S04524 Summary:

BILL NOS04524A
 
SAME ASSAME AS A06091-A
 
SPONSORKRUEGER
 
COSPNSR
 
MLTSPNSR
 
Add Art 32 SS32-0101 - 32-0113, En Con L
 
Requires any person engaged in commercial mold remediation to be certified by the commissioner.
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S04524 Actions:

BILL NOS04524A
 
04/24/2009REFERRED TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
01/06/2010REFERRED TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
03/24/2010AMEND (T) AND RECOMMIT TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
03/24/2010PRINT NUMBER 4524A
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S04524 Floor Votes:

There are no votes for this bill in this legislative session.
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S04524 Text:



 
                STATE OF NEW YORK
        ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                         4524--A
 
                               2009-2010 Regular Sessions
 
                    IN SENATE
 
                                     April 24, 2009
                                       ___________
 
        Introduced  by  Sen. KRUEGER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
          printed to be committed to the Committee on Environmental Conservation
          -- recommitted to  the  Committee  on  Environmental  Conservation  in
          accordance  with  Senate  Rule 6, sec. 8 -- committee discharged, bill
          amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said  commit-

          tee
 
        AN  ACT  to  amend  the  environmental  conservation law, in relation to
          establishing mold assessment and remediation requirements
 
          The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and  Assem-
        bly, do enact as follows:
 
     1    Section  1.  The environmental conservation law is amended by adding a
     2  new article 32 to read as follows:
     3                                 ARTICLE 32
     4                MOLD ASSESSMENT AND REMEDIATION REQUIREMENTS
     5  Section 32-0101. Definitions.
     6          32-0102. Credentials; general conditions.
     7          32-0103. Exceptions and exemptions.
     8          32-0104. Conflict of interest and disclosure requirement.
     9          32-0105. Mold assessment technician; licensing requirements.

    10          32-0106. Mold remediation contractor; licensing requirements.
    11          32-0107. Minimum work practices and procedures for mold  assess-
    12                     ment.
    13          32-0108. Minimum  work practices and procedures for mold remedi-
    14                     ation.
    15          32-0109. Post-remediation assessment and clearance.
    16          32-0110. Duty of property owner.
    17          32-0111. Compliance; inspections and investigations.
    18          32-0112. Compliance;   reprimand,    suspension,    revocations,
    19                     probation.
    20          32-0113. Compliance; administrative penalty.
    21  § 32-0101. Definitions.
 
         EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets

                              [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                                   LBD09753-06-0

        S. 4524--A                          2
 
     1    1.  The  following  words and terms within this article shall have the
     2  following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
     3    a.  "Assessor"  means a person who conducts mold assessment as defined
     4  in this section and who is licensed under this article as a mold assess-
     5  ment technician or mold assessment consultant.
     6    b. "Commercial mold remediation" means the removal, cleaning, sanitiz-
     7  ing, demolition, or other treatment, including preventive activities, of
     8  mold or mold-contaminated matter that  was  not  purposely  grown  at  a

     9  location. Preventive activities include those intended to prevent future
    10  mold  contamination of a remediated area, including applying biocides or
    11  anti-microbial compounds.
    12    c. "Containment" means a component or enclosure designed  or  intended
    13  to control the release of mold or mold-containing dust or materials into
    14  surrounding  areas  in  the  building. The broad category of containment
    15  includes such sub-categories as walk-in containment, surface containment
    16  (such as plastic sheeting), and containment devices (such as wall-mount-
    17  ed glove boxes).
    18    d. "Containment area" means an area that has been enclosed to  control
    19  the  release of mold or mold-containing dust or materials into surround-
    20  ing areas.

    21    e. "Credential" means a license, registration, or accreditation issued
    22  under this article.
    23    f. "Employee" means an individual who  is  paid  a  salary,  wage,  or
    24  remuneration by another person or entity for services performed and over
    25  whom the person or entity exerts supervision or control as to the place,
    26  time, and manner of the individual's work.
    27    g.  "Facility"  means  any  institutional, commercial, public, govern-
    28  mental, industrial or residential building.
    29    h. "Managing agent" means a company or individual that manages a resi-
    30  dential or commercial building for an owner.
    31    i. "Mold assessment report" means a document prepared  by  a  licensed
    32  mold  assessment technician for a client that describes any observations

    33  made, measurement taken, and locations and analytical results of samples
    34  taken by an assessment consultant or by an assessment technician  during
    35  a  mold  assessment.  An  assessment  report can be either a stand-alone
    36  document or a part of a mold management plan or mold remediation  proto-
    37  col.
    38    j. "Mold management plan" means a document prepared by a licensed mold
    39  assessment  consultant  for  a  client  that provides guidance on how to
    40  prevent and control indoor mold growth at a location.
    41    k. "Mold remediation protocol" or  "mold  remediation  work  analysis"
    42  means  a document, prepared by a licensed mold assessment technician for
    43  a client, that specifies the estimated quantities and locations of mate-

    44  rials to be remediated and the proposed remediation methods  and  clear-
    45  ance  criteria  for  each type of remediation in each type of area for a
    46  mold remediation project.
    47    l. "Mold remediation work  plan"  means  a  document,  prepared  by  a
    48  licensed mold remediation contractor that provides specific instructions
    49  and/or  standard operating procedures for how a mold remediation project
    50  will be performed.
    51    m. "Mold remediation worker" means an employee of the mold remediation
    52  contractor who engages in  any  mold-related  activity  restricted  only
    53  under supervision of a licensed mold remediation contractor.
    54    n.  "Remediator"  means  a  person  who  conducts  mold remediation as

    55  defined in this section and who is credentialed under this article as  a
    56  mold remediation contractor.

        S. 4524--A                          3
 
     1    o.  "Supervise"  means  to direct and exercise control over the activ-
     2  ities of a person by being physically present at the job site or, if not
     3  physically present, accessible by telephone within ten minutes and  able
     4  to be at the site within one hour of being contacted.
     5    p. "Work analysis" means a mold remediation protocol.
     6    q. "Work plan" means a mold remediation work plan.
     7  § 32-0102. Credentials; general conditions.
     8    1. A person must be licensed in compliance with this article to engage

     9  in  mold  assessment  or  mold  remediation unless specifically exempted
    10  under section 32-0103 of this article.
    11    2. Age requirement. Each individual applying to be licensed under this
    12  article must be at least eighteen years old at the time of application.
    13    3. Certification. An applicant for the license shall submit  proof  or
    14  certification  by  the  American Council for Accredited Certification or
    15  any other nationally recognized, third-party accredited certifying  body
    16  that operates independently of training organizations and industry trade
    17  associations.  An  applicant  for  license renewal shall submit proof of
    18  continued certification by the American Council for  Accredited  Certif-

    19  ication  or  any  other  nationally  recognized,  third-party accredited
    20  certifying body that operates independently  of  training  organizations
    21  and industry trade associations.
    22    4.  Department  examination.  An applicant for an initial license must
    23  pass the department licensing examination in that area of licensure with
    24  a score of at least seventy percent  correct  before  applying  for  the
    25  license.  All  applicants must pass the department licensing examination
    26  within six months of earning certification pursuant to subdivision three
    27  of this section.
    28    a. Re-examination. An individual is permitted to take two  re-examina-
    29  tions after failing an initial examination. An individual who fails both

    30  re-examinations must submit a new application for the state examination.
    31    b. Scheduling and registration. Annually, the department shall publish
    32  a schedule of examination dates and locations. Registration for examina-
    33  tion  date and location must be submitted by mailing, faxing, or e-mail-
    34  ing a registration form to the department and must be  received  by  the
    35  department  no later than five working days before the examination date.
    36  Information on the examination schedule and assistance with registration
    37  is available by contacting the department. Entrance into the examination
    38  site will be allowed only upon presentation of a valid photo identifica-
    39  tion.
    40    c. A fee of twenty-five dollars is required  for  any  examination  or

    41  re-examination.  The  department must receive the required fees no later
    42  than five working days before the examination.
    43    5. Applications. Each application for approval for licensing shall  be
    44  provided  by  the department. Each application for approval must provide
    45  all required information. An  applicant  for  an  initial  license  must
    46  submit  the  complete application to the department within six months of
    47  obtaining certification pursuant to subdivision three of  this  section,
    48  or  must  successfully  pass the department licensing examination before
    49  submitting a new initial application.
    50    6. Term and expiration. a. All licenses issued  on  or  after  January
    51  first,  two  thousand eleven, shall be valid for two years and expire on

    52  the second anniversary of the effective date of the license.
    53    b. Fees commensurate with a two-year license must be included with any
    54  application for a license that will expire on the second anniversary  of
    55  its effective date of the license.

        S. 4524--A                          4
 
     1    c.  A  license  holder  is  in violation of this article if the holder
     2  practices with lapsed qualifications.
     3    7.  Condition  of  issuance.  No  identification (ID) card or approval
     4  issued under this article shall be sold, assigned,  or  transferred.  ID
     5  cards  issued by the department must be present at the worksite any time
     6  an individual is engaged  in  mold-related  activities.  The  department

     7  retains  the right to confiscate and revoke any ID card or approval that
     8  has been altered.
     9  § 32-0103. Exceptions and exemptions.
    10    1. Exceptions. This article shall not apply to:
    11    a. the following activities when not conducted for the purpose of mold
    12  assessment or mold remediation:
    13    (1) routine cleaning;
    14    (2) the diagnosis, repair, cleaning, or replacement of plumbing, heat-
    15  ing, ventilation, air conditioning, electrical, or air duct  systems  or
    16  appliances;
    17    (3) commercial or residential real estate inspections; and
    18    (4)  the  incidental  discovery  or emergency containment of potential
    19  mold contamination during the conduct or performance of services  listed

    20  in  this  subdivision.  For  purposes  of this subdivision, an emergency
    21  exists if a delay in mold remediation services in response  to  a  water
    22  damage occurrence would increase mold contamination;
    23    b.  the  repair,  replacement,  or  cleaning of construction materials
    24  during the building phase of the construction of a structure;
    25    c. the standard performance of custodial  activities  for,  preventive
    26  maintenance of, and the routine assessment of property owned or operated
    27  by a governmental entity; or
    28    d.  a  pest  control  inspection conducted by a person regulated under
    29  article thirty-three of this chapter.
    30    2. Minimum area exemption. A person is not  required  to  be  licensed

    31  under  this  article to perform mold remediation in an area in which the
    32  mold contamination for the project affects a total surface area of  less
    33  than twenty-five contiguous square feet.
    34    3.  Residential  property  exemption. An owner, or a managing agent or
    35  employee of an owner, is not required to be licensed under this  article
    36  to perform mold assessment or mold remediation on a residential property
    37  which  is owned by that person, and which has fewer than six residential
    38  dwelling units. This exemption applies regardless of the  total  surface
    39  area  within  the  residential property that is affected by mold growth.
    40  This exemption does not apply  to  a  managing  agent  or  employee  who

    41  engages  in  the  business of performing mold assessment or mold remedi-
    42  ation for the public.
    43    4. Facility exemption. An owner or tenant,  or  a  managing  agent  or
    44  employee  of  an  owner  or tenant, is not required to be licensed under
    45  this article to perform mold assessment or mold remediation on  property
    46  owned or leased by the owner or tenant. This exemption does not apply:
    47    a.  if  the  managing  agent  or  employee  engages in the business of
    48  performing mold assessment or mold remediation for the public;
    49    b. if the mold remediation is performed in an area in which  the  mold
    50  contamination  affects  a  total  surface area of twenty-five contiguous
    51  square feet or more; or

    52    c. to a person exempt under subdivision three of this section.
    53    5. Construction and improvement exemption. A person is not required to
    54  be licensed under this article to perform mold assessment or mold  reme-
    55  diation   in  a  one-family  or  two-family  dwelling  that  the  person
    56  constructed or improved if the person performs the  mold  assessment  or

        S. 4524--A                          5
 
     1  mold  remediation  at the same time the person performs the construction
     2  or improvement or at the same time the person performs  repair  work  on
     3  the  construction  or  improvement. This exemption applies regardless of
     4  the  total  surface area that is affected by mold growth. This exemption

     5  does not apply if the person engages in the business of performing  mold
     6  assessment  or  mold  remediation  for  the public. For purposes of this
     7  subdivision, "improve" means "to build, construct, or erect a new build-
     8  ing or structure or a new portion of a building  or  structure  that  is
     9  attached  to  an existing building or structure" and "improvement" means
    10  "a building or structure, or a portion of a building or structure,  that
    11  was  built,  constructed,  or  erected  as  an attachment to an existing
    12  building or structure after the construction or erection of the existing
    13  building or structure."
    14    6. Supervised employee exemption. An employee of a license  holder  is
    15  not  required  to be licensed under this article to perform mold assess-

    16  ment or mold remediation while supervised by the license holder.
    17    7. Exceptions for licensed professionals. All persons engaged in mold-
    18  related activities must be licensed as outlined in this article,  except
    19  that  those  professionals  currently  licensed  by the state in another
    20  field (including, but not limited to, medicine, architecture,  or  engi-
    21  neering)  who  provide  to  a mold licensee only consultation related to
    22  that other field are not required to be separately licensed  under  this
    23  article.  In such a case, the responsibility for the project or activity
    24  remains with the mold licensee.
    25    8. Loss of exemption. A person  who  is  performing  mold  remediation
    26  under  the  licensing  exemptions  of  subdivision  two  or four of this

    27  section and identifies additional mold such that the total mold  contam-
    28  ination  affects  a  total surface area of twenty-five contiguous square
    29  feet or more shall:
    30    a. immediately cease all  remediation  work  and  implement  emergency
    31  containment if necessary; and
    32    b.  advise  the  person  requesting the remediation that the exemption
    33  under subdivision two or four of this section has been lost and that any
    34  additional mold remediation and post-remediation assessment in the  area
    35  must be done by a person licensed or registered under this article.
    36    9. Fee exemption for department employees. Employees of the department
    37  who  engage  in mold-related activity as a condition of their employment

    38  shall be exempt from examination fees and credentialing fees under  this
    39  article.    Fee-exempted credentials shall be restricted for use only in
    40  required departmental duties, and  the  credentials  will  indicate  the
    41  restriction.  An employee who is no longer required to possess a creden-
    42  tial as a condition of employment shall immediately return that  creden-
    43  tial to the department for closure. An individual who terminates employ-
    44  ment   with  the  department  shall  immediately  return  all  unexpired
    45  credentials to the department for closure. The department may impose  an
    46  administrative  penalty  or  take  other disciplinary action against any
    47  employee or former employee who uses a fee-exempt credential  to  engage

    48  in a mold-related activity that is not a required departmental duty.
    49  § 32-0104. Conflict of interest and disclosure requirement.
    50    1.  Conflict  of  interest.  a. A licensee shall not perform both mold
    51  assessment and mold remediation on the same project.
    52    b. A person shall not own an interest in an entity that performs  mold
    53  assessment  services  and  an  entity  that  performs  mold  remediation
    54  services on the same project.
    55    2. Disclosure requirement. At the time of application  for  licensing,
    56  an  applying  company  that  is  not solely owned, shall disclose to the

        S. 4524--A                          6
 
     1  department the name, address, and occupation of each person that has  an

     2  ownership  interest  of  ten  percent or more in the company. A licensee
     3  shall report to the department within ten days any change related  to  a
     4  person  who  has  an ownership interest of ten percent or more including
     5  additions to or deletions from  any  list  of  such  persons  previously
     6  supplied  to  the department and any changes in the names, addresses, or
     7  occupations of any persons on such a list.
     8    3. This section does not apply to  a  license  holder  employed  by  a
     9  school district working on a project for that school district.
    10  § 32-0105. Mold assessment technician; licensing requirements.
    11    1.  Licensing  requirement.  Unless  exempted under section 32-0103 of
    12  this article, an individual must be licensed as a mold assessment  tech-

    13  nician  to  perform  activities  listed  under  subdivision  two of this
    14  section.
    15    2. Scope. An individual licensed under this section is  authorized  to
    16  determine the location and extent of mold or suspected mold present in a
    17  facility. A mold assessment technician is licensed to:
    18    a. record visual observations and take on-site measurements, including
    19  temperature,  humidity,  and moisture levels, during an initial or post-
    20  remediation mold assessment;
    21    b. collect samples for mold analysis during an  initial  mold  assess-
    22  ment;
    23    c. prepare a mold assessment report; and
    24    d. collect samples during a post-remediation mold assessment.

    25    3.  Qualifications. In addition to the requirements for all applicants
    26  listed in section 32-0102 of this article, an applicant must be  a  high
    27  school  graduate  or have obtained a general education development (GED)
    28  certificate.
    29    4. Fees. The fees for a mold assessment technician  license  shall  be
    30  two hundred dollars.
    31    5.  Applications  and  renewals.  Applications  for  licenses shall be
    32  submitted as required by subdivision five of  section  32-0102  of  this
    33  article.  An  applicant shall include the following information with the
    34  application:
    35    a. if the application is for an initial license:
    36    (1) a copy of a high school diploma or GED certificate;

    37    (2) a copy of certification  as  described  in  subdivision  three  of
    38  section 32-0102 of this article; and
    39    (3) proof of successfully passing the state licensing examination with
    40  a score of at least seventy percent correct; or
    41    b.  if  the application is for renewal of a license, a copy of certif-
    42  ication pursuant to subdivision three of section 32-0102 of  this  arti-
    43  cle.
    44    6. Responsibilities. A licensed mold assessment technician shall:
    45    a.  perform  only  activities  allowed  under  subdivision two of this
    46  section;
    47    b. comply with mold sampling protocols accepted as industry standards;
    48    c. utilize the services of  a  laboratory  that  is  licensed  by  the

    49  department to provide analysis of mold samples; and
    50    d. provide to the client a mold assessment report following an initial
    51  (pre-remediation) mold assessment.
    52  § 32-0106. Mold remediation contractor; licensing requirements.
    53    1.  Licensing  requirements.  Unless exempted under section 32-0103 of
    54  this article, an individual must  be  licensed  as  a  mold  remediation
    55  contractor  to  perform  activities listed under subdivision two of this
    56  section.

        S. 4524--A                          7
 
     1    2. Scope. An individual licensed under this section may  perform  mold
     2  remediation and supervise registered mold remediation workers performing

     3  mold remediation. In addition, a licensed mold remediation contractor is
     4  licensed to provide mold remediation services including:
     5    a.  preparing  a mold remediation work plan providing instructions for
     6  the remediation efforts to be performed for a mold remediation  project;
     7  and
     8    b.  conducting  and interpreting the results of activities recommended
     9  in a work plan developed under paragraph a of this subdivision.
    10    3. Qualifications. In addition to the requirements for all  applicants
    11  listed  in  section  32-0102  of this article, an applicant must meet at
    12  least one of the following education and/or experience requirements:
    13    a. a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a

    14  major in a  natural  or  physical  science,  engineering,  architecture,
    15  building  construction,  or  building  sciences and at least one year of
    16  experience either in an allied field  or  as  a  general  contractor  in
    17  building construction;
    18    b.  at least sixty college credit hours with a grade of C or better in
    19  the natural sciences, physical sciences, environmental sciences,  build-
    20  ing  sciences, or a field related to any of those sciences, and at least
    21  three years of experience in an allied field or as a general  contractor
    22  in building construction;
    23    c.  a  high  school  diploma  or  general  education development (GED)
    24  certificate, plus at least five years of experience in an  allied  field

    25  or as a general contractor in building construction; or
    26    d.  certification as an industrial hygienist, a professional engineer,
    27  a professional registered sanitarian, a certified  safety  professional,
    28  or  a  registered architect, with at least one year of experience either
    29  in an allied field or as a general contractor in building construction.
    30    4. Fees. The fee for a mold remediation  contractor  license  is  five
    31  hundred dollars.
    32    5.  Applications  and  renewals.  Applications  shall  be submitted as
    33  required by subdivision five of section  32-0102  of  this  article.  An
    34  applicant shall include the following in the application package:
    35    a. if the application is for an initial license:

    36    (1)  verifiable  evidence that the applicant meets at least one of the
    37  qualifications under paragraph c of subdivision three of this section;
    38    (2) a copy of a certification as described  in  subdivision  three  of
    39  section 32-0102 of this article;
    40    (3) proof of successfully passing the state licensing examination with
    41  a score of at least seventy percent correct; or
    42    b. if the application is for renewal of a license, a copy of a certif-
    43  ication  as  described  in  subdivision three of section 32-0102 of this
    44  article.
    45    6. Responsibilities. The mold remediation contractor shall be  respon-
    46  sible for:
    47    a.  supervising mold remediation workers as defined in section 32-0101
    48  of this article;

    49    b. accurately interpreting field notes, drawings, and reports relating
    50  to mold assessments;
    51    c. advising clients about options for mold remediation;
    52    d. complying with standards for preparing mold remediation work plans;
    53    e. providing to a client a mold remediation work plan for the  project
    54  before the mold remediation preparation work begins;

        S. 4524--A                          8
 
     1    f.  inquiring  of  the client whether any known or suspected hazardous
     2  materials, including lead-based paint and asbestos, are present  in  the
     3  project area;
     4    g.  signing  and dating each mold remediation work plan that he or she
     5  prepares on the cover page. The cover page shall also include his or her

     6  license number and license expiration date. He or she must also  initial
     7  the  work plan on every page that addresses the scope of work and on all
     8  drawings related to the remediation work;
     9    h. ensuring that all individuals are provided  with,  tested  for  and
    10  trained  in  the  correct  use of personal protection equipment required
    11  under subdivision three of section 32-0108 of this article;
    12    i. providing to the property owner a  completed  certificate  of  mold
    13  damage  remediation  not  later than the tenth day after the remediation
    14  project is complete; and
    15    j. assuring that the  certificate  of  mold  damage  remediation  must
    16  include  a  statement  by a licensed mold assessment technician (not the

    17  licensed mold remediation contractor) that based on visual,  procedural,
    18  and  analytical  evaluation,  the  mold contamination identified for the
    19  project has been remediated as outlined in the mold remediation protocol
    20  and the underlying cause of the mold has been remediated  so  that  such
    21  technician  is reasonably certain that the mold will not return from the
    22  same cause.
    23  § 32-0107. Minimum work practices and procedures for mold assessment.
    24    1. Scope. These general work practices are minimum requirements and do
    25  not constitute complete or sufficient specifications  for  mold  assess-
    26  ment.
    27    2.  Purpose.  The  purpose  of  a  mold assessment is to determine the

    28  sources, locations and extent of mold growth in a building, to determine
    29  the condition or conditions that caused the mold growth, and  to  enable
    30  the assessment technician to prepare a mold remediation protocol.
    31    3. Mold remediation protocol. An assessment technician shall prepare a
    32  mold  remediation  protocol that is specific to each remediation project
    33  and provide the protocol to the client before  the  remediation  begins.
    34  The mold remediation protocol must specify:
    35    a. the rooms or areas where the work will be performed;
    36    b. the estimated quantities of materials to be cleaned or removed;
    37    c. the methods to be used for each type of remediation in each type of
    38  area;

    39    d.  the personal protection equipment (PPE) to be used by remediators.
    40  A minimum of an  N-95  respirator  is  recommended  during  mold-related
    41  activities  when  mold growth could or would be disturbed. Using profes-
    42  sional judgment, a technician may specify additional or more  protective
    43  PPE if he or she determines that it is warranted;
    44    e. the proposed types of containment, as that term is defined in para-
    45  graph  c  of  subdivision  one of section 32-0101 of this article and as
    46  described in subdivision five of this section, to  be  used  during  the
    47  project in each type of area; and
    48    f.  the  proposed  clearance  procedures and criteria, as described in
    49  this section, for each type of remediation in each type of area.

    50    4. Building occupants. A mold  assessment  consultant  shall  consider
    51  whether  to  recommend  to a client that, before remediation begins, the
    52  client should inform building occupants of mold-related activities  that
    53  will disturb or will have the potential to disturb areas of mold contam-
    54  ination.
    55    5.  Containment  requirements. Containment must be specified in a mold
    56  remediation protocol when the mold contamination affects a total surface

        S. 4524--A                          9
 
     1  area of twenty-five contiguous square feet  or  more  for  the  project.
     2  Containment  is not required if only persons who are licensed under this
     3  article occupy the building in which the remediation takes place at  any

     4  time  during  the  remediation project. The containment specified in the
     5  remediation protocol must prevent the spread of mold  to  areas  of  the
     6  building  outside  the  containment  under  normal conditions of use. If
     7  walk-in containment is  used,  supply  and  return  air  vents  must  be
     8  blocked,  and  air pressure within the walk-in containment must be lower
     9  than the pressure in building areas adjacent to the containment.
    10    6. Disinfectants, biocides and antimicrobial coatings.  An  assessment
    11  technician  who indicates in a remediation protocol that a disinfectant,
    12  biocide, or antimicrobial coating will be used  on  a  mold  remediation
    13  project  shall indicate a specific product or brand only if it is regis-

    14  tered by the United  States  Environmental  Protection  Agency  for  the
    15  intended use and if the use is consistent with the manufacturer's label-
    16  ing  instructions.  A  decision  by an assessment consultant to use such
    17  products must take into account the potential for occupant sensitivities
    18  and possible adverse reactions to chemicals that have the  potential  to
    19  be off-gassed from surfaces coated with such products.
    20    7.  Clearance procedures and criteria. In the remediation protocol for
    21  the project, the assessment technician shall specify:
    22    a. at least one nationally recognized analytical method for use within
    23  each remediated area in order to  determine  whether  the  mold  contam-

    24  ination  identified  for  the project has been remediated as outlined in
    25  the remediation protocol;
    26    b. the criteria to be used for evaluating analytical results to deter-
    27  mine whether the remediation project passes clearance;
    28    c. that post-remediation assessment shall be conducted  while  walk-in
    29  containment  is  in  place,  if walk-in containment is specified for the
    30  project; and
    31    d. the procedures to be used in  determining  whether  the  underlying
    32  cause of the mold identified for the project has been remediated so that
    33  such technician is reasonably certain that the mold will not return from
    34  the same cause.
    35  § 32-0108. Minimum work practices and procedures for mold remediation.

    36    1. Scope. These general work practices are minimum requirements and do
    37  not  constitute complete or sufficient specifications for a mold remedi-
    38  ation project. More detailed requirements  developed  by  an  assessment
    39  technician  for  a  particular  project  shall  take precedence over the
    40  provisions of this section.
    41    2. Remediation work plan. A remediation  contractor  shall  prepare  a
    42  mold  remediation  work  plan that is specific to each project, fulfills
    43  all the requirements of  the  mold  remediation  protocol  and  provides
    44  specific  instructions  and/or  standard  operating procedures for how a
    45  mold remediation project will be performed. The  remediation  contractor
    46  shall  provide  the mold remediation work plan to the client before site

    47  preparation work begins.
    48    3. Personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements. If an  assessment
    49  technician  specifies  in  the  mold  remediation  protocol  that PPE is
    50  required for the project, the remediation contractor shall  provide  the
    51  specified  PPE to all employees who engage in remediation activities and
    52  who will, or are anticipated to, disturb or remove  mold  contamination,
    53  when the mold affects a total surface area for the project of 25 contig-
    54  uous  feet  or  more. The recommended minimum PPE is an N-95 respirator.
    55  Each employee who is provided PPE must receive training on the appropri-
    56  ate use and care of the provided PPE.

        S. 4524--A                         10
 

     1    4. Containment requirements. The containment specified in the  remedi-
     2  ation  protocol must be used on a mold remediation project when the mold
     3  affects a total surface area of twenty-five contiguous  square  feet  or
     4  more  for  the project.  Containment is not required if only persons who
     5  are licensed under this article occupy the building in which the remedi-
     6  ation  takes  place  at  any  time during the remediation project.   The
     7  containment, when constructed as described in the remediation work  plan
     8  and  under  normal conditions of use, must prevent the spread of mold to
     9  areas outside the containment. If walk-in containment  is  used,  supply
    10  and  return air vents must be blocked, and air pressure within the walk-

    11  in containment must be lower than the pressure in building  areas  adja-
    12  cent to the containment.
    13    5.  Notice signs. Signs advising that a mold remediation project is in
    14  progress shall be displayed at all accessible entrances  to  remediation
    15  areas.  The  signs  shall be at least eight inches by ten inches in size
    16  and shall bear the words "NOTICE: Mold remediation project in  progress"
    17  in  black  on a yellow background. The text of the signs must be legible
    18  from a distance of ten feet.
    19    6. Removal of containment. No person shall  remove  or  dismantle  any
    20  walk-in containment structures or materials from a project site prior to
    21  receipt  by  the  licensed  mold  remediation  contractor overseeing the

    22  project of a written notice from a licensed mold  assessment  technician
    23  that  the  project  has  achieved  clearance  as described under section
    24  32-0109 of this article.
    25    7. Disinfectants, biocides and antimicrobial coatings.  Disinfectants,
    26  biocides  and  antimicrobial  coatings  may be used only if their use is
    27  specified in a mold remediation protocol, if they are registered by  the
    28  United  States  Environmental Protection Agency for the intended use and
    29  if the use is consistent with the manufacturer's labeling  instructions.
    30  If  a  protocol specifies the use of such a product but does not specify
    31  the brand or type of product, a remediation contractor  may  select  the
    32  brand  or type of product to be used, subject to the other provisions of

    33  this subdivision. A decision by an assessment technician or  remediation
    34  contractor  to  use  such a product must take into account the potential
    35  for occupant sensitivities and possible adverse reactions  to  chemicals
    36  that  have  the potential to be off-gassed from surfaces coated with the
    37  product.
    38  § 32-0109. Post-remediation assessment and clearance.
    39    1. Clearance criteria. For a remediation project to achieve clearance,
    40  a licensed mold assessment technician shall conduct  a  post-remediation
    41  assessment  using visual, procedural, and analytical methods. If walk-in
    42  containment is used during remediation, the post-remediation  assessment
    43  shall  be conducted while the walk-in containment is in place. The post-

    44  remediation assessment shall determine whether:
    45    a. the work area is free from all visible mold and wood rot; and
    46    b. all work has been completed  in  compliance  with  the  remediation
    47  protocol  and  remediation work plan and meets clearance criteria speci-
    48  fied in the protocol.
    49    2. Underlying cause of mold. Post-remediation assessment shall, to the
    50  extent feasible, determine that the underlying cause  of  the  mold  has
    51  been  remediated so that it is reasonably certain that the mold will not
    52  return from that remediated cause.
    53    3. Analytical methods. a. The assessment technician  shall  perform  a
    54  visual, procedural, and analytical evaluation in each remediated area in

    55  order  to  determine  whether  the mold contamination identified for the
    56  project has been remediated as outlined in the remediation protocol.

        S. 4524--A                         11
 
     1    b. The technician shall use only the analytical methods and the crite-
     2  ria for evaluating analytical results that were specified in the remedi-
     3  ation protocol, unless circumstances beyond the control of  the  techni-
     4  cian  and  the remediation contractor necessitate alternative analytical
     5  methods  or criteria. The consultant shall provide to the client written
     6  documentation of the need for any deviation from the remediation  proto-
     7  col  and  the  alternative analytical methods and criteria selected, and

     8  shall obtain approval from the client for their use,  before  proceeding
     9  with the post-remediation assessment.
    10    c.  Where  visual  inspection  reveals deficiencies sufficient to fail
    11  clearance, analytical methods need not be used.
    12    4. Passed clearance report. An assessment  technician  who  determines
    13  that remediation has been successful shall issue a written passed clear-
    14  ance  report  to  the  client at the conclusion of each mold remediation
    15  project. The report must include the following:
    16    a. a description of relevant worksite observations;
    17    b. the  type  and  location  of  all  measurements  made  and  samples
    18  collected at the worksite;
    19    c. all data obtained at the worksite, including temperature, humidity,

    20  and material moisture readings;
    21    d.  the  results  of analytical evaluation of the samples collected at
    22  the worksite;
    23    e. copies of all photographs the consultant took; and
    24    f. a clear statement that the project has passed clearance.
    25    5. Final status report. If the mold assessment  consultant  determines
    26  that  remediation has not been successful and ceases to be involved with
    27  the project before the project passes clearance,  the  consultant  shall
    28  issue a written final status report to the client and to the remediation
    29  contractor  or  company  performing  the project. The status report must
    30  include the items listed in paragraphs a, b, c, d, and e of  subdivision

    31  four of this section and any conclusions that the consultant has drawn.
    32  § 32-0110. Duty of property owner.
    33    If  a  property  owner  sells  the  property, the property owner shall
    34  provide to the buyer a copy of each certificate of mold  damage  remedi-
    35  ation  issued  for the property under this section during the five years
    36  preceding the date the property owner sells the property.
    37  § 32-0111. Compliance; inspections and investigations.
    38    1. The department may inspect or investigate the business practices of
    39  any persons involved with mold-related activity for compliance with this
    40  article.
    41    2. A department representative, upon presenting a department identifi-

    42  cation card, shall have the right to enter at all reasonable  times  any
    43  area  or environment, including but not limited to any containment area,
    44  building, construction site, storage  or  office  area,  or  vehicle  to
    45  review  records,  to  question  any  person,  or to locate, identify, or
    46  assess areas of mold growth for the purpose of inspection  and  investi-
    47  gation for compliance with this article.
    48    3.  A  department  representative  conducting  official  duties is not
    49  required to notify in advance or seek permission to conduct  inspections
    50  or  investigations.  It is a violation for any person to interfere with,
    51  deny, or delay an inspection or investigation conducted by a  department

    52  representative.  A  department  representative  shall  not be impeded or
    53  refused entry in the course of official duties by reason of any  regula-
    54  tory or contractual specification.
    55    4.  A person who believes that any provision under this title has been
    56  violated may file a written complaint with the department. The complaint

        S. 4524--A                         12
 
     1  form is available on the  department's  website.  The  department  shall
     2  conduct  an  investigation,  including for an anonymous complaint if the
     3  complainant provides sufficient information.
     4    Department  representatives shall investigate complaints by the public
     5  regarding violations of the provisions of this title.

     6  § 32-0112. Compliance; reprimand, suspension, revocations, probation.
     7    The department may issue an administrative  penalty  as  described  in
     8  section  32-0113  of this article, deny an application, suspend, suspend
     9  with probationary terms, or revoke a license of a  person  who  violates
    10  any provision under this title. In addition, the department may issue an
    11  administrative  penalty,  deny  an  application,  suspend,  suspend with
    12  probationary terms, or revoke a license of a person who:
    13    1. fails to comply with this article;
    14    2. has fraudulently or deceptively obtained or attempted to  obtain  a
    15  credential,  ID  card  or  approval, including engaging in misconduct or
    16  dishonesty during the state licensing examination, such as  cheating  or

    17  having  another  person take or attempt to take the examination for that
    18  person;
    19    3. duplicates or allows another person to duplicate a  credential,  ID
    20  card or approval;
    21    4.  uses  a  credential  issued  to another person or allows any other
    22  person to use a credential, ID card or approval not issued to that other
    23  person;
    24    5. falsifies records for mold-related activities that  the  department
    25  requires the person to create, submit, or maintain; or
    26    6.  is  convicted of a felony or misdemeanor arising from mold-related
    27  activity.
    28  § 32-0113. Compliance; administrative penalty.
    29    1. If a person violates this article, the  department  may  assess  an
    30  administrative penalty.

    31    2.  The penalty shall not exceed three thousand dollars per violation.
    32  The department may reduce or enhance penalties as warranted.
    33    § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
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