Relating to registered interior design and providing penalties

This bill relates to the practice of interior design in Iowa. The bill changes the defined term “interior design” to “registered interior design” and includes specific practices that do and do not constitute the practice of registered interior design. The bill makes conforming Code changes. The bill exempts from regulation under Code chapter 544C (registered interior designers) persons engaged in an activity traditionally performed by an interior designer in a noncommercial setting and persons acting under the instruction, control, or supervision of a registered interior designer, provided that person is not in charge of interior technical submissions, defined in the bill. The bill requires a registered interior designer to have a seal with which to identify all interior technical submissions issued by the registered interior designer for use in this state. and responsible charge of the interior designer, defined in the bill. The bill gives registered interior designers the authority to submit interior technical submissions to governmental entities for the purposes of obtaining a permit for an interior alteration or construction project, defined in the bill. The bill prohibits a registered interior designer from signing and sealing any interior technical submission that the registered interior designer is not competent to perform. The bill also prohibits a person from intentionally affixing the signature or seal of a registered interior designer without the permission of the registered interior designer, using or attempting to use the interior design registration or seal of another except as otherwise allowed, impersonating a registered interior designer, obtaining or attempting to obtain a registration by fraud, making a willfully false oath or affirmation to the interior design examining board, or, as a registered interior designer, accepting compensation that would reasonably appear to compromise the registered interior designer’s professional judgment. A person who violates this provision of the bill is guilty of a simple misdemeanor. A simple misdemeanor is punishable by confinement for no more than days and a fine of at least $105 but not more than $855. The bill requires a registered interior designer to avoid conflicts of interest. If an unavoidable conflict of interest arises, the bill requires a registered interior designer to immediately inform the client or employer, and to withdraw if it is not possible to faithfully discharge the responsibilities and duties owed to the client or employer. The bill prohibits a registered interior designer from taking certain actions when an unavoidable conflict of interest arises. The bill allows a registered interior designer to sign and seal an interior technical submission that is required for an interior alteration or construction project and that shall be kept as a public record. submission impressed with the seal or stamp of a registered interior designer. The bill repeals transition provisions in the Code that are no longer in effect.