🚀 go-pugleaf

Re-posted from other groups. This seems to be of national importance.
Shouldn't we be trying to act to stop this thing before the idiots let
it go any further?

>From: pls4@pyuxf.UUCP (Paul L Stevens)
Newsgroups: nj.general,misc.jobs.contract
Subject: STATE OF NJ WANTS TO LICENSE PROGRAMMERS
Message-ID: <108@pyuxf.UUCP>
Date: 18 Jul 91 23:36:02 GMT

The State of New Jersey wants to License Computer Professionals!!!!
THIS IS A CROCK OF *&()*^!!!!
The time to act is now! Contact Govenor Jim, your Assembly and Senate
representatives and tell them how you feel.
I am working on obtaining a copy of the bill & may post it if feasible.

Excerpts from a Newark Star-Ledger article (July 12, pp 31-32) explain:

                 "Licensing bill rattles industry"

    An astonished software industry is moving to stop a programmer licensing
bill that is already halfway to becoming law in New Jersey.
   The licensing program is primarily aimed at those who hire out their
services as computer program designers, but industry experts said it could
affect thousands more who work for companies that provide software and
services.
   At the Amercian Telephone and Telegraph Co. alone, at least 5,000 New
Jersey-based workers - could be subject to licensure, "and that's a low
estimate," according to AT&T spokeswoman Gail Purpura.
   "We're opposed to the bill," she said. "It's not necessary, and not in the
best interest of customers."
   At the Ultimate Corp. in East Hanover, "it could be necessary that all 
employees who are involved in programming would have to be licensed,"
according to Jay Sturm, counsel for the computer company, including those at
the technical assistence center, a telephone "help line" unit.
   ...
   The bill, A-4414, passed the Assembly June 24, but some industry sources
said they only became aware of it since then. The bill was introduced
in January by Assemblywoman Barbara Kalik (D-Burlington, Camden), and provides
for the licensing and regulation of computer software designers by a state
Board of Software Designers.
   ...
   The bill defines software designing as the "process of creating systems
and applies to techniques that reduce software cost and complexity while
increasing reliability and modifiability," and would require licensing of
anyone who offers such services to the public.
   And Scordato warned that "there is nothing in this bill that differentiates
busines from household use.
   Neil Bebbington,  a computer expert with the accounting firm of Coopers &
Lybrand in Parsippany, noted that he was "in favor of a certification
program for data processing professionals, including software designers,
but as I understand the bill and its intent, they want to license every
programmer in the state, regardless of where they are working and whether
they work for a public or private company."
   The definitions in the bill, Bebbington noted, include "anything to do with
creating, modifying or maintaining computer programs."
   "Does it mean that if you want to sell software, you have to be licensed?"
he asked.
   Kalik acknowledged yesterday that the proposal had "stirred a storm of
protest" since it passed the Assembly...."
   Licensing, she said, would protect consumers through establishing standards.
And compared the proposed regulatory board to similar agencies that license
architects, barbers, beauticians, plumbers, electricians and professional
boards.
   ...
   The law would not require all programmers to be licensed, she said,
"but if they want to sell themselves as professional software designers and
use that title, then they would be required to get a license."
   ...
   The senate is to take up the bill when it returns in the fall.
   If it passes, New Jersey could be the first state in the nation to license
computer software designers.
   Texas, California, Ohio and Tennessee have been considering similar
measures, according to the Institute of Certified Computer Professionals,
but none have completed action.
   


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