issued by the commissioner prior to  the
    30  commencement   of   work  that  permits  a  conveyance  to  be  erected,
    31  constructed, installed, or altered under plans approved by  the  commis-
    32  sioner pursuant to this article.
    33    20. "Person" means any natural person.
    34    21. "Private residence" means a separate dwelling or a separate apart-
    35  ment  in  a  multiple dwelling, which is occupied by members of a single
    36  family unit.
    37    22. "Repair" means reconditioning or  renewal  of  parts,  components,
    38  and/or  subsystems necessary to keep equipment in compliance with appli-
    39  cable code requirements.
    40    23. "Alteration" means any change to equipment, including  its  parts,
    41  components,  and/or  subsystems,  other  than  maintenance,  repair,  or
    42  replacement, but shall not include the professional  services  of  engi-
    43  neering  or  architecture as defined in sections seventy-two hundred one
    44  and seventy-three hundred one of the education law.
    45    24. "Design" means the act or process of planning the  repair,  alter-
    46  ation  or  construction  of  any  conveyance,  but shall not include the
    47  professional services of  engineering  or  architecture  as  defined  in
    48  sections  seventy-two  hundred  one and seventy-three hundred one of the
    49  education law.
    50    25. "Construction" means  the  act  or  process  of  constructing  any
    51  conveyance.
    52    26.  "Inspection"  means a critical examination, observation or evalu-
    53  ation of quality and code compliance of any conveyance.
    54    27. "Testing" means a process or trial of operation of any conveyance.
    55    28. "Maintenance" means a process of routine examination, lubrication,
    56  cleaning, and adjustment of parts, components, and/or subsystems for the

        S. 5137--A                          5
 
     1  purpose of ensuring performance in accordance with any  applicable  code
     2  requirements.
     3    29.  "Service  or servicing" means a service call or other unscheduled
     4  visit, not including routine maintenance or a repair,  from  a  licensed
     5  elevator  mechanic to troubleshoot, adjust or repair an improperly func-
     6  tioning or an otherwise shut down conveyance.
     7    30. "Temporarily dormant elevator, dumbwaiter, or escalator" means  an
     8  installation  temporarily  placed  out  of  service  under the following
     9  circumstances: (a) (i) when such installation's power  supply  has  been
    10  disconnected;  and  (ii)  the car is parked and any doors are closed and
    11  latched; and (iii) a wire seal is installed on the  mainline  disconnect
    12  switch  by  a licensed elevator inspector; or (b) as determined by state
    13  or local law, code, rule, or regulation.
    14    31. "Erect" means to vertically construct or connect any conveyance or
    15  part or system thereof.
    16    32. "Installation" means to place or fix any  conveyance  or  part  or
    17  system thereof, in position for operation.
    18    Temporarily dormant installations shall not be used until such instal-
    19  lation  has  been  restored  to a safe running order and is in condition
    20  suitable for use in accordance with all applicable  laws,  codes,  rules
    21  and  regulations. Such temporarily dormant installation shall be subject
    22  to continued inspections for the duration of the  "temporarily  dormant"
    23  status  by  a  licensed  elevator inspector. Such inspector shall file a
    24  report with the commissioner describing the conditions of such temporar-
    25  ily dormant installation. The report shall be filed annually or more  or
    26  less  frequent  as determined by the commissioner. "Temporarily dormant"
    27  status shall be renewable on an annual basis, but  shall  not  exceed  a
    28  five-year period.
    29    No person shall remove the wire seal and padlock for any purpose with-
    30  out the express permission of the elevator inspector.
    31    § 953. Licensing, permit, registration and compliance requirements. 1.
    32  Except  as  otherwise  provided  for  in  subdivisions three and four of
    33  section nine hundred fifty-one of this article, it shall be a  violation
    34  of this article for any elevator contractor to design, erect, construct,
    35  install,  alter, replace, service, or maintain, any conveyance contained
    36  within buildings or  structures  in  this  state  unless  such  elevator
    37  contractor holds an elevator contractor's license.
    38    2.  Except as otherwise provided for in subdivisions three and four of
    39  section nine hundred fifty-one of this article, it shall be a  violation
    40  of this article for any person to wire any conveyance, from the mainline
    41  feeder terminals on the controller, in this state unless such person has
    42  an  elevator  mechanic's  license and is working under the direct super-
    43  vision of a licensed elevator contractor pursuant to  this  article.  No
    44  other  license  shall be required for this work, excluding the installa-
    45  tion of branch circuits and wiring terminations for machine room and pit
    46  lighting, receptacles and HVAC as described in the NFPA  National  Elec-
    47  tric  Code  620.23  and  620.24  as  well as fire and heat detectors and
    48  alarms, may be performed by a licensed  electrical  contractor.    Addi-
    49  tionally,  within New York city, the installation of branch circuits and
    50  wiring  terminations  for  the  car  fan,  lights  and  receptacles,  as
    51  described  in  the NFPA National Electric Code 620.22, and intercoms and
    52  voice communications as well as signal equipment or systems, as  defined
    53  in  NFPA  Article 620.2, that is not directly associated with the opera-
    54  tion or safety of any conveyance, may be performed by a  licensed  elec-
    55  trical contractor.

        S. 5137--A                          6
 
     1    3.  Except  as  otherwise provided for in subdivision three of section
     2  nine hundred fifty-one of this article, it shall be a violation of  this
     3  article  for  any person to inspect or test any conveyance within build-
     4  ings or structures unless such  person  holds  an  elevator  inspector's
     5  license.
     6    4.  Except as otherwise provided for in subdivisions three and four of
     7  section nine hundred fifty-one of this article, it shall be a  violation
     8  of  this  article  for  any  elevator  contractor  to  erect, construct,
     9  install, or alter conveyances within buildings or structures within this
    10  state unless a permit therefor  has  been  issued  by  the  commissioner
    11  before  work  is commenced. No permit shall be issued except to a person
    12  holding a valid elevator contractor's license. A  copy  of  such  permit
    13  shall be kept at the construction site at all times while the work is in
    14  progress.
    15    5.  Except  as otherwise provided in subdivision three of section nine
    16  hundred fifty-one of this  article,  all  new  conveyance  installations
    17  shall  be  performed  by an elevator contractor licensed to install such
    18  conveyance. Subsequent to installation,  the  elevator  contractor  must
    19  certify  compliance  to the commissioner with the applicable sections of
    20  this article as well as any other applicable law,  rule,  regulation  or
    21  code.    Prior  to  such  conveyances  being used, the property owner or
    22  lessee must obtain a certificate of operation from the  commissioner.  A
    23  fee, as set forth in this article, shall be paid for such certificate of
    24  operation,  however,  no  such  fee shall be required for conveyances in
    25  private residences. It is the responsibility of  the  licensed  elevator
    26  contractor  to  complete and submit registrations for new installations.
    27  A certificate of operation shall be  valid  for  one  year,  except  for
    28  certificates  issued  for  platform  and stairway chairlifts for private
    29  residences, which shall be valid for a period of  three  years.  Certif-
    30  icates  of  operation must be clearly and conspicuously displayed on, in
    31  or around each conveyance and be accessible to  the  state  or  locality
    32  inspecting or enforcing any applicable law, rule, regulation or code.
    33    6.  Except  as otherwise provided in subdivision three of section nine
    34  hundred fifty-one of this article,  the  certificate  of  operation  for
    35  newly installed platform lifts and stairway chairlifts for private resi-
    36  dences  shall  be  issued only subsequent to an inspection by a licensed
    37  third party inspection firm. The certificate of operation  fee  for  all
    38  new and existing platform and stairway chairlifts for private residences
    39  and  any  renewal  certificate fees are hereby waived. The inspection of
    40  private residence platform and stairway chairlifts shall be done at  the
    41  request and consent of the private residence's owner or lessees.
    42    7.  It  shall  be  the  responsibility of licensees to ensure that the
    43  installation, service or maintenance  of  conveyances  is  performed  in
    44  compliance with existing state and local building and maintenance codes.
    45    §  954.  License  and  permit procedure. All applications for elevator
    46  contractor's, elevator mechanic's, and elevator inspector's licenses and
    47  required permits shall be submitted to  the  department  in  writing  on
    48  forms  furnished  by  the commissioner and shall contain the information
    49  set forth in this section as well as any additional information that the
    50  commissioner may require. The  commissioner  shall  also  set  fees  for
    51  licensing and permitting under this section.
    52    1.  Applications  for  licenses. Every application for a license under
    53  this article shall include the following:
    54    (a) the name, residence address and business address of the applicant;
    55    (b) the number of years the applicant has engaged in the  business  or
    56  practice  of  designing, constructing, erecting, installing, inspecting,

        S. 5137--A                          7
 
     1  testing, repairing,  altering,  maintaining,  or  servicing  conveyances
     2  covered by this article;
     3    (c)  the  approximate number of persons, if any, to be employed by the
     4  applicant for an elevator contractor's license;
     5    (d) evidence that the applicant is  or  will  be  covered  by  general
     6  liability, personal injury and property damage insurance; and
     7    (e) any other information which the commissioner may require.
     8    Upon  approval  of an application for a license the commissioner shall
     9  issue such license which shall be valid for two years. The fees for such
    10  license and renewal thereof shall be set by the commissioner. Any denial
    11  for such application shall set forth the reasons therefor.
    12    2. Application for permits. Every application for a permit under  this
    13  article  shall  include plans and specifications stamped and signed by a
    14  professional engineer and/or an architect licensed pursuant  to  article
    15  one  hundred  forty-five  and/or  article one hundred forty-seven of the
    16  education law.  Every application for a permit under this article  shall
    17  include the following:
    18    (a)  copies  of  the  specifications  and  accurately scaled and fully
    19  dimensioned plans showing the location of the installation  in  relation
    20  to the plans and elevation of the building;
    21    (b)  the  location  of  the  machinery  room  and  the equipment to be
    22  installed, relocated or altered;
    23    (c) all structural supporting members thereof, including foundations;
    24    (d) a list of all materials  to  be  employed  and  all  loads  to  be
    25  supported and conveyed;
    26    (e)  any other information that the commissioner may require to ensure
    27  that such plans and specifications are sufficiently complete and  illus-
    28  trate all details of construction and design; and
    29    (f)  any  required  permitting  fees, which are subject to return upon
    30  denial of a permit application.
    31    Upon approval of an application for a permit  the  commissioner  shall
    32  issue  such  permit.  Such permit shall state the time by which the work
    33  shall commence and also when such permit expires. If after the work  has
    34  been started, work is suspended or abandoned for a period of sixty days,
    35  or  such  shorter  period of time as the commissioner may specify at the
    36  time the permit is issued, the permit shall expire.  Upon expiration  of
    37  a  permit  for  which  work has not been completed, the commissioner may
    38  extend such permit.
    39    3. Licensing and permitting exemptions. Whenever an  emergency  exists
    40  in  this  state  due  to  a  disaster  or act of God, which imperils the
    41  health, safety or welfare of an individual or  individuals  and  placing
    42  such individual or individuals in imminent danger of injury or death and
    43  the number of persons in the state holding licenses granted by the board
    44  is  insufficient  to cope with such emergency, any person certified by a
    45  licensed elevator contractor to have an acceptable combination of  docu-
    46  mented  experience and education to perform elevator work without direct
    47  and immediate supervision shall seek an  emergency  elevator  mechanic's
    48  license from the commissioner within five business days after commencing
    49  work requiring a license.  The commissioner shall issue emergency eleva-
    50  tor  mechanic's  licenses  to  address  the  emergency  that exists. The
    51  licensed elevator contractor shall furnish proof of  competency  as  the
    52  commissioner  may  require.  Each  such  license shall recite that it is
    53  valid for a period of fifteen days from the date thereof  and  for  such
    54  particular  elevators  or  geographical  areas  as  the commissioner may
    55  designate to address the emergency situation and otherwise shall entitle
    56  the licensee to the rights and  privileges  of  an  elevator  mechanic's

        S. 5137--A                          8
 
     1  license  issued  in this article.  The commissioner shall renew an emer-
     2  gency elevator mechanic's license during the existence of  an  emergency
     3  as needed. No fee shall be charged for any emergency elevator mechanic's
     4  license or renewal thereof.
     5    4.  Restricted  license.  A  restricted class of lift mechanic license
     6  shall be known as "accessibility  technician".  Such  class  of  license
     7  shall  be  restricted  to  performing  work involving platform lifts and
     8  stairway chairlifts including  those  installed  in  private  residences
     9  which are covered by the provisions of ASME (American society of mechan-
    10  ical  engineer)  codes  and  standards A18.1-2005. An applicant for such
    11  restricted license shall complete an application approved by  the  board
    12  and  shall  have  at  least  three  years  verified  work  experience in
    13  constructing, maintaining and repairing  those  lifts  covered  by  ASME
    14  A18.1-2005  and  shall  provide  to  the  commissioner  a certificate of
    15  completion of an accessibility training  program  for  lifts  under  the
    16  scope  of  A18.1-2005  such  as  the  certified  accessibility  training
    17  provided by the national association  of  elevator  contractors,  or  an
    18  equivalent program as deemed by the department.
    19    §  955.  Qualifications,  training  and  continuing  education.  1. No
    20  license shall be granted to any person who has  not  paid  the  required
    21  application  fee  and  demonstrated his or her qualifications and abili-
    22  ties. Applicants for a mechanic's license must demonstrate  one  of  the
    23  following  qualifications:  (a)  an acceptable combination of documented
    24  experience and education credits consisting of (i) not  less  than  four
    25  years  work  experience  in  the  construction,  maintenance and service
    26  repair of elevators, as verified by current and previous  employers  and
    27  (ii)  satisfactory  completion of a written examination, administered or
    28  accepted by the commissioner, on the most recent  national,  state,  and
    29  local conveyances codes and standards; or
    30    (b)   acceptable   proof  that  he  or  she  has  worked  on  elevator
    31  construction, maintenance or repair with  direct  and  immediate  super-
    32  vision in this state for a period of not less than four years immediate-
    33  ly  prior  to  the  effective  date  of this article, provided that such
    34  applicant shall file such application within one  year  of  release  and
    35  access to the licensing application as defined in this article; or
    36    (c)  a  certificate  of successful completion and successfully passing
    37  the mechanic examination of a nationally recognized training program for
    38  the elevator industry including, but not limited to, the national eleva-
    39  tor industry educational program or its equivalent; or
    40    (d) a certificate of successful completion of the joint apprentice and
    41  training committee of the elevator industry of local 3, IBEW,  EE  divi-
    42  sion  training program or an apprenticeship program for elevator mechan-
    43  ics, having standards substantially equal to those of this chapter,  and
    44  registered  with the bureau of apprenticeship and training, U.S. depart-
    45  ment of labor or a state apprenticeship council; or
    46    (e) industry educational program, The National Association of Elevator
    47  Contractors (NAEC) Certified Elevator Technician (CET), or their  equiv-
    48  alent; or
    49    (f)  The  commissioner shall upon application and without examination,
    50  issue a license to any person over the age of  eighteen  years  who  has
    51  been duly  licensed by any other state of the United States to engage in
    52  the business of construction, operation, inspection, maintenance, alter-
    53  ation  and  repair  of  elevators  as  verified  by current and previous
    54  employers, upon compliance with standards and requirements not lower, in
    55  the judgement of the commissioner than those of  this  state,  provided,
    56  however,  that  such state extends the same reciprocity to the licensees

        S. 5137--A                          9
 
     1  of this state. Such application shall be  accompanied  by  the  required
     2  license fee.
     3    2. Applicants for an elevator contractor's license must demonstrate to
     4  the commissioner that such elevator contractor employs licensed elevator
     5  mechanics  who perform the work described in section nine hundred fifty-
     6  one of this article and have proof  of  compliance  with  the  insurance
     7  requirements  set  forth  in paragraph (d) of subdivision one of section
     8  nine hundred fifty-four of this article.
     9    3. Applicants for an elevator inspector's license must demonstrate  to
    10  the  satisfaction  of  the  commissioner  that  such  applicant meets or
    11  exceeds applicable standards such  as  a  Qualified  Elevator  Inspector
    12  (QEI)  or its equivalent. Private elevator inspectors shall maintain the
    13  same insurance requirements as an elevator contractor.
    14    4. (a) The renewal of all licenses granted  under  the  provisions  of
    15  this  subdivision  shall be conditioned upon the submission of a certif-
    16  icate of completion of a course designed to ensure the continuing educa-
    17  tion of licensees on new and existing national, state, and local convey-
    18  ances codes and standards and on technology and technical education  and
    19  workplace  safety.  Such  course  shall  consist  of not less than eight
    20  contact hours (.8 CEU) annually and completed preceding any such license
    21  renewal. The commissioner shall establish  requirements  for  continuing
    22  education  and  training  programs,  and shall approve such programs, as
    23  well as maintain a list of approved programs which shall be made  avail-
    24  able  to  license  applicants, permit applicants, renewal applicants and
    25  other interested parties upon request. The commissioner shall promulgate
    26  rules and regulations setting forth the criteria for  approval  of  such
    27  programs,  the  procedures to be followed in applying for such approval,
    28  and other rules and regulations as the commissioner deems necessary  and
    29  proper to effectuate the purposes of this section.
    30    (b)  The  commissioner  shall  assess  a fee for each training program
    31  completion  certificate  and  for  each   refresher   training   program
    32  completion certificate.
    33    5.  The  renewal  of all licenses granted under the provisions of this
    34  section shall be conditioned upon the submission  of  a  certificate  of
    35  completion  of  a  course designed to ensure the continuing education of
    36  licensees on new and existing regulations of the department. Such course
    37  shall consist of not less than eight contact hours (.8 CEU) of  instruc-
    38  tion  that  shall  be  attended and completed annually prior to any such
    39  license renewal.
    40    The courses shall be taught  through  continuing  education  providers
    41  that may include, but shall not be limited to, association seminars, and
    42  labor training programs or programs that deliver an approved apprentice-
    43  ship  and  are  registered  with  the  department  or the New York state
    44  apprenticeship training council.  The  commissioner  shall  approve  the
    45  continuing education providers. All instructors shall be exempt from the
    46  requirements of the preceding paragraph with regard to their application
    47  for  license  renewal  provided  that such applicant was qualified as an
    48  instructor at any time during the one  year  immediately  preceding  the
    49  scheduled date for such renewal.
    50    Approved  training  providers shall keep uniform records, for a period
    51  of six years, of attendance of licensees following a format approved  by
    52  the  commissioner  and such records shall be available for inspection by
    53  the commissioner at his or her request.    Approved  training  providers
    54  shall  be  responsible  for  the  security of all attendance records and
    55  certificates of completion; provided, however, that falsifying or  know-
    56  ingly  allowing  another  to  falsify such attendance records or certif-

        S. 5137--A                         10
 
     1  icates of completion shall constitute grounds for suspension or  revoca-
     2  tion of the approval required under this section.
     3    § 956. Powers of the commissioner.  1. The commissioner shall have the
     4  authority  to  inspect,  or  cause to be inspected, ongoing or completed
     5  conveyances projects and to conduct an investigation  thereof  upon  the
     6  commissioner's  own  initiation  or  upon  receipt of a complaint by any
     7  person or entity. However, nothing in this subdivision shall permit  the
     8  commissioner to enter a private residence.
     9    2.  If, upon receipt of a complaint alleging a violation of this arti-
    10  cle, the commissioner reasonable believes that such violation exists, he
    11  or she shall investigate as soon as practicable  to  determine  if  such
    12  violation  exists.  If  the commissioner determines that no violation or
    13  danger exists, the commissioner shall inform the complaining  person  or
    14  entity.
    15    3.  If,  upon  investigation,  the  commissioner  determines  that the
    16  alleged violation exists, the commissioner may deliver to such owner  or
    17  elevator  contractor  or  his  or  her agent or representative a written
    18  order to cure such violation and may order that their permit to work  on
    19  such  installation,  repair  or  maintenance  project shall be suspended
    20  until such violation is cured. Such order shall  specifically  enumerate
    21  the  violations which constitute the basis of the order to cure or order
    22  of suspension and shall specify the corrective action to be  taken.  The
    23  commissioner may allow the permit to toll during the time of such order.
    24    4.  Upon  receipt of a written notice from the elevator contractor, or
    25  his or her  agent  or  representative,  that  such  violation  has  been
    26  corrected,  the  commissioner  shall,  within ten days, issue a determi-
    27  nation as to whether such order to cure  has  been  satisfied  and  such
    28  order of suspension, if any, shall be lifted. If the commissioner deter-
    29  mines  that  the  order  to  cure  has  not been satisfied he or she may
    30  continue such order for a reasonable period of time upon the consent  of
    31  the  contractor,  or  his or her agent or representative. If the commis-
    32  sioner does not continue the order, or if the contractor, or his or  her
    33  agent  or  representative  does  not  consent  to such continuation, the
    34  contractor shall have the right to a hearing to determine if such  order
    35  shall  be lifted. Any entity or contractor who may be adversely affected
    36  by a notice, suspension, or determination issued under this section  may
    37  commence  a  proceeding  pursuant  to article seventy-eight of the civil
    38  practice law and rules.
    39    5. The commissioner may, after a notice and hearing, suspend or revoke
    40  a license issued under this  article  based  on  any  of  the  following
    41  violations:
    42    (a) any false statement as to a material matter in the application;
    43    (b) fraud, or misrepresentation, in securing a license;
    44    (c)  failure  to  notify the commissioner and the owner or lessee of a
    45  conveyance of any condition not in compliance with this article;
    46    (d) a violation of section nine hundred fifty-three of  this  article;
    47  or
    48    (e)  a finding by the commissioner that a contractor has violated this
    49  article or any rule or regulation promulgated thereunder twice within  a
    50  period  of three years, or that a contractor has violated a provision of
    51  this article and such violation resulted in  a  serious  threat  to  the
    52  health  or safety of an individual or individuals. The commissioner may,
    53  in addition to ordering that such contractor's license be  revoked,  bar
    54  such  individual  from  being eligible to reapply for such license for a
    55  period not to exceed two years.

        S. 5137--A                         11
 
     1    6. The commissioner may, after notice and  hearing,  revoke  a  permit
     2  issued under this article based on any of the following violations:
     3    (a) any false statements or misrepresentation as to a material fact in
     4  the application, plans, or specifications on which the permit was based;
     5    (b)  any application which by omission or mistake fails to comply with
     6  the requirements of this article;
     7    (c) any failure to perform work in accordance with the  provisions  of
     8  the  application,  plans  or  specifications or with the requirements of
     9  this article or conditions of the permit;
    10    (d) a failure by the owner or elevator contractor to whom  the  permit
    11  was  issued  to comply with an order issued pursuant to subdivision four
    12  of this section; or
    13    (e) a finding by the commissioner that an individual or contractor who
    14  has been issued a permit has violated any provision under  section  nine
    15  hundred fifty-three of this article.
    16    7. (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this subdivision, if the
    17  commissioner  finds,  after  notice  and hearing, that an individual has
    18  violated any provision of this article, he or she  may  impose  a  civil
    19  penalty not to exceed one thousand dollars for each such violation. Upon
    20  a second or subsequent violation within three years of the determination
    21  of a prior violation, the commissioner may impose a civil penalty not to
    22  exceed two thousand dollars.
    23    (b)  The penalty provided for in paragraph (a) of this subdivision may
    24  be increased to an amount not to exceed five  thousand  dollars  if  the
    25  violation  resulted  in  a  serious threat to the health or safety of an
    26  individual or individuals.
    27    8. Any entity or contractor who may be adversely affected by an  order
    28  issued  under this section may commence a proceeding pursuant to article
    29  seventy-eight of the civil practice law and rules.
    30    9. The commissioner may bring an action in a court of competent juris-
    31  diction to enjoin any conduct that violates the provisions of this arti-
    32  cle.
    33    10. The commissioner may promulgate rules and regulations necessary to
    34  carry out and effectuate the provisions of this article.
    35    § 957. New York state elevator  safety  and  standards  board.  1.  An
    36  elevator  safety  and  standards  board is hereby created, to consist of
    37  nine members. The governor, the temporary president of the  senate,  and
    38  the speaker of the assembly shall each appoint three members. The gover-
    39  nor's  appointees  shall  be  comprised  of  a representative of a major
    40  elevator manufacturing company, an elevator  inspector  and  a  building
    41  owner,  manager  or  representative;  the  temporary  president  of  the
    42  senate's appointees shall be comprised of an elevator servicing company,
    43  an elevator architectural designer or consultant, and an individual from
    44  an elevator industry association; the speaker of the assembly's appoint-
    45  ees shall be comprised of an elevator contractor employee  labor  union,
    46  an  elevator  mechanic, and a fire marshal. The commissioners of health,
    47  labor, education, and economic development or their designees  shall  be
    48  ex-officio members. The board shall meet on an as needed basis to advise
    49  the  commissioner on the implementation of this article. The board shall
    50  elect a chairperson to serve for the term of their  appointment  to  the
    51  board.    The  board shall prepare an annual report for the governor and
    52  the legislature, copies of which shall be sent to the  commissioners  of
    53  health, education, economic development, and labor.
    54    2. The first member appointed by the governor, the temporary president
    55  of  the senate, and the speaker of the assembly shall have a term of one
    56  year; the second member appointed by each shall have a term of two years

        S. 5137--A                         12
 
     1  and the remaining members shall have a term of three years. Each of such
     2  appointed members shall hold office for the term for which  such  member
     3  was  appointed  and until his or her successor shall have been appointed
     4  or  until  he  or she shall resign.  The term of office of all successor
     5  members shall be three years. The members shall serve without salary  or
     6  compensation, but shall be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in
     7  the performance of their duties.
     8    3.  The  board  may consult with engineering authorities and organiza-
     9  tions concerned  with  standard  safety  codes,  rules  and  regulations
    10  governing  the  operation,  maintenance, servicing, construction, alter-
    11  ation, installation, and inspection of  conveyances  and  the  adequate,
    12  reasonable, and necessary qualifications of elevator mechanics, contrac-
    13  tors, and inspectors.
    14    4. The duties of the board are as follows:
    15    (a)  assist  the  commissioner  and the department in establishing the
    16  state regulations for equipment covered by this article;
    17    (b) develop recommendations for  an  enforcement  program  which  will
    18  ensure  compliance  with the regulations and requirements promulgated by
    19  the commissioner pursuant to this article;
    20    (c) assist the commissioner in granting exceptions and variances  from
    21  the  literal  requirements  of  the applicable code and standards, regu-
    22  lations, and local legislation, in cases where such variances would  not
    23  jeopardize the public safety and welfare;
    24    (d)  assist  the  commissioner  in setting fee schedules for licenses,
    25  permits, and inspections. The fees shall reflect the  actual  costs  and
    26  expenses to conduct the duties as described in this article; and
    27    (e) assist the commissioner in any and all things necessary or conven-
    28  ient  to the commissioner's duty to carry out the purposes of this arti-
    29  cle.
    30    § 958. Exempt persons. This article shall not be construed to apply to
    31  the practice, conduct, activities, or services by a person  licensed  to
    32  practice  architecture within this state pursuant to article one hundred
    33  forty-seven of the education law or engineering within this state pursu-
    34  ant to article one hundred forty-five of the education law.
    35    § 2. The state finance law is amended by adding a new section  97-pppp
    36  to read as follows:
    37    §  97-pppp.  Elevator  and related conveyances safety program account.
    38  1. There is hereby established in the custody of the  state  comptroller
    39  the elevator and related conveyances safety program account.
    40    2.  Such  fund  shall  consist  of  moneys  collected  pursuant to the
    41  provisions of article thirty-three of the labor law.
    42    3. Moneys of the fund shall be available to the commissioner of  labor
    43  for  purposes  of  offsetting  the costs incurred by the commissioner of
    44  labor for the administration of article thirty-three of the  labor  law,
    45  including  the administration of elevator and related conveyances safety
    46  programs, the administration of licenses and permits, and  the  adminis-
    47  tration  of certificates of operation as set forth in such article thir-
    48  ty-three.
    49    4. The moneys shall be paid out of the fund on the audit  and  warrant
    50  of the comptroller on vouchers certified or approved by the commissioner
    51  or his or her designee.
    52    5.  Notwithstanding  the  provisions of any general or special law, no
    53  moneys shall be available from the fund until  a  certificate  of  allo-
    54  cation  and  a  schedule  of amounts to be available therefor shall have
    55  been issued by the director of the budget, and a copy  of  such  certif-
    56  icate  filed  with the comptroller. Such certificate may be amended from

        S. 5137--A                         13
 
     1  time to time by the director of the budget  and  a  copy  of  each  such
     2  amendment shall be filed with the comptroller.
     3    § 3. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after
     4  it shall have become a law, provided, however, that effective immediate-
     5  ly,  the  addition,  amendment and/or repeal of any rules or regulations
     6  necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date,  and
     7  the  appointment  of  the  New  York state elevator safety and standards
     8  board, are authorized and directed to be established, made and completed
     9  on or before such effective date.
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