New Florida Mold Law posted on state website

Florida has added the new Florida mold statutes to their website. The new law becomes effective July 1, 2010 and is expected by many to "clean up" the mold assessment business.  Home Inspectors and mold Inspectors (assessor) are two different professions and will have separate licenses and requirements.  http://www.naplesmoldinspection.com/id12.html

468.84  Legislative purpose.--The Legislature finds it necessary in the interest of the public safety and welfare, to prevent damage to real and personal property, to avert economic injury to the residents of this state, and to regulate persons and companies that hold themselves out to the public as qualified to perform mold-related services.  Link to mold statutes here:

http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=Ch0468/part16.htm&StatuteYear=2008&Title=-%3E2008-%3EChapter%20468-%3EPart%20XVI

Here are some of the highlights of the new law effective in less than a year. Most professional mold inspectors already meet the experience, training and insurance requirements and will be affected very little by the new law.

(b)1.  For a mold assessor, at least a 2-year degree in microbiology, engineering, architecture, industrial hygiene, occupational safety, or a related field of science from an accredited institution and a minimum of 1 year of documented field experience in conducting microbial sampling or investigations; or 2.  A high school diploma or the equivalent with a minimum of 4 years of documented field experience in conducting microbial sampling or investigations.

(1)  A mold assessor, a company that employs a mold assessor, or a company that is controlled by a company that also has a financial interest in a company employing a mold assessor may not:

(d)  Perform or offer to perform any mold remediation to a structure on which the mold assessor or the mold assessor's company provided a mold assessment within the last 12 months.

(3)  Any person who violates any provision of this section commits:

(a)  A misdemeanor of the second degree for a first violation, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

(b)  A misdemeanor of the first degree for a second violation, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

(c)  A felony of the third degree for a third or subsequent violation, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

¹468.8421  Insurance.-- (1)  A mold assessor shall maintain general liability and errors and omissions insurance coverage in an amount of not less than $1,000,000.