Business & Occupational Licenses Committee

Adopted in House Comm. on Jan 03, 2011

 

 


 

 


 
09600SB2814ham001LRB096 16339 CEL 44557 a

1
AMENDMENT TO SENATE BILL 2814

2    AMENDMENT NO. ______. Amend Senate Bill 2814 by replacing
3everything after the enacting clause with the following:
 
4    "Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Fire
5Equipment Distributor and Employee Regulation Act of 2011.
 
6    Section 5. Definitions. As used in this Act:
7    (a) "Employee" means a licensee or a person who is
8currently employed by a distributor licensed under this Act
9whose full or part-time duties include servicing, recharging,
10hydro-testing, installing, maintaining, or inspecting all
11types of fire extinguishing devices or systems, other than
12water sprinkler systems.
13    (b) "Board" means the Fire Equipment Distributor and
14Employee Advisory Board.
15    (c) "Person" means a natural person or any company,
16corporation, or other business entity.

 

 

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1    (d) "Fire equipment distributor" means any person, company
2or corporation that services, recharges, hydro-tests,
3inspects, installs, maintains, alters, repairs, replaces, or
4services fire extinguishing devices or systems, other than
5water sprinkler systems, for customers, clients, or other third
6parties. "Fire equipment distributor" does not include a
7person, company, or corporation employing 2,000 or more
8employees within the State of Illinois that engages in these
9activities incidental to its own business.
10    (e) "Public member" means a person who is not a licensee or
11a relative of a licensee, or who is not an employer or employee
12of a licensee. The term "relative" shall be determined by rules
13of the State Fire Marshal.
14    (f) "Residency" means an actual domicile in Illinois for a
15period of not less than one year.
16    (g) "Inspection" means a determination that a fire
17extinguisher is available in its designated place and has not
18been actuated or tampered with. "Inspection" does not include
19the inspection that may be performed by the building owner,
20tenant, or insurance representative.
21    (h) "Maintenance" means a determination that an
22extinguisher will operate effectively and safely. It includes a
23thorough examination and any necessary repair or replacement.
24It also includes checking the date of manufacture or last
25hydrostatic test to see if internal inspection of the cylinder
26or hydrostatic testing is necessary, and checking for cuts,

 

 

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1bulges, dents, abrasions, corrosion, condition of paint, shell
2hanger attachment, maintenance of nameplate, weight of
3contents, pressure gauge, valve, removal of pull pin, discharge
4nozzle, hose assembly, and operating instructions.
 
5    Section 10. License requirement; injunction. No person
6shall act as a fire equipment distributor or employee, or
7advertise or assume to act as such, or use any title implying
8that such person is engaged in such practice or occupation
9unless licensed by the State Fire Marshal.
10    No firm, association, or corporation shall act as an agency
11licensed under this Act, or advertise or assume to act as such,
12or use any title implying that the firm, association, or
13corporation is engaged in such practice, unless licensed by the
14State Fire Marshal.
15    The State Fire Marshal, in the name of the People and
16through the Attorney General, the State's Attorney of any
17county, any resident of the State, or any legal entity within
18the State may apply for injunctive relief in any court to
19enjoin any person who has not been issued a license or whose
20license has been suspended, revoked, or not renewed from
21practicing a licensed activity, and upon the filing of a
22verified petition, the court, if satisfied by affidavit or
23otherwise, that such person is or has been practicing in
24violation of this Act may enter a temporary restraining order
25or preliminary injunction, without bond, enjoining the

 

 

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1defendant from such further activity. A copy of the verified
2complaint shall be served upon the defendant and the
3proceedings shall thereafter be conducted as in other civil
4cases. If it is established that the defendant has been or is
5practicing in violation of this Act, the court may enter a
6judgment perpetually enjoining the defendant from such further
7activity. In case of violation of any injunctive order or
8judgment entered under the provisions of this Section, the
9court may summarily try and punish the offender for contempt of
10court. Such injunctive proceeding shall be in addition to all
11penalties and other remedies in this Act.
12    The State Fire Marshal may refuse to issue a license to, or
13may suspend the license of, any person who fails to file a
14return, to pay the tax, penalty, or interest shown in a filed
15return, or to pay any final assessment of tax, penalty, or
16interest, as required by any tax Act administered by the
17Illinois Department of Revenue, until such time as the
18requirements of any such tax Act are satisfied.
 
19    Section 15. Exemptions.
20    (a) This Act shall not apply to an officer or employee of
21this State or the fire department or fire protection district
22of any political subdivision of this State while such officer
23or employee is engaged in the performance of his or her
24official duties within the course and scope of his or her
25employment with this State, or any political subdivision.

 

 

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1However, any such person who offers his or her services as a
2private fire equipment distributor or employee, or any title
3where similar services are performed for compensation, fee, or
4other valuable consideration, whether received directly or
5indirectly, shall be subject to this Act and its licensing
6requirements.
7    (b) Any person who engages in hydrostatic testing of fire
8equipment but does not service, recharge, install, maintain, or
9inspect such equipment shall not be required to be licensed
10under this Act.
 
11    Section 20. Deposit of fees. All fees collected under this
12Act shall be deposited into the Fire Prevention Fund.
 
13    Section 25. Fire Equipment Distributor and Employee
14Advisory Board. There is created the Fire Equipment Distributor
15and Employee Advisory Board consisting of 9 members to be
16appointed by the State Fire Marshal as soon as practicable
17after the effective date of this Act. Two of the members shall
18possess at least a Class A Fire Distributor License, 2 shall
19possess at least a Class B Fire Distributor License, 2 shall
20possess at least a Class C Fire Distributor License, 2 shall be
21representatives of the active fire prevention services who are
22not licensed under this Act, and one shall be a public member
23who is not licensed under this Act or a similar Act of another
24jurisdiction and who has no connection with any business

 

 

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1licensed under this Act. The State Fire Marshal shall be an ex
2officio member of the Board. Each member shall be a resident of
3Illinois. Each appointment to the Board shall have a minimum of
45 years' experience as a licensee in the field in which the
5person is licensed, be an officer in a licensed fire equipment
6distributor company, and be actively engaged in the fire
7equipment business. In making Board appointments, the State
8Fire Marshal shall give consideration to the recommendations by
9members of the profession and by organizations therein. The
10membership shall reasonably reflect representation from
11geographic areas in this State.
12    Each Board member shall serve for a term of 4 years and
13until his or her successor is appointed and qualified. However,
14in making initial appointments, one member shall be appointed
15to serve for one year, 2 shall be appointed to serve for 2
16years, 2 shall be appointed to serve for 3 years, and the
17remaining members, one of whom shall be the public member,
18shall be appointed to serve for 4 years. Appointments to fill
19vacancies shall be made in the same manner as original
20appointments for the unexpired portion of the vacated term.
21Initial terms shall begin upon the effective date of this Act.
22    A member of the Board may be removed from office for just
23cause. A member subject to formal disciplinary proceedings
24shall disqualify himself or herself from Board business until
25the charge is resolved. A member also shall disqualify himself
26or herself from any matter on which the member may not

 

 

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1objectively make a decision.
2    Board members shall receive no compensation, but shall be
3reimbursed for expenses incurred in connection with their
4duties as board members.
5    Five members shall constitute a quorum. A majority vote of
6the Board is required for a Board decision.
7    The Board shall elect from its membership a chairman and
8other officers as it may deem necessary.
9    Board members shall not be liable for any of their acts,
10omissions, decisions, or any other conduct in connection with
11their duties on the Board, except those involving willful,
12wanton, or intentional misconduct.
13    The Board may have such powers as may be granted by the
14State Fire Marshal to carry out the provisions of this Act.
 
15    Section 30. Rules; report.
16    (a) The State Fire Marshal shall adopt rules consistent
17with the provisions of this Act for the administration and
18enforcement thereof, and may prescribe forms that shall be
19issued in connection therewith. The rules shall include
20standards and criteria for registration, professional conduct,
21and discipline. The State Fire Marshal shall consult with the
22Board in adopting all rules under this Act.
23    (b) The Board shall propose to the State Fire Marshal
24additions or modifications to administrative rules whenever a
25majority of the members believes the rules are deficient for

 

 

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1the proper administration of this Act.
2    (c) The State Fire Marshal may solicit the advice and
3expert knowledge of the Board on any matter relating to the
4administration and enforcement of this Act.
5    (d) In the adopting of rules relating to fire equipment
6distributors and employees, the State Fire Marshal shall be
7guided by the national fire safety standards and codes and fire
8equipment and facility standards and code, including, but not
9limited to, those adopted by the National Fire Protection
10Association and the National Association of Fire Equipment
11Distributors.
12    (e) In the adopting of rules relating to the maintenance
13and operation of hydrostatic testing equipment and tools for
14all fire equipment distributors and employees, the State Fire
15Marshal shall be guided by the requirements of the United
16States Department of Transportation as set forth in Section
17173.34(e)(1) of Title 49 of Code of Federal Regulations.
18    (f) The State Fire Marshal shall by rule establish
19procedures for an applicant for any class fire equipment
20employee license to work for a licensed fire equipment
21distributor for training.
22    (g) The rules adopted by the Office of the State Fire
23Marshal under the Fire Equipment Distributor and Employee
24Regulation Act of 2000 shall remain in effect until such time
25as the Office of the State Fire Marshal adopts rules under this
26Act.

 

 

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1    (h) The State Fire Marshal shall issue to the Board prior
2to each Board meeting, but not less than quarterly, a report of
3the status of all convictions related to the profession
4received by the State Fire Marshal.
 
5    Section 35. Personnel. The State Fire Marshal may employ,
6in conformity with the Personnel Code, such professional,
7technical, investigative, or clerical help, on either a full or
8part-time basis, as may be necessary for the enforcement of
9this Act. Each investigator shall have a minimum of 2 years'
10investigative experience out of the preceding 5 years.
11    An investigator may not hold an active license issued under
12this Act or have any fiduciary interest in any business
13licensed under this Act. This prohibition does not, however,
14prohibit an investigator from holding stock in a
15publicly-traded business licensed or regulated under this Act,
16provided that the investigator does not hold more than 5% of
17the stock in the business.
 
18    Section 40. Qualifications for licensure; fees.
19    (a) No person shall engage in practice as a fire equipment
20distributor or fire equipment employee without first applying
21for and obtaining a license for that purpose from the Office of
22the State Fire Marshal.
23    (b) To qualify for a Class A Fire Equipment Distributor
24License to service, recharge, hydro-test, install, maintain,

 

 

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1or inspect all types of fire extinguishers, an applicant must
2provide all of the following:
3        (1) An annual license fee of $100.
4        (2) Evidence of registration as an Illinois
5    corporation or evidence of compliance with the Assumed
6    Business Name Act.
7        (3) Evidence of financial responsibility in a minimum
8    amount of $300,000 through liability insurance,
9    self-insurance, group insurance, group self-insurance, or
10    risk retention groups.
11    (c) To qualify for a Class B Fire Equipment Distributor
12License to service, recharge, hydro-test, install, maintain,
13or inspect all types of pre-engineered fire extinguishing
14systems, an applicant must provide all of the following:
15        (1) An annual license fee of $200.
16        (2) Evidence of registration as an Illinois
17    corporation or evidence of compliance with the Assumed
18    Business Name Act.
19        (3) Evidence of financial responsibility in a minimum
20    amount of $300,000 through liability insurance,
21    self-insurance, group insurance, group self-insurance, or
22    risk retention groups.
23        (4) Evidence of owning, leasing, renting, or having
24    access to proper testing equipment that is in compliance
25    with the national standards adopted by the State Fire
26    Marshal for the maintenance and operation of testing tools

 

 

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1    for use with all Class B fire equipment.
2    (d) To qualify for a Class C Fire Equipment Distributor
3License to service, repair, hydro-test, inspect, and engineer
4all types of engineered fire suppression systems, an applicant
5must provide all of the following:
6        (1) An annual license fee of $300.
7        (2) Evidence of registration as an Illinois
8    corporation or evidence of compliance with the Assumed
9    Business Name Act.
10        (3) Evidence of financial responsibility in a minimum
11    amount of $300,000 through liability insurance,
12    self-insurance, group insurance, group self-insurance, or
13    risk retention groups.
14        (4) Evidence of owning, leasing, renting, or having
15    access to proper testing equipment that is in compliance
16    with the national standards adopted by the State Fire
17    Marshal for the maintenance and operation of testing tools
18    for use with all Class C fire equipment.
19    (e) To qualify for a Class 1 Fire Equipment Employee
20License to service, recharge, hydro-test, install, maintain,
21or inspect all types of fire extinguishers, an applicant must
22complete all of the following:
23        (1) Pass the examination.
24        (2) Pay an annual license fee of $20.
25        (3) Provide a current photograph at least 1" x 1" in
26    size.

 

 

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1    (f) To qualify for a Class 2 Fire Equipment Employee
2License to service, recharge, hydro-test, install, maintain,
3or inspect all types of pre-engineered fire extinguishing
4systems, an applicant must complete all of the following:
5        (1) Pass the examination.
6        (2) Pay an annual license fee of $20.
7        (3) Provide a current photograph at least 1" x 1" in
8    size.
9    (g) To qualify for a Class 3 Fire Equipment Employee
10License to service, recharge, hydro-test, maintain, inspect,
11or engineer all types of engineered fire extinguishing systems,
12an applicant must complete all of the following:
13        (1) Pass the examination.
14        (2) Pay an annual license fee of $20.
15        (3) Provide a current photograph at least 1" x 1" in
16    size.
 
17    Section 45. Applications. Each application for a license to
18practice under this Act shall be in writing and signed by the
19applicant on forms provided by the State Fire Marshal.
 
20    Section 50. Examinations.
21    (a) Applicants for licensure shall be examined as provided
22in this Section if they are qualified to be examined under this
23Act. All applicants who are admitted to the examination shall
24be evaluated upon the same standards as others being examined

 

 

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1for the respective license.
2    (b) Examination for licensure shall be at such times and
3places as the State Fire Marshal may determine, but shall be
4given at least quarterly.
5    (c) Examinations shall test the minimum amount of knowledge
6and skill needed to perform the duties set forth in the
7definition of the license and be in the interest of protection
8of the public. The State Fire Marshal may contract with a
9testing service for the preparation and conduct of such
10examination.
11    (d) If an applicant neglects, fails, or refuses to take an
12examination under this Act within one year after filing his or
13her application, the fee paid by the applicant shall be
14forfeited. However, the applicant may thereafter make a new
15application for examination, accompanied by the required fee.
 
16    Section 55. Licensure without examination. The State Fire
17Marshal shall adopt rules for licensure without examination and
18may license under this Act without examination, on payment of
19the required fee, an applicant who is registered under the laws
20of another state or territory or of another country, if the
21requirements for registration in the jurisdiction in which the
22applicant was licensed were, at the date of his registration,
23substantially equal to the requirements then in force in this
24State and that State, territory, or country has similar rules
25for licensure.
 

 

 

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1    Section 60. Issuance of license; renewal.
2    (a) The State Fire Marshal shall, upon the applicant's
3satisfactory completion of the requirements authorized under
4this Act and upon receipt of the requisite fees, issue the
5appropriate license and wallet card showing the name and
6business location of the licensee, the dates of issuance and
7expiration, and shall contain a photograph of the licensee
8provided to the State Fire Marshal.
9    (b) Any license valid on December 31, 2010 under the Fire
10Equipment Distributor and Employee Regulation Act of 2000 shall
11be a valid license under this Act and expires when the valid
12license issued under the Fire Equipment Distributor and
13Employee Regulation Act of 2000 was scheduled to expire.
14    (c) Each licensee may apply for renewal of his license upon
15payment of fees, as set forth in this Act. The expiration date
16and renewal period for each license issued under this Act shall
17be set by rule. Failure to renew within 60 days of the
18expiration date shall lapse the license. A lapsed license may
19not be reinstated until a written application is filed, the
20renewal fee is paid, and a $50 reinstatement fee is paid.
21Renewal and reinstatement fees shall be waived for persons who
22did not renew while on active duty in the military and who file
23for renewal or restoration within one year after discharge from
24such service. A lapsed license may not be reinstated after 5
25years have elapsed, except upon passing an examination to

 

 

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1determine fitness to have the license restored and by paying
2the required fees.
3    (d) As a condition of renewal of a license, the State Fire
4Marshal may require the licensee to report information
5pertaining to his practice which the State Fire Marshal
6determines to be in the interest of public safety.
7    (e) All fees paid under this Act are non-refundable.
 
8    Section 65. Returned checks. Any person who on 2 occasions
9issues or delivers a check or other order to the State Fire
10Marshal that is not honored by the financial institution upon
11which it is drawn because of insufficient funds on account
12shall pay to the State Fire Marshal, in addition to the amount
13owing upon the check or other order, a fee of $50. The State
14Fire Marshal shall notify the licensee whose license has
15lapsed, within 30 days after the discovery by the State Fire
16Marshal that the licensee is practicing without a current
17license, that the individual, person, or distributor is acting
18as a fire equipment distributor or employee, as the case may
19be, without a license, and the amount due to the State Fire
20Marshal, which shall include the lapsed renewal fee and all
21other fees required by this Section. If after the expiration of
2230 days from the date of such notification, the licensee whose
23license has lapsed seeks a current license, he shall thereafter
24apply to the State Fire Marshal for reinstatement of the
25license and pay all fees due to the State Fire Marshal. The

 

 

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1State Fire Marshal may establish a fee for the processing of an
2application for reinstatement of a license that allows the
3State Fire Marshal to pay all costs and expenses incident to
4the processing of this application. The State Fire Marshal may
5waive the fees due under this Section in individual cases where
6he finds that the fees would be unreasonable or unnecessarily
7burdensome.
 
8    Section 70. Change of address; display of license;
9duplicate license or certificate.
10    (a) A licensee shall report a change in home or office
11address within 10 days of when it occurs.
12    (b) Each licensee shall prominently display his or her
13license to practice at each place from which the practice is
14being performed. If more than one location is used, branch
15office certificates shall be issued upon payment of the fees to
16be established by the State Fire Marshal. Each fire equipment
17employee shall carry on his or her person a wallet card issued
18by the State Fire Marshal.
19    (c) If a license or certificate is lost, a duplicate shall
20be issued upon payment of the required fee to be established by
21the State Fire Marshal. If a licensee wishes to change his or
22her name, the State Fire Marshal shall issue a license in the
23new name upon satisfactory proof that such change was done in
24accordance with law and upon payment of the required fee.
25    (d) Each licensee shall permit his or her facilities to be

 

 

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1inspected by representatives of the State Fire Marshal.
 
2    Section 75. Grounds for disciplinary sanctions.
3    Licensees subject to this Act shall conduct their practice in
4accordance with this Act and with any rules adopted under this
5Act. Licensees shall be subject to the exercise of the
6disciplinary sanctions enumerated in Section 90 if the State
7Fire Marshal finds that a licensee is guilty of any of the
8following:
9    (1) fraud or material deception in obtaining or renewing of
10a license;
11    (2) professional incompetence as manifested by poor
12standards of service;
13    (3) engaging in dishonorable, unethical, or unprofessional
14conduct of a character likely to deceive, defraud, or harm the
15public in the course of professional services or activities;
16    (4) conviction of any crime by a licensee that has a
17substantial relationship to his or her practice or an essential
18element of which is misstatement, fraud, or dishonesty, or
19conviction in this or another state of any crime that is a
20felony under the laws of Illinois or conviction of a felony in
21a federal court, unless the person demonstrates that he or she
22has been sufficiently rehabilitated to warrant the public
23trust;
24    (5) performing any services in a grossly negligent manner
25or permitting any of his or her licensed employees to perform

 

 

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1services in a grossly negligent manner, regardless of whether
2actual damage or damages to the public is established;
3    (6) habitual drunkenness or habitual addiction to the use
4of morphine, cocaine, controlled substances, or other
5habit-forming drugs;
6    (7) directly or indirectly willfully receiving
7compensation for any professional services not actually
8rendered;
9    (8) having disciplinary action taken against his or her
10license in another state;
11    (9) making differential treatment against any person to his
12or her detriment because of race, color, creed, sex, religion,
13or national origin;
14    (10) engaging in unprofessional conduct;
15    (11) engaging in false or misleading advertising;
16    (12) contracting or assisting unlicensed persons to
17perform services for which a license is required under this
18Act;
19    (13) permitting the use of his or her license to enable any
20unlicensed person or agency to operate as a licensee;
21    (14) performing and charging for services without having
22authorization to do so from the member of the public being
23served;
24    (15) failure to comply with any provision of this Act or
25the rules adopted under this Act;
26    (16) conducting business regulated by this Act without a

 

 

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1currently valid license.
 
2    Section 80. Complaints. All complaints concerning
3violations regarding licensees or unlicensed activity shall be
4received and logged by the State Fire Marshal and reported to
5the Board.
 
6    Section 85. Formal charges.
7    (a) Following the investigative process, the State Fire
8Marshal may file formal charges against the licensee. The
9formal charges shall, at a minimum, inform the licensee of the
10facts that make up the basis of the charge and that are
11specific enough to enable the licensee to defend himself.
12    (b) Each licensee whose conduct is the subject of a formal
13charge that seeks to impose disciplinary action against the
14licensee shall be served notice of said formal charge at least
1530 days before the date of the hearing, which shall be presided
16over by a hearing officer authorized by the State Fire Marshal.
17Service shall be considered to have been given if the notice
18was personally received by the licensee or if the notice was
19sent by certified mail, return receipt requested to the
20licensee at the licensee's last known address, as listed with
21the State Fire Marshal.
22    (c) The notice of formal charges shall consist at a minimum
23of the following information:
24        (1) the time, place, and date of the hearing;

 

 

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1        (2) that the licensee shall appear personally at the
2    hearing and may be represented by counsel;
3        (3) that the licensee shall have the right to produce
4    witnesses and evidence in his behalf and shall have the
5    right to cross-examine witnesses and refute evidence
6    produced against him or her;
7        (4) that the hearing could result in disciplinary
8    action being taken against his or her license;
9        (5) that rules for the conduct of these hearings exist
10    and it may be in the licensee's best interest to obtain a
11    copy;
12        (6) that a hearing officer authorized by the State Fire
13    Marshal shall preside at the hearing and following the
14    conclusion of said hearing shall make findings of fact,
15    conclusions of law, and recommendations, separately
16    stated, to the State Fire Marshal as to what disciplinary
17    action, if any, should be imposed on the licensee; and
18        (7) that the State Fire Marshal may continue such
19    hearing.
20    (d) The hearing officer authorized by the State Fire
21Marshal shall hear evidence produced in support of the formal
22charges and contrary evidence produced by the licensee, if any.
23At the conclusion of the hearing, the hearing officer shall
24make findings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommendations,
25separately stated, and submit them to the State Fire Marshal
26and to all parties to the proceeding. Submission to the

 

 

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1licensee shall be considered as having been made if done in a
2similar fashion as service of the notice of formal charges.
3Within 20 days after such service, any party to the proceeding
4may present to the State Fire Marshal a motion, in writing, for
5a rehearing which written motion shall specify the particular
6grounds therefor.
7    (e) The State Fire Marshal, following the time allowed for
8filing a motion for rehearing, shall review the hearing
9officer's findings of fact, conclusions of law, and
10recommendations, and any motions filed subsequent thereto.
11After review of such information the State Fire Marshal may
12hear oral arguments and thereafter shall issue an order. The
13report of findings of fact, conclusions of law, and
14recommendations of the hearing officer shall be the basis for
15the State Fire Marshal's order. If the State Fire Marshal finds
16that substantial justice was not done, he or she may issue an
17order in contravention of the findings of fact, conclusions of
18law, and recommendations of the hearing officer. The State Fire
19Marshal shall provide the Board with written explanation of any
20such deviation, and shall specify with particularity the
21reasons for said action. The finding is not admissible in
22evidence against the person in criminal prosecution brought for
23the violation of this Act.
24    (f) All proceedings under this Section are matters of
25public record and shall be preserved.
 

 

 

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1    Section 90. Disciplinary sanctions; hearings.
2    (a) The State Fire Marshal shall impose any of the
3following sanctions, singly or in combination, when he or she
4finds that a licensee is guilty of any offense described in
5Section 75:
6        (1) revocation;
7        (2) suspension for any period of time;
8        (3) reprimand or censure;
9        (4) placement on probationary status and the
10    requirement of the submission of any of the following:
11            (i) report regularly to the Board or State Fire
12        Marshal upon matters that are the basis of the
13        probation;
14            (ii) continuation or renewal of professional
15        education until a satisfactory degree of skill has been
16        attained in those areas that are the basis of the
17        probation; or
18            (iii) such other reasonable requirements or
19        restrictions as are proper;
20        (5) refusal to issue, renew, or restore;
21        (6) revocation of probation that has been granted and
22    imposition of any other discipline in this subsection (a)
23    when the requirements of probation have not been fulfilled
24    or have been violated.
25    (b) The State Fire Marshal may summarily suspend a license
26under this Act, without a hearing, simultaneously with the

 

 

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1filing of a formal complaint and notice for a hearing provided
2under this Section if the State Fire Marshal finds that the
3continued operations of the individual would constitute an
4immediate danger to the public. In the event the State Fire
5Marshal suspends a license under this subsection, a hearing by
6the hearing officer designated by the State Fire Marshal shall
7begin within 20 days after such suspension begins, unless
8continued at the request of the licensee.
9    (c) Disposition may be made of any formal complaint by
10consent order between the State Fire Marshal and the licensee,
11but the Board must be apprised of the full consent order in a
12timely way.
13    (d) The State Fire Marshal shall reinstate any license to
14good standing under this Act, upon recommendation to the State
15Fire Marshal, after a hearing before the hearing officer
16authorized by the State Fire Marshal. The State Fire Marshal
17shall be satisfied that the applicant's renewed practice is not
18contrary to the public interest.
19    (e) The State Fire Marshal may order a licensee to submit
20to a reasonable physical examination if his or her physical
21capacity to practice safely is at issue in a disciplinary
22proceeding. Failure to comply with a State Fire Marshal order
23to submit to a physical examination shall render a licensee
24liable to the summary suspension procedures described in this
25Section.
26    (f) The State Fire Marshal may conduct hearings and issue

 

 

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1cease and desist orders to persons who engage in activities
2prohibited by this Act without having a valid license,
3certificate, or registration. Any person in violation of a
4cease and desist order entered by the State Fire Marshal shall
5be subject to all of the remedies provided by law, and in
6addition, shall be subject to a civil penalty payable to the
7party injured by the violation.
8    (g) The State Fire Marshal shall seek to achieve
9consistency in the application of the foregoing sanctions and
10consent orders and significant departure from prior decisions
11involving similar conduct shall be explained in the State Fire
12Marshal's orders.
 
13    Section 95. Witnesses; record of proceedings.
14    (a) The State Fire Marshal has the power to subpoena and
15bring before it any person in this State and to take testimony
16either orally or by deposition, or both, with the same fees and
17mileage and in the same manner as is prescribed by law for
18judicial proceedings in civil cases. The State Fire Marshal and
19the hearing officer approved by the State Fire Marshal have the
20power to administer oaths at any hearing that the State Fire
21Marshal is authorized to conduct.
22    (b) Any circuit court, upon the application of the licensee
23or the State Fire Marshal, may order the attendance of
24witnesses and the production of relevant books and papers in
25any hearing under this Act. The court may compel obedience to

 

 

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1its order by proceedings for contempt.
2    (c) The State Fire Marshal, at its expense, shall provide a
3stenographer or a mechanical recording device to record the
4testimony and preserve a record of all proceedings at the
5hearing of any case wherein a license may be revoked,
6suspended, or placed on probationary status or other
7disciplinary action taken with regard to the license. The
8notice of hearing, complaint, and all other documents in the
9nature of pleadings and written motions filed in the
10proceedings, the transcript of testimony, the report of the
11hearing officer, and the orders of the State Fire Marshal
12constitute the record of such proceedings. The State Fire
13Marshal shall furnish a transcript of the record to any
14interested person upon payment of the costs of copying and
15transmitting the record.
 
16    Section 100. Judicial review. All final administrative
17decisions of the State Fire Marshal are subject to judicial
18review under the provisions of the Administrative Review Law
19and the rules adopted under this Act. Such proceedings for
20judicial review shall be commenced in the circuit court of the
21county in which the party applying for review resides. If the
22party applying for review is not a resident of Illinois, the
23venue shall be in Sangamon County. The State Fire Marshal shall
24not be required to certify any record to the court or file any
25answer in court or otherwise appear in any court in a judicial

 

 

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1review proceeding, unless there is filed in the court with the
2complaint a receipt from the State Fire Marshal acknowledging
3payment of the costs of furnishing and certifying the record
4which costs shall be computed at the cost of preparing such
5record. Exhibits shall be certified without cost. Failure on
6the part of the licensee to file the receipt in court shall be
7grounds for dismissal of the action. During all judicial
8proceedings incident to the disciplinary action, the sanctions
9imposed upon the accused by the State Fire Marshal shall remain
10in effect, unless the court feels justice requires a stay of
11the Order.
 
12    Section 105. Order; prima facie proof. An order of
13revocation, suspension, placing the license on probationary
14status or other formal disciplinary action as the State Fire
15Marshal may deem proper, or a certified copy thereof, over the
16seal of the State Fire Marshal and purporting to be signed by
17the State Fire Marshal, is prima facie proof that:
18    (1) the signature is that of the State Fire Marshal;
19    (2) the State Fire Marshal is qualified to act; and
20    (3) the hearing officer is qualified to act on behalf of
21the State Fire Marshal.
22Such proof may be rebutted.
 
23    Section 110. Surrender of license. Upon the suspension or
24revocation of a license issued under this Act, a licensee shall

 

 

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1surrender the license to the State Fire Marshal and, upon
2failure to do so, the State Fire Marshal shall seize the same.
 
3    Section 115. Publication of records. The State Fire Marshal
4shall, upon request, publish a list of the names and addresses
5of all licensees under the provisions of this Act. The State
6Fire Marshal shall publish a list of all persons whose licenses
7have been disciplined within one year, and a quarterly list of
8each individual who was denied employment status because of a
9criminal history, together with such other information as it
10may deem of interest to the public.
 
11    Section 120. Criminal penalties.
12    (a) Any person who violates any of the following provisions
13shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor for the first offense:
14        (1) the practice of or attempted practice as a fire
15    equipment distributor or employee without a license;
16        (2) the obtaining of or the attempting to obtain a
17    license, practice, or business or any other thing of value
18    by fraudulent representation;
19        (3) permitting, directing, or authorizing any person
20    in one's employ or under one's direction or supervision to
21    work or serve as a licensee if that individual does not
22    possess an appropriate valid license.
23    (b) Whenever any person is punished as a repeat offender
24under this Section, the State Fire Marshal may proceed to

 

 

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1obtain a permanent injunction against the person under Section
210.
3    (c) If any person in making an oath or affidavit required
4by this Act swears falsely, that person is guilty of perjury
5and upon conviction thereof, may be punished accordingly.
6    (d) A person who violates any Section of this Act other
7than this Section shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor for
8the first offense.
9    A second or subsequent offense in violation of any Section
10of this Act, including this Section, is a Class 4 felony.
 
11    Section 900. The Regulatory Sunset Act is amended by
12changing Section 4.23 as follows:
 
13    (5 ILCS 80/4.23)
14    Sec. 4.23. Acts and Sections repealed on January 1, 2013.
15The following Acts and Sections of Acts are repealed on January
161, 2013:
17    The Dietetic and Nutrition Services Practice Act.
18    The Elevator Safety and Regulation Act.
19    The Fire Equipment Distributor and Employee Regulation Act
20of 2011.
21    The Funeral Directors and Embalmers Licensing Code.
22    The Naprapathic Practice Act.
23    The Professional Counselor and Clinical Professional
24Counselor Licensing Act.

 

 

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1    The Wholesale Drug Distribution Licensing Act.
2    Section 2.5 of the Illinois Plumbing License Law.
3(Source: P.A. 95-331, eff. 8-21-07.)
 
4    Section 999. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
5becoming law.".