CORONAVIRUS/COVID-19 UPDATE
The Mechanical Licensing Boards were able to hold three out of four scheduled meetings via teleconference this month. The Board of Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors met on May 13th and primarily discussed the status of complaints and licensure testing. Complaints are continuing to be processed and should you receive a complaint you must respond to the board within 30 days. PSI Services, LLC, the administrator of all mechanical licensing testing, is not currently offering testing for mechanical licensing applicants.
The Board of Stationary Engineers was unable to have its scheduled teleconference on May 19th due to a lack of a quorum of appointed members. If you or anyone you know is interested in serving on this board or any Occupational and Professional Licensing Board please visit our website to view the various boards and commissions and apply here. Your application will be reviewed for approval and possible appointment to the board.
The Board of Plumbing met on May 21st and bid a fond farewell to our long-time member and chairman, Michael J. Kastner. Chairman Kastner served on the board with honor and distinction for almost two decades! On behalf of Governor Hogan, members of the board and board staff, we extend our thanks for his service and wish him the best in future endeavors.
On May 26th the Board of Master Electricians' meeting focused primarily on the passage of Senate Bill 994 - Department of Labor - Electricians - State Licensing Workgroup. The bill establishes a workgroup that will meet several times over the summer in Baltimore (if possible) to build a consensus among interested parties to bring statewide licensure for apprentice, journey and master electricians to fruition. If you would like to be considered to serve on the workgroup, please review Senate Bill 994 on the Maryland General Assembly's website and e-mail Board Specialist Tracey Wilson-Baylor to be added to the list of potential participants. The bill establishes seven categories of representatives that must be included in the workgroup. Please indicate which category you would represent if selected.
The Elevator Safety Review Board is not scheduled to meet until next month, and a determination will be made in the next few weeks as to how the board meeting will be held depending on the reopening of state government buildings located in Baltimore City.
On May 13, 2020, Governor Larry Hogan replaced Maryland’s stay-at-home order with a safer-at-home alternative as part of the first phase of reopening the state. As a result, retail businesses, manufacturing, personal services, and certain other businesses were able to resume operations at 5 p.m. Friday, May 15 under new guidelines designed to promote safety and continued social distancing. Read the governor’s executive order online.
It is important to note that the state has given local jurisdictions the authority to enter phase one of reopening at their own pace. Check the website of your local jurisdiction to obtain up-to-date information.
On Friday, April 24, Labor launched BEACON, a new, One-Stop unemployment insurance application to allow Marylanders to file claims for ALL unemployment programs entirely online. This includes the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program, the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation program, and those who were previously required to file by phone like federal employees, members of the military, individuals who have worked in multiple states, and those who have worked for more than three employers in the last 18 months. To directly access the new BEACON One-Stop application, please visit https://beacon.labor.maryland.gov/claimant/. See the BEACON website to learn more and review the FAQ.
If you have questions about unemployment, please visit our Unemployment Insurance webpage which contains important information and FAQs that will be updated frequently. Additionally, please visit the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information for Businesses webpage as an important resource. It includes an FAQ that will also be updated regularly.
The offices of the Maryland Home and Mechanical Services Boards currently have limited access to the public. Please be patient with us, as it may take longer than usual to respond to voicemails and e-mails. E-mails are preferable to phone calls at this time. We can be reached using our contact pages for telephone numbers and e-mail addresses of individual staff members, or you may send your concerns to our general e-mail addresses and your message will be routed to the appropriate person.
Elevator Safety Review Board contacts page
Elevator Safety Review Board e-mail address
Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR) contacts page
Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR) e-mail address
Locksmiths (e-mail only)
Master Electricians contacts page
Master Electricians e-mail address
Plumbing contacts page
Plumbing e-mail address
Stationary Engineers contact page
Stationary Engineers e-mail address
|
