Suffolk County, NY Chapter 563 Uncodified Local Law Provisions

Legislative intent.

This Legislature finds that Local Law No. 34-1987 created the Licensed Home Improvement Contractor Restitution Fund from fees assessed to home improvement contractors, in order to pay consumers who are unable to collect on judgments that they obtain against home improvement contractors.

This Legislature further finds that it is necessary to clarify the procedures and requirements for payment from the Resolution Fund so that the original intent of this law can be can be carried out to the fullest extent possible by the Department of Consumer Affairs. [Editor's Note: The term "Department" was changed to "Office" 12-17-2002 by L.L. No. 4-2003.]

§ 563A-3 Local Law No. 13-1994 also provided as follows.

Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that individuals or entities applying for licenses from the County of Suffolk as electricians, plumbers, home improvement contractors, repairpersons who deal in appliance and/or home electronics equipment repair, precious-metal exchange dealers and dealers in secondhand articles, should be free of any child-support judgments against them and shall not be in arrears on such payments prior to renewing a license form the County of Suffolk.

This Legislature further finds that parents' support of their children is a fundamental legal, social and moral responsibility. A citizen's long-standing failure to fulfill that responsibility may harm his or her children and force the community at large to assume that citizen's basic parental obligations. The County will not award the right to renew an occupational license where a citizen has not met this fundamental responsibility.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to impose an additional prerequisite to the renewing of licenses from the County of Suffolk, as electricians, plumbers, home improvement contractors, repairpersons who deal in appliance repair and/or home electronic equipment repair, precious-metal exchange dealers and dealers in secondhand articles, that applicants for such renewals not have any judgments for child support against them and are not in arrears at the time of application for such license or license renewal.

License review procedures.

The pertinent County officials responsible for license renewals under this law shall make a good faith effort to ascertain the child-support status of such individuals prior to license renewals and may promulgate and issue such rules and regulations as they may deem necessary and appropriate to carry out the provisions of this law. Such rules may include a requirement that an applicant sign a sworn statement under penalty of perjury regarding his or her child-support payment status prior to the renewal of a license.

All County departments and agencies shall cooperate and provide all necessary and proper assistance in helping the license renewal issuer make such determination.

A license renewal may be issued after such good-faith effort has been completed.

Applicability.

This law shall apply to any applications for a license or license renewal filed on or after the effective date of this law.

§ 563A-4 Local Law No. 31-1995 also provided as follows.

Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds that Suffolk County Office of Citizen Affairs in the County Executive's Office is responsible for the issuance of licenses to any applicant desiring to engage in a business as a licensed occupation in the County on forms provided by this office.

This Legislature further finds and determines that it is prudent and in the best interest of Suffolk County and its taxpayers to require licensed applicants to provide sales tax information on written applications in order to have all applicable businesses properly registered for sales tax collection.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to provide Suffolk County and its taxpayers the collection of all possible sales tax revenue by licensed applicants operating in Suffolk County.

Effective date.

This law shall not take effect until at least 60 days after its adoption, nor until approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the qualified electors of the County of Suffolk voting on a proposition for its approval if within 60 days after its adoption there is filed with the Clerk of the County Legislature or Clerk of the County a petition protesting against such law in conformity with the provisions of § 34, Subdivision 4, of the Municipal Home Rule Law, and upon filing in the Office of the Secretary of State.

§ 563A-5 Local Law No. 5-1996 also provided as follows.

Legislative intent.

This Legislature has adopted § 275-3 (now § 563-__) of the Suffolk County Code in order to impose stringent requirements upon noncustodial parents for the enforcement of child-support order and judgments, so that no applicant may renew his/her occupational license if it is determined that any outstanding child-support judgments or arrears exist against such applicant.

This Legislature has determined that no applicant shall be deemed ineligible for a license renewal on the grounds of such outstanding judgments or arrears if it is determined that such individual is current in payments on a judicially approved payment schedule to pay off or reduce such judgment or arrears.

This Legislature further determines that the majority of child support payment plans are approved and sanctioned by the Child Support Enforcement Bureau.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to amend § 275-3B(3) of Chapter 275 (now § 563-___) to include the Child Support Enforcement Bureau's role regarding child support payment plans.

§ 563A-6 Local Law No. 24-1997 also provided as follows.

Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the current amount of compensation paid to the members of the licensing boards governing electricians and plumbers does not adequately represent the true worth of attending these meetings.

Therefore, the purpose of this amendment is to amend § 345-6 of the Suffolk County Code, to increase the amount of compensation for members of the licensing board governing electricians and plumbers from $75 to $100 per meeting.

§ 563A-7 Local Law No. 25-1997 also provided as follows.

Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that currently there is no amount of compensation paid to the members of the Licensing Board governing home improvement contractors and this lack of compensation does not adequately represent the true worth of attending these meetings.

Therefore, the purpose of this amendment is to amend § 345-25 (now § 563-25) of the Suffolk County Code to establish the amount of compensation for members of the Licensing Board governing home improvement contractors at $100 per meeting.

§ 563A-8 Local Law No. 26-1997 also provided as follows.

Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the current amount of compensation paid to the members of the Licensing Boards governing home appliance repair businesses does not adequately represent the true worth of attending these meetings.

Therefore, the purpose of this amendment is to amend § 345-27 of the Suffolk County Code to increase the amount of compensation for members of the Licensing Board governing home appliance repair businesses from $75 to $100 per meeting.

§ 563A-9 Local Law No. 1-1998 also provided as follows.

Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the current license fees for electricians and plumbers are inadequate.

This Legislature further finds and determines that an increase in such fees would have a positive fiscal impact on the County of Suffolk insofar as there will be an increase in revenue received by the County.

Accordingly, it is the intent of this law to amend § 275-5 (now § 563-130) of the Suffolk County Code in relation to the present fee levels.

§ 563A-10 Local Law No. 2-1999 also provided as follows.

Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that due to amendments to other Sections of the Suffolk County Code, parts of the definition of "home improvement contracting" as used in §§ 345-16 and 346-1 (now §§ 563-16 and 563-1) is unnecessary and sometimes duplicative. This Legislature further finds and determines that the current Restitution Fund fee for home improvement contractors is inadequate.

This Legislature further finds and determines that an increase in such fee would have a positive fiscal impact on the County of Suffolk insofar as if no action is taken, the Restitution Fund will have a zero balance early in the year 2000.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to amend §§ 345-16 and 346-1 (now §§ 563-16 and 563-1) to clarify the definitions of the sections and to amend § 346-2 (now § 563-2) of the Suffolk County Code in relation to the present fee level in order to avoid the possibility of a zero balance.

Effective date.

This law shall take effect immediately upon filing with the Secretary of State or January 1, 1999, whichever is later.

§ 563A-11 Local Law No. 24-1999 also provided as follows.

Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that enactment of Article VIII of Chapter 345 (now Chapter 563) of the Suffolk County Code, for the purpose of licensing commercial and residential painting businesses, has resulted in an unintended financial burden of "double billing" to Suffolk County painters who are already licensed to perform residential painting under the Suffolk County Home Improvement Contracting Law [Article II of Chapter 345 (now Chapter 563) of the Suffolk County Code].

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to eliminate such double payments.

Applicability.

This law shall apply to all applications for the purpose of licensing commercial and industrial painting businesses filed on or after the effective date of this law.

§ 563A-12 Local Law No. 11-2000 also provided as follows.

Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that Chapter 275 (now Chapter 563, Article XI) and Chapter 345 (now Chapter 563) of the Suffolk County Code currently prohibit Suffolk County from granting occupational license renewals for anyone in arrears on child support payments, as adopted by Local Law No. 13-1994.

This Legislature further finds and determines that Local Law No. 5-1996 added a reference to the Suffolk County Child Support Enforcement Bureau (CSEB) to include its role in working out payment schedules for judgments of debtors in arrears for childsupport payments, as it pertains to plumbers and electricians.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to:

(1)

Extend the CSEB role to all occupational license renewals issued by the County of Suffolk.

(2)

Extend the penalties on occupational license renewals for individuals in arrears on child support payments to include professional solicitors, septic industry businesses, commercial and industrial painting businesses, home furnishings businesses and dry-cleaning establishments.

(3)

Extend the ban on occupational licensing renewals for deadbeat parents to dry cleaning establishments.

(4)

Extend the ban on occupational license renewals for deadbeat parents to the initial license application for all Suffolk County occupational licenses.

Applicability.

This law shall apply to any applications for licenses or license renewals filed on or after the effective date of this law.

§ 563A-13 Local Law No. 25-2000 also provided as follows.

Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that landscapers licensed under the Home Improvement contracting provisions of Chapter 345 (now Chapter 563), Article II, of the Suffolk County Code contribute to the intensive use of pesticides in Suffolk County without the full opportunity for consumers to make informed decisions regarding such applications.

This Legislature further finds and determines that 1,500,000 pounds of pesticides are dispersed each year within the County of Suffolk which has a population of approximately 1,400,000 people, meaning that over one pound of pesticides per citizen is dispersed into the vulnerable groundwater of Suffolk County residents each year without the full opportunity for consumers to make informed decisions after conferring with knowledgeable contractors.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to help educate consumers as to the potential for over-utilization of pesticides by landscapers through the introduction of a voluntary training program in alternatives to pesticide use.

Applicability.

This law shall apply to all applications for licenses or license renewals made on or after the effective date of this law.

§ 563A-14 Local Law No. 27-2000 also provided as follows.

Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that recent testimony presented by consumers before the Consumer Affairs Committee of the Suffolk County Legislature demonstrated that many home improvement contractors start jobs, receive payments, then walk away from the premises leaving consumers stranded with unfinished rooms or extensions to their homes.

This Legislature further finds and determines that increased fines are needed as a deterrent to discourage contractors from violating any of Suffolk County's occupational licensing laws, including the Home Improvement Contractor Licensing Law.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to deter home improvement contractors from committing fraudulent actions by increasing the fine for a first offense, and setting increased fines for subsequent offenses.

Applicability.

This law shall apply to all actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ 563A-15 Local Law No. 4-2001 also provided as follows.

Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that there has been a steadily increasing number of applicants and exams taken for electrical licenses and that a new category of Restricted License, Cable Communications Installer, will add to that trend.

This Legislature further finds that there has been a 10% increase in the number of active electrical licenses in the past three years.

This Legislature further finds that there has also been rapid growth in emerging technologies related to electrical licensing.

This Legislature further finds that the Electrical Licensing Board duties and responsibilities have significantly increased in light of these circumstances.

This Legislature further finds that the addition of a member to the Electrical Licensing Board would allow the Board to continue its excellent record of service to the County of Suffolk and allow it to keep pace with the ever-changing demands of this field.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to amend Chapter 275 of the Suffolk County Administrative Code to modify the composition of the Electrical Licensing Board by increasing the membership from seven to eight.

Transition provision.

The terms of all appointments to the Electrical Licensing Board as of the effective date of this resolution shall not be affected hereby, and the term of the eighth member of said Board shall be for three years from the effective date of this law.

§ 563A-16 Local Law No. 23-2001 also provided as follows.

Legislative intent.

This Legislature finds and determines that the current fee schedules do not accurately reflect the actual current costs of providing the services administered by the County Office of Consumer Affairs and that the provision of these services by the County Office of Consumer Affairs is at a substantial cost to the County.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to conform the fee schedule with the current costs of provision of services administered by the County Office of Consumer Affairs.

Applicability.

This law shall apply to all applications for licenses, renewals, certificates and duplicates, or other documents filed on or after January 1, 2002.

§ 563A-17 Local Law No. 4-2003 also provided as follows.

Legislative intent.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to conform the fee schedule with the current costs of provision of services administered by the County Office of Consumer Affairs on a uniform basis, and to provide for a uniform occupational licensing term of two years. Section 4.4. Conforming provisions.

Code Publishers is hereby authorized, empowered, and directed to substitute the word "Office" for "Department" and the word "Director for "Commissioner" in each of the following articles and/or chapters of the Suffolk County Code: Chapter 275 (now Chapter 563, Article XI); Chapter 345 (now Chapter 563), Articles I, II, III, IV and V; Chapter 387, Article I (This article was repealed with the adoption of the 2011 Code.); Chapter 391 (Chapter 391 was repealed by L.L. No. 26-2005.); Chapter 239 (now Chapter 370), Article I; and Chapter 483 (Chapter 483 was repealed with the adoption of the 2011 Code.), except that in § 239-2 (now § 370-2), "Lead Agency" shall become the "Office of Consumer Affairs" and the "Lead Agency Commissioner" shall become the "Lead Agency Director."

Applicability. This law shall apply to all applications for licenses, renewals, certificates, duplicates, or other documents filed on or after January 1, 2003.

§ 563A-18 Local Law No. 21-2003 also provided as follows.

Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the existing uniform, County-wide reporting program of tangible personal property acquired by precious metal exchange establishments, pawnshops, and secondhand merchants has curtailed the distribution, and facilitated the recovery, of stolen property since its enactment on April 8, 1980, and on April 13, 1982.

This Legislature further finds and determines that advances in technology and changes in the marketplace require technical amendments to keep up with these changes.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to amend the Precious Metal Exchanges and Dealers in Secondhand Articles Laws to help the law enforcement community trace and recover stolen property.

Section 7.

Effective date.

This law shall apply to actions or transactions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

This law shall take effect 90 days immediately subsequent to filing in the office of the Secretary of State.

§ 563A-19 Local Law No. 2-2004 also provided as follows.

Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the existing Suffolk County Electrical Licensing Law does not include work performed by electrical inspection agencies.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to extend the Electrical Licensing Law requirements of Suffolk County to electrical inspection agencies, to exempt the Suffolk County Water Authority, and to eliminate archaic references to utilities that no longer exist.

Applicability.

This law shall apply to all actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

Effective date.

This law shall take effect on the 120th day immediately subsequent to filing in the Office of the Secretary of State.

§ 563A-20 Local Law No. 22-2004 also provided as follows.

Legislative intent.

This Legislature finds and determines that the fines for violations of Suffolk County's occupational licensing laws have not been changed since 2000.

This Legislature further finds and determines that there are a very few unscrupulous contractors who violate Suffolk County's occupational laws.

This Legislature also finds and determines that the ability to impose a fine of substance is a deterrent to misconduct and benefits both the Suffolk County consumer and the vast majority of honest, hard-working licensed contractors.

Therefore, the purpose of this local law is to increase the maximum allowable fines that can be imposed on home improvement contractors, as they are defined in Suffolk County's licensing laws and on electricians and plumbers.

Applicability.

This law shall apply to fines for violations of occupational licenses issued on or after the effective date of this law.

§ 563A-21 Local Law No. 1-2005 also provided as follows.

Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds that it has enacted legislation to protect Suffolk County consumers by licensing home appliance repair businesses.

This Legislature also finds that, to further protect consumers, it has imposed stringent requirements on businesses that would offer appliance and electronic repairs.

This Legislature finds and determines that a few unscrupulous appliance repair businesses continue to do business in the County of Suffolk without qualifying for and securing necessary licenses.

This Legislature further finds and determines that the seizure of vehicles used in this unlawful activity would deter unlicensed home appliance repair businesses and would promote the purposes of Suffolk County's licensing requirements for home appliance repair businesses.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to institute a procedure for the seizure and forfeiture of vehicles of unlicensed home appliance repair businesses, which continue to do business in the County of Suffolk without complying with the licensing laws of the County of Suffolk.

Applicability.

This law shall apply to all offenses occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ 563A-22 Local Law No. 37-2005 also provided as follows.

Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that there are certain boards and commissions created by the County of Suffolk that have been replaced by a subsequent board or commission or for which the underlying purpose, justification, or legislation has expired.

This Legislature also finds and determines that boards, commissions, and task forces that no longer serve any public or governmental purpose should be abolished.

This Legislature further finds and determines that the enactment of Local Law No. 43-1988, a local law that abolished 10 boards, commissions and task forces, started a tradition of abolishing said boards and commissions to streamline county government.

This Legislature further finds and determines that enactment of Local Law Nos. 34-1990, 16-1993, and 27-2003, local laws that abolished and repealed a total of 43 boards, commissions, and statutes, continued the tradition of abolishing said boards and commissions to streamline county government.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to build upon the progress made in the enactment of Local Law Nos. 43-1988, 34-1990, 16-1993, and 27-2003 by abolishing and repealing additional boards, commissions, and task forces that have been replaced by a subsequent board or commission or for which the underlying purpose, justification, or legislation has expired.

Transition provisions.

The Clerk of the Suffolk County Legislature is hereby directed to notify, in writing, each of the members of any of the above-described boards, commissions, or task forces as to the termination of their respective offices.

§ 563A-23 Local Law No. 6-2007 also provided as follows.

Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the Suffolk County Code contains various provisions that require licensing of certain occupations and regulate those licensed occupations.

This Legislature further finds that, subsequent to the enactment of the licensing provisions of the County Code, the State of New York has taken responsibility for the licensing of certain occupations, such as the licensing of security or fire alarm systems; therefore, the County Code should be amended to remove certain of its licensing requirements.

This Legislature also finds and determines that Suffolk County's occupational licensing laws need to be updated to keep current with changes in New York State law, the organization of Suffolk County government and to provide Suffolk County residents with the best possible protection against unscrupulous acts by members of licensed occupations.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to strengthen Suffolk County's occupational licensing laws to protect the residents of Suffolk County.

Applicability.

This law shall apply to all actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ 563A-24 Local Law No. 15-2008 also provided as follows.

Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that consumers purchasing home furnishings are often required to leave a substantial deposit with the seller pending delivery of the purchased items.

This Legislature further finds that consumers sometimes lose their deposit when the home furnishings business they have dealt with goes out of business, becomes insolvent or simply disappears.

This Legislature also determines it is necessary to enact stronger measures to protect consumers and prevent the loss of deposits to unscrupulous retailers.

This Legislature also finds and determines that requiring retailers of home furnishings to hold down payments/deposits in escrow pending delivery of the purchased items will serve to protect the interests of Suffolk County consumers.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to require the seller of home furnishings to hold deposits in escrow pending the delivery of the ordered items to the affected consumer.

Recovery of damages by injured party.

Any individual injured in whole or in part as a result of a violation of any of the provisions of this law may bring an action for recovery of damages in an amount not to exceed three times the actual damages, or $500, whichever is greater, plus reasonable attorney's fees, provided that the remedy shall be in addition to and shall not remove or diminish any action that an individual may have under common law or any local, state, or federal law or regulation.

Applicability.

This law shall apply to all actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ 563A-25 Local Law No. 16-2008 also provided as follows.

Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that federal law requires businesses to verify that their employees are legally eligible to be employed in the United States. However, this law (known popularly as the "Simpson-Mazzoli Law") has never been effectively enforced and many employers continue to ignore its requirements.

This Legislature further finds that some employers also fail to pay taxes (Social Security, Medicare, unemployment taxes) that are designed to provide a financial safety net for their employees.

This Legislature also finds and determines that employers who fail to comply with applicable federal, state and local laws gain an unfair financial advantage over employers who play by the rules and who necessarily incur additional costs when they properly hire employees, obtain insurance and pay taxes.

This Legislature also finds that the County of Suffolk adopted Local Law No. 52-2006 to require companies doing business with the County to certify their compliance with federal law with respect to the lawful hiring of employees.

This Legislature further finds that the County of Suffolk, through its Office of Consumer Affairs, presently licenses and regulates a number of occupations to ensure that the County's residents and consumers are served by reputable businesses and protected from unscrupulous operators.

This Legislature also determines that the County's licensees should comply with all applicable laws and regulations, including those relating to the proper hiring of employees and payment of payroll taxes.

This Legislature further determines that there exists a Compliance Unit within the Suffolk County Department of Labor that currently investigates similar violations.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to provide a means of supplementing enforcement of federal and state laws, by providing an enforcement mechanism at the County level against noncompliant occupational license holders in order to ensure that all applicants for occupational licenses affirm that their employees are legally eligible to be employed in the United States and that all necessary payroll taxes are being paid.

Affirmative defense.

It shall be an affirmative defense in any hearing or proceeding brought under this law alleging a violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1324a that an applicant or licensee has complied in good faith with the requirements therein.

Investigations.

The Department of Labor is hereby authorized and empowered to investigate alleged violations of this law related to illegal hiring and nonpayment of payroll taxes upon the request of the Director of the Office of Consumer Affairs. Authorized employees of the Department of Labor shall be entitled to request and review records maintained by licensees which demonstrate their compliance with this law. Upon the completion of an investigation, the Department of Labor shall forward its findings to the Director of Consumer Affairs.

Promulgation of rules and regulations.

The Suffolk County Office of Consumer Affairs is hereby authorized, empowered and directed to promulgate such rules and regulations as it deems necessary for the implementation and enforcement of the provisions of this law. Such rules and regulations shall establish that the Office of Consumer Affairs shall refer all complaints of unlawful discrimination and unlawful discriminatory practices to the Suffolk County Human Rights Commission.

The Suffolk County Department of Labor is hereby authorized, empowered and directed to promulgate such rules and regulations as it deems necessary to carry out the investigations described in Section 4 of this law.

Applicability.

This law shall apply to all applications for licenses and license renewals submitted to the Office of Consumer Affairs on and after the effective date of this law.

Section 9. Effective date.

This law shall take effect 120 days after its filing in the Office of the Secretary of State.

§ 563A-26 Local Law No. 28-2008 also provided as follows.

Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that Suffolk County currently requires applicants for plumbers and electricians licenses to demonstrate at least five years' experience in the trade within the past 10 years.

This Legislature also finds that Suffolk County is the only licensing jurisdiction in the immediate area with a five-year experience requirement; neighboring municipalities require seven years' experience to obtain an occupational license of an electrician and plumber.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that increasing the years of experience an applicant must demonstrate before being licensed as an electrician or plumber will insure that a higher quality of contractor is working in Suffolk County.

This Legislature determines that it is prudent to bring Suffolk's licensing requirements into conformity with neighboring jurisdictions.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to increase the experience required by an applicant for an occupational license as an electrician or plumber from five years to seven years.

Applicability.

This law shall apply to all applications for licenses and certificates of competency under Chapter 275 of the Suffolk County Code on or after the effective date of this law. Certificates of competency and licenses issued prior to the effective date of this law shall not be affected by the terms of this law.

Effective date.

This law shall take effect on the 120th day immediately subsequent to filing in the Office of the Secretary of State.

§ 563A-27 Local Law No. 32-2008 also provided as follows.

Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the Suffolk County Office of Consumer Affairs is responsible for licensing numerous occupations in Suffolk County, including plumbers, electricians, home improvement contractors, painters, home furnishings dealers, tax grievance consultants, and precious metal dealers.

This Legislature also finds that the Office of Consumer Affairs expends many man hours administering and reviewing applications for occupational licenses. As part of its review process, Consumer Affairs must conduct background checks for criminal convictions, child support judgments, and prior work experience. Consumer Affairs must also verify that applicants are financially responsible and possess all necessary insurance.

This Legislature further finds that for certain occupations, the Office of Consumer Affairs must develop, administer, and grade written and practical tests.

This Legislature also determines that the actual costs incurred by the County to review applications for occupational licenses far exceeds the current $25 application fee.

Therefore, the purpose of this local law is to increase the application fee for all occupational licenses from $25 to $200 to reflect the costs incurred by the County of Suffolk in administering occupational licenses.

Applicability.

This law shall apply to all applications received by the Office of Consumer Affairs on or after the effective date of this law.

Effective date.

This law shall take effect 60 days subsequent to its filing in the Office of the Secretary of State.

§ 563A-28 Local Law No. 42-2008 also provided as follows.

Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that persons who erect and hang signs are presently not required to be licensed in the County of Suffolk.

This Legislature also finds that persons installing signs should possess certain qualifications, including the ability to read plans and specifications relating to sign construction and hanging, including supports and framework, and should possess knowledge of the problems and practices of sign construction.

This Legislature also determines that sign hangers should be aware of the risks involved in their profession and capable of taking the precautions necessary to protect workers and the general public.

This Legislature also finds that the absence of minimum qualification standards for sign hangers compromises public safety and increases the risk of personal injury and property damage.

Therefore, the purpose of this local law is to require that persons erecting signs in Suffolk County be licensed by the Office of Consumer Affairs to protect and promote the public health and safety.

Applicability.

This law shall apply to actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

Effective date.

This law shall take effect 90 days immediately subsequent to filing in the Office of the Secretary of State.

§ 563A-29 Local Law No. 45-2008 also provided as follows.

Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the County of Suffolk licenses and regulates a number of occupations, including plumbers, electricians and home improvement contractors.

This Legislature further determines that the Office of Consumer Affairs is authorized by law to suspend or revoke the licenses of licensees who engage in certain, defined acts that are harmful to consumers and the public at large.

This Legislature finds that the dumping of garbage, construction debris and other refuse along public roads and rights-of-way and upon public lands is a persistent problem which harms the environment of Suffolk County and threatens the health of its residents.

This Legislature also finds that when it is determined that a person or entity licensed by the County of Suffolk has engaged in the egregious act of dumping on public lands, the Office of Consumer Affairs should have the authority to suspend or revoke his or its license.

Therefore, the purpose of this local law is to add the violation of anti-dumping laws as a basis for the suspension or revocation of a license issued by the Office of Consumer Affairs.

Applicability.

This law shall apply to actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

Effective date.

This law shall take effect on the 90th day immediately subsequent to filing in the Office of the Secretary of State.

§ 563A-30 Local Law No. 18-2009 also provided as follows.

Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that gems are valuable commodities that are frequently resold on secondary markets.

This Legislature also finds and determines that gems, both loose and set in jewelry or other items, are often the targets of thieves due to their high value and the ease with which they can be resold.

This Legislature further finds and determines that Suffolk County enacted Article IV of Chapter 345 (now Chapter 563) of the Suffolk County Code to regulate precious metal exchange businesses as a law enforcement tool to recover stolen items made from precious metals.

This Legislature finds that Suffolk County should regulate the secondary gem market in a similar manner to assist the efforts of law enforcement to aid in the recovery of stolen gems.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to amend Article IV of Chapter 345 (now Chapter 563) of the Suffolk County Code to extend to the secondary gem market record-keeping and reporting requirements that are now applicable to transactions involving precious metals.

Applicability.

This law shall apply to the licensing and actions of precious metal and gem exchange establishments occurring on or after the effective date of this law, except that persons holding a license to operate a precious metal exchange establishment on the law's effective date may continue to operate under that license until its expiration.

Effective date.

This law shall take effect on the 90th day immediately subsequent to filing in the Office of the Secretary of State.

§ 563A-31 Local Law No. 38-2009 also provided as follows.

Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that Suffolk County has established licensing requirements for a variety of occupations.

This Legislature also finds and determines that many of these occupations, such as electricians and plumbers, provide important services to Suffolk County residents.

This Legislature finds that Suffolk County residents are often unaware of whether a selected business is licensed to perform repairs and improvements to their homes.

This Legislature determines that unlicensed electricians and plumbers operating in Suffolk County are a danger to County residents who may use their services and receive substandard results.

This Legislature further finds that any unlicensed person or entity engaged in electrical or plumbing work should be subject to penalty if they falsely advertise that they are, in fact, licensed.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to amend Chapter 275 of the Suffolk County Code and clarify that false advertising by unlicensed electricians and plumbers shall be subject to penalty under the law.

Effective date.

This law shall take effect on the 30th day immediately subsequent to filing in the Office of the Secretary of State.

§ 563A-32 Local Law No. 43-2009 also provided as follows.

Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that Local Law No. 12-1982 established licensing, record-keeping and reporting requirements for dealers in secondhand articles operating in the County of Suffolk.

This Legislature also finds that Local Law No. 12-1982 was enacted primarily for public safety purposes. Stolen property from burglaries and larcenies is often sold to pawn shops and other dealers in secondhand articles for cash. Requiring these businesses to record their purchases and report this information to the Police Department makes the sale of stolen property more difficult, helps recover stolen property and assists the Police Department in apprehending criminals.

This Legislature also finds that the County law regulating secondhand dealers exempts charitable organizations which accept donations of articles for resale. The charitable organizations are exempted because criminals do not donate their stolen goods to charity and, therefore, no public safety purpose is served by regulating these organizations.

This Legislature further finds that in recent years a new business model has become more prevalent whereby a not-for-profit entity acquires secondhand articles from non-profit organizations, which received the articles by way of gifts and donations. The for-profit entity then resells the articles to the general public.

This Legislature further finds that regulating businesses that resell articles that have been attained directly or indirectly by way of gift or donation, and which in no way involves "black market" activity, serves no legitimate law enforcement purpose.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to exempt from the law regulating dealers in secondhand articles entities that resell articles that have been acquired from organizations that obtained those articles, in the first instance, by way of gift or donation.

§ 563A-33 Local Law No. 7-2010 also provided as follows.

Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the Suffolk County Code contains various provisions that require licensing of certain occupations and that regulate those licensed occupations.

This Legislature finds and determines that provisions relating to licensed occupations are not currently codified in one coherent chapter and therefore the administration and enforcement of these licensed occupations is hampered.

This Legislature therefore finds and determines that in order to provide for better administration and enforcement of Chapter 275 (now Chapter 563, Article XI) of the Suffolk County Code, which applies to electricians and plumbers, such chapter should be recodified to fall under Chapter 345 (now Chapter 563) of the Suffolk County Code, which addresses all licensed occupations.

This Legislature also finds and determines that certain provisions in Chapter 275 (now Chapter 563, Article XI) of the Suffolk County Code need to be made consistent with the provisions of Chapter 345 (now Chapter 563) which are applicable to all licenses.

This Legislature further finds that §§ 345-9 and 345-12 of Chapter 345 (now §§ 563-9 and 563-12 of Chapter 563) of the Suffolk County Code establish civil fines and criminal penalties to be imposed upon persons for violating certain licensing provisions of the Suffolk County Code and that the language of those sections of the Suffolk County Code needs to be clarified to ensure that such fines apply to all professions under the jurisdiction of the Department of Consumer Affairs and that all persons, as that term is defined in Chapter 345 (now Chapter 563) of the Code, are subject to such civil fines and criminal penalties. This Legislature further finds and determines that, in light of the time and administrative costs to the County in overseeing the licensing provisions of Chapter 345 (now Chapter 563) of the Suffolk County Code, it is appropriate to authorize the Commissioner of the Suffolk County Department of Consumer Affairs to impose civil penalties on all persons who conduct businesses regulated by the County without a valid license, and the Code should reflect same.

This Legislature also finds that while Chapter 345 (now Chapter 563) currently contains provisions that employees of certain government entities, as well as employees of certain electric, water, and telephone companies do not have to hold licenses in order to perform, among other things, septic work and commercial and industrial paint work on behalf of those entities and companies, as currently drafted private contractors of such entities would likewise not have to hold licenses.

This Legislature finds that in order to provide for consistent administration of county local laws, county resolutions and county ordinances pertaining to consumer affairs, as well as to better protect the residents of Suffolk County, the Suffolk County Administrative Code should be amended to require that nonemployee contractors of government entities and electric, water, and telephone companies must obtain the appropriate licenses before performing work on behalf of those entities.

This Legislature further finds that while Chapter 345 (now Chapter 563) of the Suffolk County Code currently requires applicants for licenses to demonstrate good character and financial responsibility, there are currently no provisions which require the maintenance of good character standing and financial responsibility and that, in order to better protect the consumers of Suffolk County, good character standing and financial responsibility should be required throughout the duration of a license and/or certificate.

This Legislature also finds and determines that the New York State General Business Law grants concurrent jurisdiction for enforcement of the provisions of Article 36-a of the New York State General Business Law (Home Improvement Contracts), including the provisions found in § 771 of that article (Contract Provisions), to the Commissioner of the Suffolk County Department of Consumer Affairs.

This Legislature finds and determines that § 345-21 (now § 563-21) of the Suffolk County Code establishes prohibited acts regarding licensed occupations, but does not specifically reflect a prohibition against violating the provisions of § 771 of the New York State General Business Law.

This Legislature further finds that in order to better protect the public against harmful and dishonest home improvement contract provisions, the language of § 345-21 (now § 563-21) of the Suffolk County Code needs to be clarified to include among prohibited acts a violation of § 771 of the New York State General Business Law.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to recodify and harmonize the provisions of Chapter 275 (now Chapter 563, Article XI) of the Suffolk County Code and Chapter 345 (now Chapter 563) of the Suffolk County Code and to strengthen and clarify the application of the provisions Chapter 345 (now Chapter 563) of the Suffolk County Code.

§ 563A-34 Local Law No. 50-2010 also provided as follows.

Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that heroin addiction is rising in Suffolk County, particularly among the County's high school and college-aged residents.

This Legislature also finds and determines that persons addicted to drugs often go to extraordinary lengths in search of their next fix.

This Legislature further finds and determines that some drug addicts go so far as to steal valuable items from family members, including gold, silver and gemstone jewelry, to obtain money to purchase drugs.

This Legislature finds that young drug addicts often lack sufficient income to support their addiction and, as a result, are likely to resort to stealing valuables from relatives to pay for drugs.

This Legislature determines that increasing the age at which an individual may sell goods to precious metal and gemstone exchanges in Suffolk County would make it more difficult for young people suffering from addiction to get cash to purchase drugs.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to increase the age at which an individual may sell personal property to a precious metal and gemstone exchange without parental consent from 18 to 21.

Applicability.

This law shall apply to all transactions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ 563A-35 Local Law No. 49-2011.

See Uncodified Local Law Provisions included at the end of Chapter 1.

§ 563A-36 Local Law No. 2-2012 also provided as follows.

Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the County of Suffolk regulates the businesses of dealers in secondhand articles and precious metal and gem exchanges to monitor for stolen personal property that may be sold by criminals.

This Legislature further finds and determines that the County does not regulate businesses which make short-term loans to individuals based on the value of personal property used as collateral, commonly known as pawn brokers.

This Legislature finds that failure to require pawn brokers creates a loophole criminals can use to sell the fruits of their crimes.

This Legislature determines that Chapter 345 (now Chapter 563) of the Suffolk County Code should be amended to explicitly include pawn brokers as businesses which must comply with the County's requirements for precious metals and gem exchanges and dealers in secondhand articles.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to amend Chapter 345 (now Chapter 563) of the Suffolk County Code to include collateral loan brokers within the definitions of precious metal and gem exchange and dealer in secondhand articles.

Applicability.

This law shall apply to all actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ 563A-37 Local Law No. 5-2013 also provided as follows.

Legislative Intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the County of Suffolk licenses and regulates home furnishings dealers in the interest of consumer protection.

This Legislature also finds and determines that the County of Suffolk enacted Local Law No. 15-2008, which requires home furnishing sellers to place all monies provided by a consumer as a deposit for a purchase into an escrow account within five business days of receipt.

This Legislature further finds and determines that a ten-day window for home furnishings sellers to place consumer monies in escrow is a reasonable time frame that businesses can comply with.

This Legislature determines that the County law should also be clarified to exempt those transactions where furniture is delivered to a consumer within 10 days or when a deposit is made by credit card and to permit the use of escrow monies when a consumer delays final delivery of purchased home furnishings.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to amend Chapter 563 of the Suffolk County Code to clarify the requirements applicable to home furnishings escrow accounts.

Applicability.

This law shall apply to all actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ 563A-38 Local Law No. 27-2013 also provided as follows.

Legislative Intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that many homeowners in Suffolk County have swimming pools and spas for their enjoyment during warm weather months.

This Legislature further finds that the County regulates the maintenance and construction of swimming pools and spas under its Home Improvement Contractor's License.

This Legislature also determines that the design, installation and servicing of swimming pools and spas require specialized knowledge and skills which are not currently included in the County's Home Improvement Contractor law.

This Legislature finds that businesses which engage in the building and installation of swimming pools and spas should have meaningful experience and be professionally certified in the construction of such structures.

This Legislature further determines that companies performing work on the plumbing, heating and electrical elements of pools and spas should have significant experience servicing pools and be professionally certified to perform such services.

This Legislature finds and determines that businesses involved in the building, installation and servicing of swimming pools and spas should also be required to continually maintain, update and expand their knowledge of the field and any changes in its regulations.

Therefore, the purpose of this local law is to amend Chapter 563 of the Suffolk County Code to add certain requirements to the Home Improvement Contractor's License specific to businesses involved in the building, installation and servicing of swimming pools and spas.

Applicability.

This law shall apply to all applications to obtain or renew a home improvement contractor's license on or after the effective date of this law.

Existing License Holders.

Any current holder of a home improvement contractor's license shall obtain certification and provide documentation as required under the provisions of this law of same to the Department of Labor, Licensing and Consumer Affairs within one year of the effective date of this law.

§ 563A-39 Local Law No. 34-2013 also provided as follows.

Legislative Intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the County of Suffolk enacted Local Law No. 18-2009 to extend to the secondary gem market recordkeeping and reporting requirements that were long applicable to transactions involving precious metals.

This Legislature also finds and determines that some precious metal and gem exchange businesses are not complying with recordkeeping and reporting requirements, electing to pay large fines instead.

This Legislature further finds and determines that in some instances, when a precious metal and gem exchange business has its license revoked by the Department of Labor, Licensing and Consumer Affairs, someone associated with the original licensee applies for a new license to ensure the continued operation of the business.

This Legislature finds that the Department of Labor, Licensing and Consumer Affairs should be empowered to deny the issuance of precious metal and gem exchange licenses at locations that have a history of unlawful activity.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to empower the Department of Labor, Licensing and Consumer Affairs to deny a license application for the operation of a precious metal and gem exchange business at a particular location when an exchange operated at that same location and lost its license within the past two years.

Applicability.

This law shall apply to the licensing of precious metal and gem exchanges businesses occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ 563A-40 Local Law No. 36-2013 also provided as follows.

Legislative Intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the Suffolk County Code contains various provisions that require licensing of certain occupations and regulate those licensed occupations.

This Legislature also finds and determines that Suffolk County occupational licensing laws need to be updated to keep current with changes in New York State Law, the organization of Suffolk County government and to provide Suffolk County residents with the best possible protection against unscrupulous acts by members of licensed occupations.

Furthermore, due to climate circumstances certain home improvement companies have expanded their practices to include elevating and raising homes to reduce the risk of future flooding.

Therefore the purpose of this law is to strengthen Suffolk County's occupational licensing law to protect the residents of Suffolk County by increasing the insurance these contractors have to provide when undertaking an elevation and reconstruction project.

Applicability.

This law shall apply to all actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ 563A-41 Local Law No. 19-2014 also provided as follows.

Legislative Intent.

This Legislature finds that the work of home appliance repair requires knowledge of instruments and devices that primarily rely on electrical wiring.

This Legislature further finds that while home appliance repair work is currently licensed by the Suffolk County Home Appliance Repair Board, the Suffolk County Electrical Licensing Board also has a high level of expertise in numerous areas of electrical work.

This Legislature therefore finds that in an effort to streamline government functions and reduce redundancy, it would be in the best interest of the County to eliminate the Suffolk County Home Appliance Repair Board and transfer its functions to the Suffolk County Electrical Licensing Board.

This Legislature further finds that the addition of a member to the Electrical Licensing Board who has expertise in home appliance repair would ensure a smooth transition of the oversight of home appliance repair licenses to the Suffolk County electrical Board.

Now, therefore the purpose of this law is to amend Chapter 563 of the Suffolk County Administrative Code to collapse the Suffolk County Home Appliance Repair Board; transfer the functions of the Home Appliance Repair Board to the Suffolk County Electrical Licensing Board; and modify the composition of the Electrical Licensing Board by increasing the membership from eight to eleven, with at least one member to have a background in home appliance repair.

Transition provision.

The terms of all appointments to the Electrical Licensing Board as of the effective date of this resolution shall not be affected hereby, and the term of the three additional members of said Board shall be for three years from the effective date of this law.

Applicability.

This law shall apply to all actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ 563A-42 Local Law No. 32-2014.

See Unconsolidated Local Law Provisions included at the end of the Charter.

§ 563A-43 Local Law No. 15-2015 also provided as follows.

Legislative Intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the County of Suffolk enacted Local Law No. 14-1997 to provide for the licensing and regulation of sellers of home furnishings.

This Legislature also finds that Local Law No. 14-1997 (as subsequently amended and codified at Chapter 563, Article IX, of the Suffolk County Code) was intended to provide County oversight of furniture and carpet retailers and to provide relief to consumers when such retailers fail to deliver merchandise as promised, deliver or install defective products or wrongfully withhold a consumer's deposit.

This Legislature further determines that the Department of Labor, Licensing and Consumer Affairs has recently advised antique dealers and thrift shops run by charitable organizations, which generally sell small volumes of used furniture as part of their operations, that they must obtain a Home Furnishings Seller's License; this Legislature concludes that while this action is consistent with the law's current language, it is inconsistent with its spirit and intent.

This Legislature finds that the language of the County's Home Furnishings Licensing Law must be amended to accurately reflect its original intent.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to clarify the scope of the Home Furnishings Licensing Law to ensure its effective enforcement by the Department of Labor, Licensing and Consumer Affairs.

Applicability.

This law shall apply to all actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ 563A-44 Local Law No. 17-2015 also provided as follows.

Legislative Intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that Chapter 563, Article IV, commonly known as "Precious Metal and Gem Exchanges," has proved to be useful in recovering stolen precious metals and gems that have been sold to precious metal and gem exchanges, and has also proved to be useful in prosecuting those persons who possessed such stolen property.

This Legislature further finds that persons who sell stolen precious metals and gems to precious metal and gem exchanges sometimes provide false names and false identification documents to such exchanges.

This Legislature further finds that the required record keeping regarding the purchase of precious metals and gems by precious metal and gem exchanges is sometimes insufficient to properly identify such precious metals and gems and the seller.

This Legislature also finds that the transactional records retention time period of three-years currently imposed upon precious metal and gem exchanges is sometimes insufficient for investigative and prosecutorial purposes when persons sell stolen precious metals and gems to such exchanges.

This Legislature further finds that in order to improve the effectiveness of Chapter 563, Article IV, of the Suffolk County Code, the following amendments to the Suffolk County Code shall be effected:

•	Section 563-41 of the Suffolk County Code shall be amended to require that precious metal and gem exchanges retain transactional records for a period of seven-years.
•	Section 563-41 of the Suffolk County Code shall require precious metal and gem exchanges to take digital photographs of:
	-	Either the persons selling precious metals and gems to such exchanges, or the identification produced by persons selling precious metals and gems to such exchanges; and
	-	The precious metals and gems that are sold to such exchanges.
•	Section 563-44 of the Suffolk County Code shall be amended to require precious metal and gem exchanges to obtain identification documents from sellers that depict photographs of the sellers.

Applicability.

This law shall apply to all actions and transactions occurring on or after the effective date.

Effective Date.

This law shall take effect 90 days following filing in the Office of the Secretary of State.

§ 563A-45 Local Law No. 18-2015 also provided as follows.

Legislative Intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that Chapter 563, Article V, commonly known as "Dealers in Secondhand Articles," has proved to be useful in recovering stolen property that has been sold to dealers in secondhand articles, and has also proved to be useful in prosecuting those persons who possessed such stolen property.

This Legislature further finds that persons who sell stolen property to dealers in secondhand articles sometimes provide false names and false identification documents to such dealers.

This Legislature further finds that the required record keeping regarding the purchase of secondhand articles by dealers in secondhand articles is often insufficient to properly identify such articles and the sellers.

This Legislature additionally finds that the ownership of stolen electronic equipment that maintains identifying or unique data cannot be determined if dealers in secondhand articles erase or alter data or programs maintained on such electronic equipment during any applicable holding period as set forth in the Suffolk County Code.

This Legislature also finds that the transactional records retention time period of three-years currently imposed upon dealers in secondhand articles is sometimes insufficient for investigative and prosecutorial purposes when persons sell stolen property to such dealers.

This Legislature further finds that in order to improve the effectiveness of Chapter 563, Article V, of the Suffolk County Code, the following amendments to the Suffolk County Code shall be effected:

•	Section 563-52 (Dealers in Secondhand Articles/Required Records) shall require that such dealers shall take digital photographs of:
	-	The persons selling secondhand articles, or the identification produced by persons selling secondhand articles; and
	-	The secondhand articles that are sold to such dealers.
•	Section 563-52 (Dealers in Secondhand Articles/Required Records) shall require that such dealers must retain transactional records for a period of seven-years.
•	Section 563-54 (Dealers in Secondhand Articles/Required Holding Period) shall require that secondhand dealers are prohibited from erasing or altering data or programs maintained on electronic equipment during the required holding period.

Applicability.

This law shall apply to all actions and transactions occurring on or after the effective date.

Effective Date.

This law shall take effect 90 days after filing in the Office of the Secretary of State.

§ 563A-46 Local Law No. 19-2015 also provided as follows.

Legislative Intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that Chapter 563, Article V, frequently known as Dealers in Secondhand Articles, has proved to be useful in recovering stolen property that has been sold to dealers in secondhand articles.

This Legislature further finds there has been a rise in the number of larceny incidents in which persons steal merchandise from merchants and then return the merchandise to the merchants pursuant to claims for refunds without a receipt.

This Legislature further finds that when merchandise is returned to a merchant without a receipt, merchants will frequently issue credit for such refunds on a gift card or certificate.

This Legislature further finds that merchants frequently do not ascertain that the stolen merchandise that has been returned was in fact stolen until after the gift cards or certificates have been issued pursuant to refund claims.

This Legislature further finds that persons who commit such larcenies often sell the gift cards or certificates to secondhand dealers for an amount of cash which is less than the actual value of such gift cards or certificates.

This Legislature additionally finds that persons who sell stolen property to dealers in secondhand articles at times provide false names and false identification documents to such dealers, and investigative and prosecutorial efforts concerning stolen property sold to dealers in secondhand articles will be augmented if sellers are required to produce photo identification.

This Legislature further finds that in order to improve the effectiveness of Chapter 563, Article V, of the Suffolk County Code, gift cards and certificates shall be added to the list of articles specified in the definition of Dealer in Secondhand Articles articulated in § 563-49 of the Suffolk County Code, and the definition of Proper Identification articulated in § 563-49 of the Suffolk County Code shall be limited to identification documents that depict the name, address, and photograph of the seller.

Applicability.

This law shall apply to all actions and transactions occurring on or after the effective date.

§ 563A-47 Local Law No. 23-2015 also provided as follows.

Legislative Intent.

This Legislature finds and determines that the provisions of Article VII of Chapter 563 of the Suffolk County Code were enacted to provide the County of Suffolk with the means necessary to regulate septic industry businesses and require such businesses to be licensed to protect the health, safety and general welfare of the consumers of Suffolk County.

This Legislature further finds that in 2014, it approved the use of funds from Fund 477 Water Quality Protection for the Innovative Alternative Onsite Wastewater Treatment Program.

This Legislature finds that in furtherance of the Innovative Alternative Onsite Wastewater Treatment demonstration program, participating manufacturers are donating their treatment systems to the program with installation, and will be maintaining those systems under a five-year warranty during this demonstration program. The value of the donated innovative alternative system, installation and warranty is estimated at $20,000 per system.

This Legislature also finds and determines that these participating manufacturers should be exempt from the fees associated with obtaining a license under Chapter 563 as the purpose of this demonstration program is to test these systems and to gather the data necessary for the County Department of Health Services to determine if these treatment systems should be approved for general public use to improve water quality within our County.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to amend Article VII of Chapter 563 of the Suffolk County Code to exempt participating manufacturers from paying the application and license fees for the purpose of allowing these participating manufacturers to donate and provide the maintenance for their Innovative Alternative Onsite Wastewater Treatment systems as required under the County's demonstration program.

Applicability.

This law shall apply to all applications for licenses filed pursuant to this article on or after the effective date of the law.

§ 563A-48 Local Law No. 40-2015 also provided as follows.

Legislative intent.

This Legislature further finds that in 2014, it approved the use of funds from Fund 477 Water Quality Protection for the Innovative Alternative Onsite Wastewater Treatment demonstration program to test these treatment systems and to gather the data necessary for the County Department of Health Services to determine if these systems should be approved for general public use to improve water quality within our County.

This Legislature also finds that to ensure protection of the public's health and water quality and upon the recommendation of the Department of Labor, Licensing, and Consumer Affairs and the advice from the County's Septic Licensing Board established under Chapter 563, it is necessary to require continuing education under specialized license endorsements to ensure that installers and service providers of these Innovative Alternative Onsite Wastewater Treatment systems have the proper training and experience.

This Legislature further finds that there are many specialized services within the liquid waste service industry, that there is growing concern as to the effectiveness of the existing licensing structure regarding these specialized services, and that establishing a continuing education requirement for these specialized services under a process of license endorsements will provide an added measure of accountability to the public in the liquid waste licensing process.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to amend Article VII of Chapter 563 of the Suffolk County Code to require all new liquid waste license applicants, and all existing liquid waste license holders prior to their next license renewal, to apply to the Department of Labor, Licensing, and Consumer Affairs for endorsement for the specialized service or services they provide to the public and to comply with the continuing education requirements in order to protect the public, create contractor accountability and maintain consumer confidence in the licensing process.

Applicability.

This law shall apply to all actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

Effective date.

This law shall take effect 180 days after it has been filed in the Office of the Secretary of State.

§ 563A-49 Local Law No. 14-2016 also provided as follows.

Legislative intent.

This Legislature finds and determines that government issued passports are considered viable forms of personal identification by government entities, including by the United States Transportation Security Administration.

This Legislature also finds and determines that current Suffolk County law prohibits licensed dealers in second hand articles and licensed precious metal and gem exchange establishments from purchasing items from a person who is unable to produce photographic identification that contains such person's address.

This Legislature further finds that a government issued passport is a sufficient document for the purposes of proving identity, even though such passport does not include an address.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to amend Chapter 563 of the Laws of Suffolk County to permit a government issued passport to serve as acceptable personal identification for sales to licensed dealers in second hand articles and licensed precious metal and gem exchange establishments.

Applicability.

This law shall apply to all actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ 563A-50 Local Law No. 12-2017 also provided as follows.

Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the County seeks to protect the health, safety and welfare of its residents via its consumer protection laws, including the licensing of electricians working in Suffolk County.

This Legislature also finds that the potential for hazards exists in the performance of electrical work.

This Legislature further finds that the advancement of technology and periodic updating of the National Electric Code, as well as changes in municipal building codes and mandated safe work practices, require continued education of master electricians and restricted electricians, including electrical inspectors, in order to keep industry knowledge current.

Therefore, the purpose of this local law is to implement continuing education requirements for individuals holding master electrician licenses and restricted electrician licenses, including electrical inspectors, in Suffolk County.

Applicability.

The continuing education requirement set forth herein shall apply to applications for renewals received by the Department two years after the effective date of this local law.

§ 563A-51 Local Law No. 15-2021 also provided as follows.

Legislative intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that the County regulates licensees as defined in Chapter 563 of the Administrative Local Laws of Suffolk County.

This Legislature finds that consumers may not realize that they should request the license number of a licensee performing services at the consumer's residence, which may hinder recourse actions in the event of a service performance issue.

This Legislature further finds that licensees do not always comply with all applicable building, sanitary, fire and health codes, and that Chapter 563 currently makes such compliance a violation of the Chapter only in the case of home improvement contractors.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to amend Article I of Chapter 563 of the Suffolk County Code to require a licensee to provide in writing, the service employee's name, the business name, address and telephone number, and the license number issued by the County at each service call to the consumer and comply with all applicable building, sanitary, fire and health codes.

Applicability.

This law shall apply to all actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

§ 563A-52 Local Law No. 24-2023 also provided as follows.

Legislative intent.

This legislature finds that secondhand dealers in Suffolk County are a licensed trade and their recordkeeping and reporting requirements are monitored for compliance by the Department of Consumer Affairs and the Suffolk County Police Department.

This legislature finds that it is vitally important to ensure that accurate and complete records are maintained by these businesses, and as such, as part of the administrative regulatory scheme, licensees of precious metal and gem exchanges and secondhand dealers are required to record certain information for each transaction, retain certain information for each transaction, and also produce said information upon inspection by the Department of Consumer Affairs or the Suffolk County Police Department.

The legislature determines that updating the recordkeeping requirements to include certain information on precious metal and gem exchanges and sales of articles by secondhand dealers, photographs of sellers, and the identification of purchasers or sellers may also serve as further deterrence to stolen items being sold in precious metal and gem exchanges as well as to and from secondhand dealers.

This legislature also determines that the administrative inspections should be further defined as to the scope, time, and place of inspections to ensure that the secondhand dealers are aware that inspections are being made pursuant to law.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to require enhanced recordkeeping regarding precious metal and gem exchanges as well as the purchase and sale transactions of dealers in secondhand articles, and to define the scope, time and place of the inspection of the aforementioned required records.