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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 243-10
June 2, 2010

MAYOR BLOOMBERG SIGNS LEGISLATION INCREASING CIVIL PENALTIES FOR UNLICENSED PLUMBING AND FIRE SUPPRESSION WORK

Remarks by Mayor Bloomberg at a Public Hearing on Local Laws

“The next bill before me is Introductory Number 68-A, sponsored by Council Members Dilan, Fidler, Gentile, James, Koslowitz, Vann, Nelson, Ulrich, White, Crowley, Jackson, Recchia, and Vallone.  Introductory Number 68-A establishes minimum civil penalties for unlicensed plumbing and fire suppression work.

“All plumbing, fire suppression and sprinkler work must be performed by a contractor licensed by the Department in the appropriate field.  Whether as a result of a complaint or as part of a regular inspection, Buildings inspectors routinely look for work being performed by unlicensed contractors.  When an inspector observes plumbing work or fire suppression being performed by an unlicensed contractor, the inspector will issue a criminal court summons to that contractor, but these fines are relatively small and do not offer the necessary deterrence to keep unlicensed contractors from performing unlicensed work.

“Introductory Number 68-A provides the Department of Buildings with the tools necessary to stop work that is performed illegally and that can be potentially dangerous by making performance of unlicensed plumbing or fire suppression work subject to a minimum penalty of twenty five hundred dollars for the first offense and a minimum of five thousand dollars for each subsequent offense.

“We expect that the imposition of these substantial minimum fines will deter unlicensed contractors from taking a job where a license is required, ultimately making the construction industry safer for everyone.

“I would like to thank Buildings Commissioner Robert LiMandri and his staff for their work on this bill.  I would also like to thank the City Council for approving this legislation.”










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