Legislation
& Advocacy
We work with our lobbyists to actively advocate for the protection of our profession—vigilantly monitoring and responding to legislation needs as they arise.
Legislation
Outreach
2023: Successful Sunset Extension
Maryland Senate Bill 714 (MD SB714), relating to the continuation of the State Board of Certified Interior Designers in accordance with the Maryland Program Evaluation Act (sunset law), was successfully passed in April 2023, extending the legislation and State Board until 2034.
This law impacts certified interior designers within Maryland, establishing a comprehensive standard of practice for professional Interior Designers.
Through the work by MDCID and our lobbyists educating the community, industry, and legislators, we were able to see the extension pass. In March 2023, MDCID Board members Heather Flannery, CHID, CID, EDAC, IIDA, and Holly Morgan, IIDA, CID, CHID, EDAC, CHC, testified in front of the Senate sub-committee in March, highlighting the importance of certification to protect the health safety and welfare of occupants in buildings within the state of Maryland.
2022: Successful Legislative Outreach Program
House Bill 1354 has just been amended to exclude “Interior design or decorating services”! The ongoing outreach efforts in the House and the proactive round of calls and emails (over 900!) to the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee contributed to this success. Great job, everyone!
House Bill 1354 was introduced in Maryland and included a sales tax on interior design and decorating services. The interior design profession in Maryland works jointly to educate legislators about interior design and the burden this tax would place on interior designers, particularly those who own their own small businesses.
Lobbyists
Barbara Marx Brocato
Lobbyist
Barbara is the Founder and President of Barbara Marx Brocato & Associates (est. 1990). Born and raised in Annapolis, she has spent the majority of her professional life working in Annapolis both in the public and private sector.
Daniel Shattuck
Lobbyist
Dan has worked within the legislative and policy arena since 1998, and has been with Barbara Marx Brocato & Associates since 2000. Dan represents clients before legislative committees, administrative agencies, health occupation boards, task forces, work groups, and coalitions.
The Facts
Read the Facts
Our State Board of Certified Interior Designers provides certification and regulation under the provisions of the Business Occupations and Professions Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, Title 8, and the Code of Maryland Regulations 09.18. Certification in Maryland is a “Title act.”
Only a certificate holder may use the title “Certified Interior Designer” or “CID” to sign and seal plans, specifications, drawings, reports, or any other interior design documents that are required to be signed and sealed under Business Occupations and Professions Article, §8-403, Annotated Code of Maryland.
