Sec. 20-477. Training courses. - Connecticut Statutes

      Sec. 20-477. Training courses. (a) On and after July 1, 1994, all training courses and refresher training courses offered by training providers for persons seeking instruction as a lead consultant, including inspector or planner-project designer, lead abatement supervisor and lead abatement worker, shall be approved by the department and shall be conducted in accordance with the requirements of this section. Each application for approval of each training course offered by a training provider shall be accompanied by a fee of one thousand dollars. Each application for approval of each refresher training course offered by a training provider shall be accompanied by a fee of two hundred fifty dollars. Each training course shall be reapproved by the department every three years. Each training provider shall pay a fee of one thousand dollars for application for reapproval of each training course in accordance with this section. Each refresher training course shall be reapproved by the department every three years. Each refresher training provider shall pay a fee of two hundred fifty dollars for application for reapproval of each refresher training course in accordance with this section. No fee shall be imposed upon training courses or refresher training courses operated and provided by the state, municipalities or nonprofit agencies. In order to facilitate uniformity among states in regulatory programs for lead abatement and lead consultant personnel and reciprocity of licensure and certification programs, the commissioner may establish liaisons with other states having state certification or licensure programs.

      (b) (1) A training provider seeking approval of a training course or a refresher training course shall submit to the department completed application forms provided by the department and other associated material and such information as the department shall require to establish compliance with the requirements of this section.

      (2) A training provider may offer any training course or refresher training course as desired, provided each course is approved by the department. Only training providers who have already received approval for a training course in a particular discipline, or are concurrently seeking such approval, may seek approval for a refresher training course in that discipline.

      (3) Training course curricula shall encompass topics and materials as established by the commissioner. These curricula shall conform to standards or guidance for such course as established by the federal Environmental Protection Agency or such other federal agencies as may have jurisdiction.

      (4) Training courses and refresher training courses shall utilize staff and faculty who comply with educational and experience standards as established by the commissioner. These standards shall conform to standards or guidance for such personnel qualifications as established by the federal Environmental Protection Agency or such other federal agencies as may have jurisdiction.

      (c) Refresher training courses for each training course shall include the following: (1) An overview of key safety practices; (2) an update on new federal, state and local laws and regulations; and (3) an update on new technologies. Each refresher course shall consist of a minimum of seven training hours.

      (d) Each training provider shall administer a closed book objective examination at the completion of each training or refresher training course. Such examination shall be an evaluation of the knowledge and skills acquired by each student. The course examination shall cover the course curriculum taught in each course. Training providers shall establish a passing standard for each course examination, provided such standard shall not be lower than seventy per cent correct.

      (e) The department may conduct an audit of any training course or refresher training course prior to reapproval. The training provider shall submit an application for reapproval not earlier than one hundred eighty days nor later than ninety days before the current course approval expires. In the event an audit is performed, the following elements may be examined: (1) Course materials; (2) instructor competency; (3) validity and security of the course examination; (4) the conduct of hands-on skills assessments; (5) adequacy of the facility and equipment; and (6) the training course quality control plan.

      (f) Each training provider shall retain the following information: (1) Records of staff and faculty qualifications; (2) curriculum and course materials; (3) course examination or pool of examination questions; (4) information on how hands-on skills assessments were conducted; and (5) student files grouped alphabetically by class and year. Each student file shall contain results of the hands-on skills assessment and the examination and copies of any course completion certificate issued. The training provider shall retain these records at the location specified on the training provider's approved application for a minimum of three years.

      (g) The department may, after opportunity for hearing, suspend, revoke or withdraw approval of a training or refresher training course upon a finding that a training course provider has committed any of the following acts: (1) Misrepresentation or concealment of a material fact in the obtaining of approval or reapproval of a training or a refresher training course; (2) failure to submit required information or notifications in a timely manner; (3) failure to maintain requisite records; (4) falsification of records, instructor qualifications or other approval information; (5) failure to adhere to the training standards and requirements of this section; (6) failure on the part of the training manager or other person with supervisory authority over the delivery of training to comply with federal, state or local lead statutes or regulations; or (7) fraudulent issuance of a course completion document to a person who has failed to successfully complete the course or course examination. Notice of any contemplated action under this subsection, the cause of action and the date of a hearing on the action shall be given and an opportunity for hearing afforded in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54. The commissioner may petition the superior court for the judicial district of Hartford to enforce any order or action taken pursuant to this subsection. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to applications for approval or reapproval filed pursuant to this section.

      (h) The commissioner may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, requiring that applicants successfully complete an examination prescribed by the department, for certification in the following professions: Lead consultant, lead abatement supervisor and lead abatement worker.

      (P.A. 88-230, S. 1, 12; P.A. 90-98, S. 1, 2; P.A. 93-142, S. 4, 7, 8; P.A. 94-220, S. 5, 12; P.A. 95-220, S. 4-6.)

      History: P.A. 94-220 effective July 1, 1994 (Revisor's note: P.A. 88-230, P.A. 90-98 and P.A. 93-142 authorized substitution of "judicial district of Hartford" for "judicial district of Hartford-New Britain" in the public and special acts of the 1994 regular and special sessions, effective September 1, 1996); P.A. 95-220 changed the effective date of P.A. 88-230 from September 1, 1996, to September 1, 1998, effective July 1, 1995.