OH HB604

Requires licensure of residential builders, residential maintenance and alteration contractors, and salespersons under a new Chapter 4785 of the Revised Code, with limited exemptions for government entities, property owners, and certain specialized contractors.

Creates the Residential Builders' and Maintenance and Alteration Contractors' Board in the Department of Commerce, consisting of nine members: four residential builders, two maintenance and alteration contractors, and three public members, appointed by the Governor with Senate consent.

Establishes licensure requirements including good moral character, financial stability, proof of identity, passing a board-developed examination, and maintenance of a principal place of business in Ohio; requires three-year renewable licenses.

Creates enforcement mechanisms including complaint investigations, citations, cease and desist orders, summary suspensions, and disciplinary actions up to license revocation, with penalties including fines up to $10,000 per violation.

Provides criminal penalties for unlicensed practice: misdemeanor fines of $5,000-$25,000 and up to one year imprisonment for first offenders, increased penalties for repeat offenders, and felony charges with up to four years imprisonment if death or serious injury results.