(March 21, 2022 – Madison, WI) – The Wisconsin Chapters of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), the International Interior Design Association (IIDA), and the Council for Interior Design Qualification (CIDQ), announce the passage of Senate Bill 344 on March 18, 2022. The bill successfully codifies interior design legislation and expands the scope of interior design in Wisconsin.
Authored by Senator Dale Kooyenga and Assembly Member Cody Horlacher, and signed into law by Governor Tony Evers, Wisconsin Act 195 reinforces the critical role of Wisconsin interior designers who protect occupant health safety in their work through substantial practice rights and a strong scope of practice. The legislation further allows Wisconsin Registered Interior Designers (WRIDs) to stamp and seal construction documents following Department of Safety and Professional Services Bureau (DSPS) guidelines.
Zach Denton, President of IIDA Wisconsin, states “The passing of this bill moved us beyond title rights. It will allow us to stamp and seal our own scope of work, which allows small business owners to remove the middleman, keeping a project timeline on track and keeping costs low. A special thank you goes to all the advocates that emailed/called/met with legislatures, to legislators that listened and learned about Interior Designers scope of work, and our volunteers who have been in between for both advocates and legislators.”
Lauren Maki, President of ASID Wisconsin, states “Interior designers are one of the guardians of public health, safety, and welfare in the built environment. The passage of this legislation elevates both the profession of Interior Design and its value to the communities we serve. We join the ranks of 12 other states with the ability to stamp and seal
construction documents within our scope of work; creating an equitable entry into the marketplace for interior designers while encouraging lower construction costs and greater consumer choice.”
Recognizing the extensive knowledge of designers concerning ADA-friendly features, fire safety codes and other safety solutions, the new legislation is more comprehensive and reflective of modern interior design.
Before ASID, IIDA, and CIDQ secured the industry-changing bills in Wisconsin, North Carolina, and other states, interior design was limited in its role in public safety. Now, with extended capabilities, designers can actively engage in fostering safe environments with their understanding of general and specific safety codes.
