NKBA Position

The NKBA has agreed to be neutral with regard to HB1497.

Click here to read the NKBA Official Statement.. A transcription follows:

POLICY POSITION ON PA HOUSE BILL 1497

The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) is prepared to move from a position of oppose to a position of neutral on PA House Bill 1497, provided the following amendment is made to the introduced version of the bill. On page 10, line 22, insert:

“(2) Nothing in this act shall prohibit an unregistered individual from performing professional services limited to the planning, design, and implementation of kitchen and bath spaces and/or the specification of products for kitchen and bath areas in residential spaces.”

AND Renumber subsequent paragraphs.

The above language is agreeable to the Interior Design Legislative Coalition of Pennsylvania and consistent with the agreement with ASID and IIDA.

Background

Throughout 2018, NKBA and the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) jointly pursued a mutually-agreeable legislative solution on Interior Design(er) Title and Practice Acts. While NKBA has traditionally opposed such Acts, the groups have agreed to model legislation language. In a significant paradigm shift, NKBA will remain neutral1 on such acts, provided that:

• NKBA members’ current rights to practice are not negatively impacted, AND
• The proposals are consistent with the model legislation verbiage agreed to with proposal proponents, including but not limited to ASID and IIDA (The Commercial Interior Design Association).
  
  Consistent with this accord, the model bill language, or other proposals such as PA HB 1497, shall include, at least, all of the following provisions to ensure the current practice of kitchen & bath designers are not limited by the Act:
  
  
• Explicit designation as a voluntary Act;
• Precise and unambiguous language specifying the current professional services performed by kitchen and bath designers are not subject to the Act;
• A balance of education and practical experience requirements in the interior design profession for initial registration as well as continuing education requirements for registration renewal;
  AND
• The preclusion from using the title registered, certified or licensed interior designer prior to fulfilling all Act requirements.
  
  

About NKBA

The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) is the not-for-profit trade association that owns the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show® (KBIS), as part of Design & Construction Week® (DCW). With nearly 14,000 member companies representing tens of thousands of members in all segments of the kitchen and bath industry, the NKBA has educated and led the industry since the association’s founding in 1963. The NKBA envisions a world where everyone enjoys safe, beautiful and functional kitchen and bath spaces. The mission of the NKBA is to inspire, lead and empower the kitchen and bath industry through the creations of certifications, marketplaces and networks.

For more information, contact Silvia Lattoz at 1-800-THE-NKBA (843-6522).

1 NKBA’s position to remain neutral on Interior Design(er) Title or Practice Acts that contain these provisions should NOT be construed or inferred to be a position of support for such Acts.