House Committee Studies Christiana Bill to License PA Plumbers
HARRISBURG — In an effort to ensure safety of public water supplies and increase consumer protection, the House Professional Licensure Committee today heard testimony from Pennsylvania plumbers on the importance of a state licensing program for the trade, said Rep. Jim Christiana (R-Beaver/Washington), author of a bill to establish such a program.
Christiana’s bill,
House Bill 1357, would ensure plumbers licensed through the program have the knowledge and training needed to protect public health and the environment.
“With the recent water supply crisis in Flint, Michigan, it’s more important than ever that we have a uniform set of standards in place for the plumbing industry. These men and women are responsible for ensuring our water supplies are safe and our drainage system systems are working properly. With a state-certified license, our contractors can reassure their customers that they are properly trained in the field.
“Having state-licensed plumbers will give homeowners peace of mind when selecting a professional to perform service and maintenance on their home,” Christiana said. “People want to know that the contractor they are hiring knows what he or she is doing and will not take any dangerous shortcuts that could lead to unsafe water supplies or damage to their homes.”
Testifiers at the hearing included representatives from statewide plumbers’ unions and small business owners, as well as members of the Pennsylvania Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors Association, Associated Builders and Contractors-Cumberland Valley Chapter, Laborers’ International Union of North America, Pennsylvania American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) and the Building Owners and Managers Association Pittsburgh.
“We have union plumbers and non-union plumbers working together in support of this legislation, and it’s something they all want to see signed into law,” Christiana said. “They also acknowledge a need for a way to differentiate between highly skilled and trained professionals and those who are not.”
To watch video of the full hearing, visit
RepChristiana.com.
Representative Jim Christiana
15th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Abbey Haslam
717.260.6222
ahaslam@pahousegop.com
RepChristiana.com /
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