Legislation in Massachusetts

Senate Bill 178 and House Bill 3209 introduced by a Monopolist Cartel called the MIDC, threaten to impose anti-competitive licensing requirements and a restrictive Practice Act on all Interior Designers in Massachusetts. If passed, this legislation will be disastrous for practicing interior designers, interior design firms, interior design students, suppliers and trades people.

Historically, the Interior Design Profession has accommodated a wide diversity of practitioners with different backgrounds, credentials, and qualifications. SB 178 and HB 3209 would change all of that overnight, transforming the Massachusetts interior design community into a rigid, one-size-fits-all environment that would benefit neither the profession nor the public.

While many working Massachusetts interior designers would be devastated by the proposed legislation, they are certainly not the only ones would be hurt. Consider the many ways in which SB 178 and HB 3209 will impact the interior design community and the public:

+ Interior designers who do not meet the strict requirements of a four-year degree in interior design plus NCIDQ certification will no longer be able to practice interior design in Massachusetts.

+ Young designers beginning in the profession who do not meet NCIDQ requirements will be forced to go back to school and work as low paid interns under NCIDQ designers.

+ Design Students who do have a 4 year interior design degree will suffer from a massive reduction in the pool of potential employers and may never be able to take the NCIDQ if they can’t find a NCIDQ certified internship.

+ Suppliers will face a diminished roster of clients for their products and services.

+ Showrooms at the Boston Design Center will face a decrease in business causing them to either go out of business or cut back on the number of lines they represent.

+ Interior Design partnerships and corporations could be forced to add licensed interior designer partners and staff to their firms.

+ Out of state designers will be subject to the new Massachusetts statutes, and will be barred from practicing in the state if they are not licensed.

+ Kitchen Design Showrooms, Furniture Stores, Design-Build Contractors and General Contractors could be forced to add licensed interior designer partners and staff to their firms if they wish to market interior design services.

+ Interior Designers who do manage to get licensed will be subject to audit and regulation from a new Interior Design Board which will have the power to levy fines.

Take Action to Oppose this Unwarranted and Discriminatory Legislation!

Here are some steps you can follow to help ensure the defeat of Senate Bill 178.

1. Call Committee Members of the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure to voice your opposition:

	State Senator Michael W. Morrisey	send an email	617.722.1494
	State Senator Mark C. Montigny	send an email	617.722.1440
	State Senator Brian A. Joyce	send an email	617.722.1643
	State Senator Benjamin B. Downing	send an email	617.722.1625
	State Senator Scott P. Brown	send an email	617.722.1555
	State Representative Michael J. Rodrigues	send an email	617.722.2030
	State Representative Kay Khan	send an email	617.722.2140
	State Representative Louis L. Kafka	send an email	617.722.2305
	State Representative William M. Straus	send an email	617.722.2320
	State Representative Charles A. Murphy	send an email	617.722.2396
	State Representative Michael F. Kane	send an email	617.722.2263
	State Representative Joyce A. Spiliotis	send an email	617.722.2011
	State Representative Brian P. Wallace	send an email	617.722.2013
	State Representative Thomas J. Calter	send an email	617.722.2305
	State Representative Donald F. Humanson Jr.	send an email	617-722-2803
	State Representative Richard J. Ross	send an email	617-722-2305

Here Are Some Talking Points on SB 178:

• Massachusetts Senate Bill No. 178 is an effort by a Special Interest Group to Create a Monopoly on the Practice of Interior Design. It would prevent a majority of legitimate Interior Designers from practicing their trade.
• All Interior Designers will be required to get a state license to practice interior design as defined by the statute.
• Research has shown that there is no threat to public health, safety or welfare requiring government regulation of the interior design industry.
• To acquire a state license, Interior Designers must become eligible to take, and pass the NCIDQ exam. A college degree in interior design is mandatory to become eligible to take the NCIDQ exam.
• Un-licensed interior designers will be subject to heavy fines if they market themselves as an interior designer on their website, business card and all forms of advertising.

2. Contact the Bill Sponsors and ask them to withdraw their sponsorship.

	Sponsor of SB 178: Senator Cynthia Creem	send an email	617.722.1639
	Sponsor of HB 3209: Representative Louis L. Kafka	send an email	617.722.2305
	Co-Sponsor: Represenative Bradford Hill	send an email	617. 722.2489
	Co-Sponsor: Representative Frank M. Hynes	send an email	617-722-2552
	Co-Sponsor: Representative Kay Khan	send an email	617.722.2140
	Co-Sponsor: Representative Mary Grant	send an email	617.722.2014
	Co-Sponsor: Representative Elizabeth Poirier	send an email	508.695.3296
	Co-Sponsor: Senator James Timilty	send an email	617.722.1222

3. Write & Phone Your Legislators and Local Representatives

Write your legislators and encourage them to oppose Senate Bill 178/House Bill 3209.

Find your Legislators & Representatives here.

Sample Letter to Legislators word document or html

If writing by e-mail, be sure to include your address, because legislators usually respond by post.

4. Register With The Interior Design Freedom Coalition

Register on our site to voice your opinion

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