HF 1991

as introduced - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 02/25/2014 02:20pm

A bill for an act
relating to construction codes; modifying continuing education course approval
requirements; amending Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 326B.0981,
subdivision 3.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 326B.0981, subdivision 3, is amended to
read:

Subd. 3.

Content.

(a) Continuing education consists of approved courses that
impart appropriate and related knowledge in the regulated industries pursuant to this
chapter and other applicable federal and state laws, rules, and regulations. Courses may
include relevant materials that are included in licensing exams subject to the limitations
imposed in subdivision 11. The burden of demonstrating that courses impart appropriate
and related knowledge is upon the person seeking approval or credit.

(b) Except as required for Internet continuing education, course examinations will
not be required for continuing education courses.

(c) If textbooks are not used as part of the course, the sponsor must provide students
with a syllabus containing the course title; the times and dates of the course offering; the
name, address, and telephone number of the course sponsor; the name and affiliation of
the instructor; and a detailed outline of the subject materials to be covered. Any written
or printed material given to students must be of readable quality and contain accurate
and current information.

(d) Upon completion of an approved course, licensees shall earn one hour of
continuing education credit for each classroom hour approved by the commissioner. Each
continuing education course must be attended in its entirety in order to receive credit for
the number of approved hours. Courses may be approved for full or partial credit, and for
more than one regulated industry.

(e) Continuing education credit in an approved course shall be awarded to presenting
instructors on the basis of one credit for each hour of the initial presentation. Continuing
education credits for completion of an approved course may only be used once for renewal
of a specific license.

(f) Courses will be approved using the following guidelines:

(1) course content must demonstrate significant intellectual or practical content and
deal with matters directly related to the practice in the regulated industry, workforce
safety, or the business of running a company in the regulated industry. Courses may
also address the professional responsibility or ethical obligations of a licensee related to
work in the regulated industry;

(2) the following courses deleted text begin may be deleted text end new text begin are automatically new text end approved if they are specifically
designed for the regulated industry and are in compliance with deleted text begin paragraph (g) deleted text end new text begin clause (1)
and all applicable rules promulgated by the commissioner new text end :

(i) courses approved by the Minnesota Board of Continuing Legal Education; deleted text begin or
deleted text end

(ii) courses approved by the International Code Council, National Association of
Home Building, new text begin National Fire Protection Association, new text end or other nationally recognized
professional organization of the regulated industry; deleted text begin and deleted text end new text begin or
new text end

new text begin (iii) courses approved by the state fire marshall; and
new text end

(3) courses must be presented and attended in a suitable classroom or construction
setting, except for Internet education courses which must meet the requirements of
subdivision 5a. Courses presented via video recording, simultaneous broadcast, or
teleconference may be approved provided the sponsor is available at all times during the
presentation, except for Internet education courses which must meet the requirements
of subdivision 5a.

(g) The following courses will not be approved for credit:

(1) courses designed solely to prepare students for a license examination;

(2) courses in mechanical office skills, including typing, speed reading, or other
machines or equipment. Computer courses are allowed, if appropriate and related to the
regulated industry;

(3) courses in sales promotion, including meetings held in conjunction with the
general business of the licensee;

(4) courses in motivation, salesmanship, psychology, or personal time management;

(5) courses that are primarily intended to impart knowledge of specific products of
specific companies, if the use of the product or products relates to the sales promotion
or marketing of one or more of the products discussed; or

(6) courses where any of the educational content of the course is the State Building
Code that include code provisions that have not been adopted into the State Building Code
unless the course materials clarify that the code provisions have been officially adopted
into a future version of the State Building Code and the effective date of enforcement.

(h) Nothing in this subdivision shall limit an authority expressly granted to the Board
of Electricity, Board of High Pressure Piping Systems, or Plumbing Board.