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Mass RRP (DLS) joins forces with OCABR To enforce regulations

Posted by Mark Paskell on Tue, Nov 06, 2012 @ 12:15 PM

Mass RRP (Department of Labor and Standards) and Office of Consumer and Business Regulation (OCABR) have joined forces by signing a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). This means that they will pool resources and work together to promote awareness and compliance with each others requirements.

                                          OCABR

Here is an excerpt from the MOA:

Purpose and Scope of Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)

"In an effort to protect both the workers and public, each agency has specific license or registration requirements for contractors and other entities that perform residential remodeling and repair work. Most contractors who perform this work are required to have at least three credentials: a Construction Supervisor License, a Home Improvement Contractor Registration, and a Lead-safe Renovation Contractor License. Yet there is no official process through which each agency can refer contractor license information to the other when this information is gathered during an inspection or investigation. The goal of this MOA is to develop and define an information sharing process so that information gathered during Department of Labor Standards' and Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulations' investigative processes can be shared with each other to further awareness and compliance with the other's requirements."

The document also states that each agency shall share information electronically.

A spokesperson from OCABR said "OCABR changed its homeowner complaint form to capture information on whether the house was built before 1978.  DLS (RRP) inspectors are now asking every contractor for their HIC registration number and they are putting that information on their inspection forms.  The MOA was effective just a few weeks ago when OCABR signed the agreement, so the information will start being exchanged between the agencies very soon."

Huge disparity between HIC registrants and Lead-safe Renovation Firms

To date there are approximately 29,000 Mass Home Improvement Registered contractors. Conversely as of 10/3/2012 there are only 3200 contractors and firms that are Licensed Lead-safe Renovation Contractors.

For various reasons many contractors are not applying for their LSRC license. Mass took over the RRP Law in July of 2010. Essentially all contractors who offer to perform work or performs work on pre 1978 properties are required to apply to be a LSRC. In addition they must ensure that workers are trained in the 8 hour certification course and follow RRP practices when disturbing painted surfaces. Those who must be certified include: remodelers, painters, roofers, siders, insulation installers, plumbers, electricians, plasterers, hardwood flooring, carpet installers, handymen, window installers and more. Also landlords, property managers, housing authorities and non profits who rent out pre-1978 target housing.

Mass contractors who perform home improvement and repair work under the HIC Law are required to apply for a Mass Home Improvement Registration number.

Here is the complete Memorandum of Agreement signed between the two agencies. Please forward this on to others in the industry to let them know what is going on.

Tags: ocabr, dls, MOA