AN ACT Relating to the repair and maintenance of backflow prevention assemblies; amending RCW 18.106.010 and 18.106.040; and adding a new section to chapter 19.27 RCW.

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

Sec. 1. RCW 18.106.010 and 1997 c 326 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

Unless a different meaning is plainly required by the context, the following words and phrases as hereinafter used in this chapter shall have the following meaning:

(1) "Advisory board" means the state advisory board of plumbers;

(2) "Department" means the department of labor and industries;

(3) "Director" means the director of department of labor and industries;

(4) "Journeyman plumber" means any person who has been issued a certificate of competency by the department of labor and industries as provided in this chapter;

(5) "Medical gas piping" means oxygen, nitrous oxide, high pressure nitrogen, medical compressed air, and medical vacuum systems;

(6) "Medical gas piping installer" means a journeyman plumber who has been issued a medical gas piping installer endorsement;

(7) "Plumbing" means that craft involved in installing, altering, repairing and renovating potable water systems, liquid waste systems, and medical gas piping systems within a building. Installation in a water system of water softening or water treatment equipment is not within the meaning of plumbing as used in this chapter;

(8) "Specialty plumber" means anyone who has been issued a specialty certificate of competency limited to:

(a) Installation, maintenance, and repair of the plumbing of single-family dwellings, duplexes, and apartment buildings that do not exceed three stories; or

(b) In-line maintenance of backflow prevention assemblies within buildings. For the purposes of this subsection, "maintenance" includes cleaning and replacing parts of an assembly, but does not include installing, altering, or repairing of backflow prevention assemblies.

Sec. 2. RCW 18.106.040 and 1977 ex.s. c 149 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Upon receipt of the application and evidence set forth in RCW 18.106.030, the director shall review the same and make a determination as to whether the applicant is eligible to take an examination for the certificate of competency. To be eligible to take the examination:

(a) Each applicant for a journeyman plumber's certificate of competency shall furnish written evidence that he or she has ((~~either~~)) completed a course of study in the plumbing trade in the armed services of the United States or at a school accredited by the coordinating council on occupational education((;)), or ((~~that he~~)) has had four or more years of experience under the direct supervision of a licensed journeyman plumber.

(b) Each applicant for a specialty plumber's certificate of competency shall furnish written evidence that he or she has ((~~either~~)) completed a course of study in the plumbing trade in the armed services of the United States or at a school ((~~accredited by the commission for vocational education or its designee~~)) licensed by the work force training and education coordinating board under chapter 28C.10 RCW, or that he or she has had at least three years practical experience in ((~~his~~)) the specialty.

(c) Each applicant for a backflow prevention assembly specialty plumber's certificate of competency shall furnish written evidence that he or she is certified as a backflow assembly tester by the department of health, and is registered as a contractor by the department.

(2) No other requirement for eligibility may be imposed.

(3) The director shall establish reasonable rules and regulations for the examinations to be given applicants for certificates of competency. In establishing said rules, regulations, and criteria, the director shall consult with the state advisory board of plumbers as established in RCW 18.106.110.

(4) Upon determination that the applicant is eligible to take the examination, the director shall so notify ((~~him~~)) the applicant, indicating the time and place for taking the same.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 19.27 RCW to read as follows:

The owner of a building classified as a group R, division 3 occupancy, as defined in the state building code adopted under this chapter, shall have the backflow prevention assembly tested by a department of health certified backflow assembly tester:

(1) At the time of installation, repair, or relocation, if required by the local official, board, department, or agency authorized to administer and enforce the provisions of the uniform plumbing code as adopted under this chapter; or

(2) When such official, board, department, or agency finds that cross‑connection control within the property lines of the premises may fail to prevent pollution or contamination of the domestic water supply.