HF 2070 (LSB 5833YH (4) 90)

HOUSE FILE 2070

BY  HAYES

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to an indoor mold information and public awareness program.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  NEW SECTION.  135.39F  Indoor mold public information and awareness program.
   1.  As used in this section, “indoor mold” means any form of multi-cellular fungi, including but not limited to cladosporium, penicillium, alternaria, aspergillus, fusarium, trichoderma, memnoniella, mucor, and stachybotrys chartarum, found in damp or water-damaged indoor environments and building materials.
   2.  The department shall establish an indoor mold public information and awareness program to assist the public in understanding the threat of indoor mold found in indoor environments and the importance of the proper removal of indoor mold. As part of the program, the department shall do all of the following:
   a.  Beginning July 1, 2024, review the adverse effects to humans from exposure to indoor mold found in damp and water-damaged indoor environments. In reviewing the adverse effects, the department shall consult with medical research institutions and organizations with expertise in the adverse effects of such exposure. The department shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the general assembly by June 30, 2025.
   b.  Every five years, beginning July 1, 2025, review technology or treatment techniques for indoor mold identification and remediation that provide additional protections to public health and safety. The review performed shall include an examination of any new scientific evidence that indicates that indoor mold may present a greater health risk to the public than previously determined. The department shall submit a report to the general assembly following completion of each review, including the findings of and recommendations for additional protections for the public health and safety based on the review.
   c.  Establish a public information and awareness campaign on the dangers of indoor mold and damp or water-damaged indoor environments. The campaign shall educate the public on the health effects of indoor mold in damp and water-damaged buildings and building materials, and on the methods of identifying and remediating indoor mold, and shall provide contact information for organizations or government agencies that assist the public with indoor mold concerns.
   3.  The department shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A, including the requirements and procedures for the five-year review and the parameters for the public information and awareness campaign, and any other rules necessary to administer this section.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill relates to an indoor mold public information and awareness program. The bill defines “indoor mold” for the purposes of the bill to include any form of multi-cellular fungi found in damp or water-damaged indoor environments and building materials.
   The bill requires the department of health and human services (HHS) to establish an indoor mold public information and awareness program to assist the public in understanding the threat of indoor mold in indoor environments and the importance of the proper removal of indoor mold. As part of the program, the department shall: beginning July 1, 2024, review the adverse effects to humans from exposure to indoor mold in damp and water-damaged indoor environments by consulting with medical research institutions and organizations with expertise in the adverse effects of such exposure, and submit a report including findings and recommendations to the general assembly by June 30, 2025; every five years, beginning July 1, 2025, review technology or treatment techniques for indoor mold identification and remediation that provide additional protections to public health and safety, and submit a report to the general assembly following completion of each review; and establish a public information and awareness campaign on the dangers of indoor mold and damp or water-damaged indoor environments to educate the public on the health effects of indoor mold, the methods of identifying and remediating indoor mold, and providing contact information for sources to assist the public with concerns regarding indoor mold. The bill directs HHS to adopt administrative rules to administer the bill.