§15339.__Violations; penalties

1.__Penalties.__The following penalties apply to violations of this chapter.

A.__A person, firm or corporation who installs, alters or repairs heating, cooling and air distribution equipment without being licensed as provided by this chapter commits a Class E crime.

B.__A person, firm or corporation in the heating, cooling and air distribution business that employs an unlicensed person, unless the work is exempted under this chapter, commits a Class E crime.

C.__A person who procures a license as provided in this chapter wrongfully or by fraud commits a Class E crime.

2.__Strict liability.__Except as otherwise specifically provided, violation of this section is a strict liability crime as defined in Title 17-A, section 34, subsection 4-A.

3.__Injunctive relief.__The State may bring an action in Superior Court to enjoin a person from violating this chapter, regardless of whether proceedings have been or may be instituted in the District Court or whether civil proceedings to impose a fine have been or may be instituted.

Sec. 3. Application. For a period of one year beginning on the effective date of this Act, the Commissioner of Professional and Financial Regulation may grant a journeyman heating, cooling and air distribution technician license to a person without examination if the person pays the appropriate fee and presents satisfactory evidence that the person has 5 years' experience installing, altering or repairing heating, cooling and air distribution equipment.

Sec. 4. Initial members of board. Notwithstanding the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 32, section 15322, the initial appointive members of the Heating, Cooling and Air Distribution Board need not be licensees of the board.

SUMMARY

This bill establishes the Heating, Cooling and Air Distribution Board within the Department of Professional and