2020 just won’t go away. It’s one step forward, another step back for all!
As many have heard, due to COVID-19, all individuals living in the State of California are currently ordered to stay home or at their place of residence, except for permitted work, local shopping or other permitted errand, or as otherwise authorized. In response, the CSLB has closed all public counters and testing centers for at least three weeks, which means all exam applications will be delayed. Here’s a first installment on new law in 2021…
From the CSLB. “As we make our way into the new year, CSLB would like to highlight some construction-related laws that will go into effect January 1, 2021. Pay close attention to these changes, including an extension for seniors’ right to cancel a contract (AB 2471) and the direct authority for the registrar to take disciplinary action for tree worker safety violations (AB 2210). These updates, and the others mentioned below, may impact the way licensees conduct business.
AB 2471 (Maienschein): Extends the right to cancel contracts for persons 65 years of age or older from three business days to five business days for the following transactions: home solicitation contracts, home improvement contracts, Property Assessed Clean Energy assessment contracts, service and repair contracts, and seminar sales contracts. (Chapter 158, Statutes of 2020)
AB 1551 (Arambula): Relates to Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing home improvements through PACE assessment contracts, as regulated by the California Financing Law and the Streets and Highways Code. AB 1551 prohibits “prepayment penalties” in PACE assessment contracts and prohibits PACE assessments on properties with reverse mortgages. This bill also requires the PACE Financing Estimate and Disclosure be provided to the homeowner in printed, paper form, unless the property owner signs a printed paper document opting out of a hard copy; if they opt-out, they may receive the disclosure electronically. (Chapter 156, Statutes of 2020)
AB 2210 (Aguiar-Curry): Authorizes disciplinary action against a licensed contractor for violations of tree worker safety regulations administered by the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health without regard to whether death or serious injury to an employee resulted from the violation. This bill also extends the time for the CSLB registrar to bring disciplinary action against a licensed contractor for violations of the Labor Code or the specified tree safety regulations from 180 days to 18 months. (Chapter 128, Statutes of 2020)
AB 3087 (Brough): Authorizes the CSLB registrar to contract with a public or private organization to administer, and provide services and materials for, CSLB’s contractor license exams. (Chapter 295, Statutes of 2020)