By Bob Katzen

The Senate approved, on a voice vote without a roll call, and sent to the House legislation that would create optional state licensure for commercial interior designers, a step that supporters say would empower smaller designers to bid individually for certain projects rather than having to contract with a larger firm. Currently, smaller interior design operations have to contract with larger firms that have architectural licenses in order to bid on certain projects.

“Massachusetts is home to five colleges with nationally accredited interior design programs,” said sponsor Sen. Joan Lovely (D-Salem). “We are training talented professionals and then telling them they cannot fully practice their craft in their own state. This is not right, and [the bill] fixes that. It creates real economic opportunity, especially for women and minority-owned businesses, and it keeps our graduates here where they can grow their careers and contribute to our communities.”

“[The] bill is the result of real collaboration,” said Sen. Pavel Payano (D-Lawrence), Senate chair of the Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure. “Architects, engineers, building officials and interior designers came to the table and worked through the hard conversations. What emerged is a commonsense framework that gives commercial interior designers the recognition they deserve, establishes clear professional boundaries and protects consumers. Massachusetts has talented practitioners in this field who have built careers and businesses without a clear path to licensure. This legislation changes that.”