HB 1433 2003
1	A bill to be entitled
2	An act relating to toxic mold; establishing a task force
3	to investigate toxic mold in structures in the state and
4	potential health hazards related thereto; requiring a
5	report to the Legislature; providing for implementation;
6	providing an effective date.
7
8	Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
9
10	Section 1. Task force to investigate toxic mold.--
11	(1) The citizens of Florida are concerned about the
12	following matters:
13	(a) The presence of toxic mold contamination in homes,
14	schools, and office buildings may be causing possible health
15	hazards.
16	(b) An outbreak of litigation has ensued in the western
17	part of the United States by homeowners against their building
18	contractors and insurance companies to recover for damage done
19	to their health and homes by mold contamination, resulting in
20	the award of millions of dollars.
21	(c) Centers for disease control and prevention have
22	performed numerous studies on the possible health effects of
23	toxic mold and have found possible linkages of exposure to mold
24	contamination and health problems such as coughing, wheezing,
25	runny nose, irritated eyes and throat, and skin rashes.
26	(d) Health professionals have investigated possible
27	relationships between mold contamination and outbreaks of
28	allergies and asthma attacks, the negative effects of mold
29	contamination on the function of vital organs, and the possible
30	increase of susceptibility to colds and flu.
31	(2) The Legislature finds that due to citizen concerns, it
32	is imperative that the extent of health risks related to toxic
33	mold contamination be determined and a corresponding plan of
34	action be taken to eliminate such hazards from structures in
35	Florida and that identifying and studying this indoor toxin is
36	the first step towards eliminating it from homes, schools, and
37	other buildings in the state. The Legislature further finds that
38	it is in the best interests of the health, welfare, and safety
39	of the citizens of the state to establish a comprehensive study
40	of toxic mold.
41	(3) A task force is established to investigate toxic mold
42	in homes, schools, and buildings and the potential health
43	hazards caused by toxic mold. The task force shall be comprised
44	of individuals appointed by the Department of Health, including
45	health officers, health and medical experts, mold abatement
46	experts, affected consumers, and representatives of affected
47	industries, including residential, commercial, and industrial
48	tenants, proprietors, landlords, insurers, and builders.
49	(4) The task force shall advise the Department of Health
50	on the development of exposure limits to mold, standards for
51	assessment of molds in indoor environments, and standards for
52	identification and remediation of mold.
53	(5) The task force shall present its findings to the
54	President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of
55	Representatives by January 1, 2004.
56	(6) This section shall be implemented to the extent that
57	funds are specifically appropriated for carrying out the
58	purposes of this section.
59	Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2003.