SB 762 - This act establishes an "Interior Design Council" that consists of four interior designers and one public member appointed for staggered, four year terms by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. The public member cannot be involved in the interior design business. Each Council member may receive as compensation an amount set by the Division of Professional Registration in the Department of Economic Development not to exceed fifty dollars per day, plus reasonable and necessary expenses. The Council shall meet at least twice each year.

This act also sets the minimum qualifications for a registered interior designer, which include various combinations of taking and passing the National Council for Interior Design Qualification examination, education from an accredited interior design program, and a certain number of years of practical experience in the field. The licenses issued to those who qualify are valid for two years.

The Division of Professional Registration is empowered to hire such employees and to promulgate such rules and regulations as necessary to carry out the provisions of the bill. The fees required for registration are to be placed in an "Interior Designer Council Fund". Money in the fund does not go to General Revenue until the amount exceeds two times the appropriation to the council for the preceding fiscal year.

Those who violate the provisions of this act are guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. OTTO FAJEN/RONALD J. LEONE