HF 2722 (LSB 6793YH (10) 91)

HOUSE FILE 2722

BY  HAYES

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to an indoor mold information and public awareness program, and establishing a mold remediation standard of care.
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 multicellular 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, 2026, 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 that contains the department’s findings and recommendations to the general assembly by June 30, 2027.
   b.  Every five years, beginning July 1, 2027, 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 rules that provide for 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.
    Sec. 2.  NEW SECTION.  135.39G  Mold remediation —— standard of care.
   All mold remediation performed in the state must be conducted in accordance to the most recent edition of ANSI/IICRC S520 standard for professional mold remediation, or its successor publication, or any other equivalent ANSI-accredited mold remediation standard approved by the department.
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, and establishes a mold remediation standard of care.
   The bill defines “indoor mold” to include any form of multicellular 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. Beginning July 1, 2026, HHS shall review the adverse effects to humans from exposure to indoor mold by consulting with medical research institutions and organizations with expertise in adverse effects of such exposure, and submit a report including findings and recommendations to the general assembly by June 30, 2027. Every five years, beginning July 1, 2027, HHS shall review technology or treatment techniques for indoor mold identification and remediation and submit a report to the general assembly. HHS shall establish a public information and awareness campaign to provide resources and educate the public on the dangers of indoor mold and damp or water-damaged indoor environments.
   The bill directs HHS to adopt rules to administer the bill.
   The bill requires mold remediation in the state to be conducted in accordance to the most recent edition of ANSI/IICRC S520 standard for professional mold remediation, or successor publication, or other equivalent ANSI-accredited mold remediation standard approved by HHS.