Fla. H.B. 117 to Require Certification for Mold Remediation

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Fla. H.B. 117 to Require Certification for Mold Remediation

Professionals

January 14, 2005

Legislation to require mold professionals working in Florida to be

trained, licensed and certified has been filed by Rep. Carl J.

Domino (R-West Palm Beach). House Bill 117, co-sponsored by Rep.

lin Sands (D-Weston), is waiting for committee references from

the House Speaker's Office to be considered during the 2005 Florida

Legislative Session.

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Domino filed the measure during the 2004 legislative session, but

the mold issue has received increased public concern due to the

impact of last year's catastrophic hurricane season. In support of

his effort, Domino touts a statewide coalition of mold professionals

and advocate groups, including the Florida Coalition for Healthy

Indoor Environments and the American Indoor Air Quality Association.

These groups, along with constituents who urged for the bill, plan

to help lobby H.B. 117 during the legislative session.

" It's pretty simple, the industry that provides healthy indoor air

quality, as well as the public it is responsible for protecting,

support basic training, certification and licensure in order to more

reliably and effectively deal with mold, " Domino said. " The industry

is willing to pay the tab of a basic regulatory program designed to

help the public. There is no general revenue or fiscal impact

associated in the bill.

" Right now, you and I could call ourselves mold remediators and hang

out a shingle, " Domino explained. " The issue has just become to

important people's lives to allow for confusion or fraud. "

The education and examination requirements of HB 117 have largely

been adopted from recognized national industry organizations, such

as the American Indoor Air Quality Association, that offer voluntary

certification to its members. HB 117 allows private entities to

offer the certification and training requirements called for in the

bill. It also adds a seat for a licensed mold remediation

professional to the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board

within the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

Currently 23 other states, including California and Texas require

professional mold remediators to be licensed through certification

and training.