AN ACT CONCERNING THE CERTIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT INSPECTORS AND INSPECTION FIRMS TO PERFORM STATE BUILDING CODE INSPECTIONS.

Plain English Breakdown

The bill requires approval from the Commissioner of Administrative Services to establish the program, which was not explicitly detailed in the candidate summary but is present in the official text.

Certification Program for Independent Building Inspectors

This law creates a program to certify independent inspectors and inspection firms so they can perform state building code inspections.

What This Bill Does

• Creates a new certification program run by the State Building Inspector and the Codes and Standards Committee with approval from the Commissioner of Administrative Services.
• Sets rules for different types of inspectors, including their duties, responsibilities, minimum qualifications, and insurance needs.
• Starts an oversight system to check that certified inspections are done consistently and with high quality.
• Allows officials to charge a fee for certification applications but permits waivers for people who cannot afford the cost.

Who It Names or Affects

• Independent inspectors seeking state certification
• Inspection firms performing building code checks
• The State Building Inspector and Codes and Standards Committee
• Local building officials receiving inspection reports

Terms To Know

State Building Code

A set of rules that buildings must follow to be safe.

Certification

Official approval showing an inspector meets specific requirements.

Limits and Unknowns

• The exact fees for certification are not listed in this text.
• Specific details about the minimum qualifications and insurance amounts will be set later by officials.
• This law takes effect on October 1, 2026.

Official Summary Text

To establish a program to certify independent inspectors and inspection firms to perform inspections under the State Building Code.

Current Bill Text

LCO No. 1691 1 of 2

General Assembly Raised Bill No. 255
February Session, 2026 LCO No. 1691

Referred to Committee on HOUSING

Introduced by:
(HSG)

AN ACT CONCERNING THE CERTIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT
INSPECTORS AND INSPECTION FIRMS TO PERFORM STATE
BUILDING CODE INSPECTIONS.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
Assembly convened:

Section 1. (NEW) ( Effective October 1, 2026 ) The State Building 1
Inspector and the Codes and Standards Committee acting jointly, with 2
the approval of the Commissioner of Administrative Services, shall 3
establish a program to certify independent inspectors and independent 4
inspection firms to perform inspections under the State Building Code 5
for submission to a local building official. The program shall establish: 6
(1) One or more classifications of independent inspectors and 7
independent inspection firms, specifying the duties, responsibilities, 8
minimum qualifications and insurance requirements for each 9
classification of inspector or firm; and (2) an oversight and audit 10
program administered by the State Building Inspector to ensure the 11
consistency and quality of inspections performed by certified inspectors 12
and firms. The State Building Inspector may charge a reasonable fee to 13
apply for certification, provided the State Building Inspector may waive 14
such fee for any person who applies, in the form and manner prescribed 15

Raised Bill No. 255

LCO No. 1691 2 of 2

by the State Building Inspector , and demonstrates that the person is 16
financially unable to pay such fee. 17
This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following
sections:

Section 1 October 1, 2026 New section

Statement of Purpose:
To establish a program to certify independent inspectors and inspection
firms to perform inspections under the State Building Code.

[Proposed deletions are enclosed in brackets. Proposed additions are indicated by underline, except
that when the entire text of a bill or resolution or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is not
underlined.]