Outdated Information
The information presented on this page is outdated. The emergency rule was approved for April 15 through July 14, 2020. Please see the follow-up article on the rule. This article remains online because of Florida Sunshine laws.
The Florida Board of Professional Engineers will meet at noon EDT Tuesday, April 14, 2020, to consider an emergency rule temporarily lifting restrictions on the signing and sealing of plans and documents.
In order to effectuate the Governor and State Health Officer’s orders regarding self-quarantine, the purpose of the emergency rule is to temporarily waive the restriction in Chapter 61G15-23, Florida Administrative Code, that printed copies of digitally or electronically signed and sealed plans or documents are not considered signed and sealed.
During the effective period of the emergency rule, printed copies of digitally or electronically signed and sealed plans/documents would be deemed properly signed and sealed for any purpose. The exemption would only be during the 90 days the rule is in effect.
The Board meeting will be held via conference call. The call-in number is 1-888-392-4560, and the access code is 1188973.
The full text of the proposed Emergency Rule is:
61G15ER-20- Printed Copies of Digitally or Electronically Signed and Sealed Plans Considered Valid. During the effective period of this rule, comprising ninety (90) days from the effective date, the restriction contained in Rules 61G15-23.004(3)(c)3. and 61G15-23.005(4)(c)3., F.A.C., that printed copies of digitally or electronically signed and sealed plans or documents is removed, and printed copies of said plans or documents are deemed validly signed and sealed for any purpose allowed by law. After the expiration of this emergency rule, the restriction is re-imposed. Any licensee seeking to use printed copies of digitally or electronically signed and sealed plans or documents must retain an original copy of the signed and sealed plans. In addition, a copy of this rule text must be attached to or included with the plans or documents.
Rulemaking Authority: 471.008, 471.025, 471.033(2), FS. Law Implemented:471.025, 471.033(1)(a), (e), (j), 668.003, 668.006, FS. History—New.
THIS RULE TAKES EFFECT UPON BEING FILED WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE UNLESS A LATER TIME AND DATE IS SPECIFIED IN THE RULE.
EFFECTIVE DATE: April 8, 2020
Download a PDF of the complete Notice of Emergency Rule.