Senate Bill sb2234

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    Florida Senate - 2007                                  SB 2234

    By Senator Wise





    5-1076-07

  1                      A bill to be entitled

  2         An act relating to the regulation of building

  3         inspection professionals; creating part XV of

  4         ch. 468, F.S., relating to regulation of home

  5         inspectors; providing a purpose; exempting

  6         certain professionals from licensure

  7         requirements; providing definitions;

  8         authorizing the Department of Business and

  9         Professional Regulation to establish fees for

10         license application, examination, renewal, and

11         other purposes; limiting fee amounts; requiring

12         an examination in order for licensure as a home

13         inspector; providing qualifications for taking

14         the licensure examination; providing

15         requirements for the department to certify and

16         license home inspectors; providing for

17         licensure by endorsement; requiring continuing

18         education for license renewal; providing

19         criteria for continuing education; providing

20         for inactivation of licenses; requiring the

21         department to establish fees for the

22         reactivation and renewal of inactive licenses;

23         providing for certification of partnerships and

24         corporations offering home inspection services;

25         requiring a certificate of authorization for

26         certain persons and entities practicing home

27         inspection services; providing for prohibitions

28         and penalties; providing grounds for

29         disciplinary proceedings; authorizing the

30         department to impose specified penalties;

31         requiring home inspectors to provide a

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    Florida Senate - 2007                                  SB 2234
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 1         specified disclosure to consumers; requiring

 2         home inspectors to maintain general liability

 3         insurance of a certain amount; requiring home

 4         inspectors to provide a written report to

 5         homeowners upon completion of each home

 6         inspection; providing content requirements for

 7         home inspection reports; authorizing certain

 8         persons to qualify for home inspection

 9         licensure notwithstanding the requirements of

10         the act; creating part XVI of ch. 468, F.S.,

11         relating to regulation of mold remediators and

12         mold assessors; providing a purpose; exempting

13         certain professionals from licensure

14         requirements; providing definitions;

15         authorizing the department to establish fees

16         for license application, examination, renewal,

17         and other purposes; limiting fee amounts;

18         requiring an examination for licensure as a

19         mold assessor and mold remediator; providing

20         qualifications for taking the licensure

21         examinations; providing requirements for the

22         department to certify and license home

23         inspectors; providing for licensure by

24         endorsement; requiring continuing education for

25         license renewal; providing criteria for

26         continuing education; providing for

27         inactivation of licenses; requiring the

28         department to establish fees for the

29         reactivation and renewal of inactive licenses;

30         providing for certification of partnerships and

31         corporations offering mold assessment or mold

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    Florida Senate - 2007                                  SB 2234
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 1         remediation services; requiring a certificate

 2         of authorization for certain persons and

 3         entities practicing home inspection services;

 4         providing for liability of licensed mold

 5         assessors or mold remediators in certain

 6         circumstances; providing for scope of

 7         licensure; providing for prohibitions and

 8         penalties; providing grounds for disciplinary

 9         proceedings; authorizing the department to

10         impose specified penalties; requiring mold

11         assessors and mold remediators to maintain

12         certain types of insurance of specified

13         amounts; providing requirements for contracts

14         to perform mold assessment or mold remediation;

15         authorizing certain persons to qualify for mold

16         assessment and mold remediation licensure

17         notwithstanding the requirements of the act;

18         creating part XVII of ch. 468, F.S., relating

19         to the regulation of wind-mitigation assessors;

20         providing definitions; authorizing the

21         Department of Business and Professional

22         Regulation to certify and license

23         wind-mitigation assessors; providing licensure

24         qualifications; providing exemptions; providing

25         prohibitions and penalties; requiring

26         wind-mitigation assessors to maintain general

27         liability insurance of a specified amount;

28         providing that wind-mitigation assessors are

29         not required to provide certain estimates;

30         providing an effective date.

31  

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    Florida Senate - 2007                                  SB 2234
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 1  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:

 2  

 3         Section 1.  Part XV of chapter 468, Florida Statutes,

 4  consisting of sections 468.83, 468.831, 468.8311, 468.8312,

 5  468.8313, 468.8314, 468.8315, 468.8316, 468.8317, 468.8318,

 6  468.8319, 468.832, 468.8321, 468.8322, 468.8323, and 468.8324,

 7  is created to read:

 8         468.83  Purpose.--The Legislature recognizes that there

 9  is a need to require the licensing of home inspectors and to

10  ensure that consumers of home inspection services can rely on

11  the competence of home inspectors, as determined by

12  educational and experience requirements and testing.

13  Therefore, the Legislature deems it necessary in the interest

14  of the public welfare to regulate home inspectors in this

15  state.

16         468.831  Exemptions.--A person is not required to

17  comply with this part when acting within his or her authorized

18  scope of practice, except when such person holds himself or

19  herself out for hire to the public as a "certified home

20  inspector," "registered home inspector," "licensed home

21  inspector," "home inspector," "professional home inspector,"

22  or any combination thereof stating or implying licensure under

23  this part if he or she is one or more of the following:

24         (1)  A contractor licensed under chapter 489.

25         (2)  An architect licensed under chapter 481.

26         (3)  An engineer licensed under chapter 471.

27         (4)  A building code administrator, plans examiner, or

28  building code inspector licensed under part XII of this

29  chapter.

30  

31  

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 1         (5)  A certified real estate appraiser, licensed real

 2  estate appraiser, or registered real estate appraiser licensed

 3  under part II of chapter 475.

 4         (6)  A home inspector whose report is being provided

 5  to, and is solely for the benefit of, the Federal Housing

 6  Administration or the Veterans Administration.

 7         (7)  A home inspector conducting inspections for

 8  wood-destroying organisms on behalf of a licensee under

 9  chapter 482.

10         (8)  A firesafety inspector certified under s. 633.081.

11         (9)  An insurance adjuster licensed under part VI of

12  chapter 626.

13         (10)  An officer appointed by the court.

14         (11)  A certified energy auditor performing an energy

15  audit of any home or building conducted under chapter 366 or

16  rules adopted by the Public Service Commission.

17         468.8311  Definitions.--As used in this part, the term:

18         (1)  "Department" means the Department of Business and

19  Professional Regulation.

20         (2)  "Home" means any residential real property, or

21  manufactured or modular home, which is a single-family

22  dwelling, duplex, triplex, quadruplex, condominium unit, or

23  cooperative unit. The term does not include the common areas

24  of condominiums or cooperatives.

25         (3)  "Home inspector" means any person who provides or

26  offers to provide home inspection services for a fee or other

27  compensation.

28         (4)  "Home inspection services" means a limited visual

29  examination of one or more of the readily accessible installed

30  systems and components of a home, including the structure,

31  electrical system, HVAC system, roof covering, plumbing

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 1  system, interior components, exterior components, and site

 2  conditions that affect the structure, for the purposes of

 3  providing a written professional opinion of the condition of

 4  the home.

 5         468.8312  Fees.--

 6         (1)  The department, by rule, may establish fees to be

 7  paid for application, examination, reexamination, licensing

 8  and renewal, application for inactive status and reactivation

 9  of an inactive license, recordkeeping, and application for

10  providers of continuing education. The department may also

11  establish by rule a delinquency fee. Fees shall be based on

12  department estimates of the revenue required to administer the

13  provisions of this part. All fees shall be remitted with the

14  appropriate application, examination, or license.

15         (2)  The initial application and examination fee may

16  not exceed $125 plus the actual per-applicant cost to the

17  department to purchase an examination, if the department

18  chooses to purchase the examination. The examination fee shall

19  be in an amount that covers the cost of obtaining and

20  administering the examination and shall be refunded if the

21  applicant is found ineligible to sit for the examination. The

22  application fee is nonrefundable.

23         (3)  The initial license fee may not exceed $200.

24         (4)  The fee for a certificate of authorization may not

25  exceed $125.

26         (5)  The biennial renewal fee may not exceed $200.

27         (6)  The fee for licensure by endorsement may not

28  exceed $200.

29         (7)  The fee for application for inactive status or for

30  reactivation of an inactive license may not exceed $200.

31  

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 1         (8)  The fee for applications from providers of

 2  continuing education may not exceed $500.

 3         468.8313  Examinations.--

 4         (1)  A person desiring to be licensed as a home

 5  inspector shall apply to the department to take a licensure

 6  examination.

 7         (2)  An applicant is entitled to take the licensure

 8  examination for the purpose of determining whether he or she

 9  is qualified to practice in this state as a home inspector if

10  the applicant is of good moral character and has satisfied the

11  following requirements:

12         (a)  Has received a high school diploma or its

13  equivalent.

14         (b)  Has completed a course of study of no less than

15  120 hours that covers all of the following components of a

16  home: structure, electrical system, HVAC system, roof

17  covering, plumbing system, interior components, exterior

18  components, and site conditions that affect the structure.

19         (3)  The department shall review and approve courses of

20  study in home inspection.

21         (4)  The department may review and approve examinations

22  by a nationally recognized entity that sets programs and

23  standards that ensure competence as a home inspector.

24         (5)(a)  "Good moral character" means a personal history

25  of honesty, fairness, and respect for the rights of others and

26  for the laws of this state and nation.

27         (b)  The department may refuse to certify an applicant

28  for failure to satisfy this requirement only if:

29         1.  There is a substantial connection between the lack

30  of good moral character of the applicant and the professional

31  responsibilities of a licensed home inspector; and

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 1         2.  The finding by the department of lack of good moral

 2  character is supported by clear and convincing evidence.

 3         (c)  When an applicant is found to be unqualified for a

 4  license because of lack of good moral character, the

 5  department shall furnish the applicant a statement containing

 6  the findings of the department, a complete record of the

 7  evidence upon which the determination was based, and a notice

 8  of the rights of the applicant to a rehearing and appeal.

 9         (6)  The department may adopt rules pursuant to ss.

10  120.536(1) and 120.54 to administer the provisions of this

11  section.

12         468.8314  Licensure.--

13         (1)  The department shall license any applicant who the

14  department certifies is qualified to practice home inspection

15  services.

16         (2)  The department shall certify for licensure any

17  applicant who satisfies the requirements of s. 468.8313 and

18  who has passed the licensing examination. The department may

19  refuse to certify an applicant who has violated any of the

20  provisions of s. 468.832.

21         (3)  The department shall certify as qualified for a

22  license by endorsement an applicant who is of good moral

23  character as determined in s. 468.8313; holds a valid license

24  to practice home inspection services in another state or

25  territory of the United States which has educational

26  requirements that are substantially equivalent to those

27  required by this part; and has passed a national, regional,

28  state, or territorial licensing examination that is

29  substantially equivalent to the examination required by this

30  part.

31  

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 1         (4)  The department may not issue a license by

 2  endorsement to any applicant who is under investigation in

 3  another state for any act that would constitute a violation of

 4  this part or chapter 455 until such time as the investigation

 5  is complete and disciplinary proceedings have been terminated.

 6         468.8315  Renewal of license.--

 7         (1)  The department shall renew a license upon receipt

 8  of the renewal application and upon certification by the

 9  department that the licensee has satisfactorily completed the

10  continuing education requirements of s. 468.8316.

11         (2)  The department shall adopt rules establishing a

12  procedure for the biennial renewal of licenses.

13         468.8316  Continuing education.--

14         (1)  The department may not renew a license until the

15  licensee submits proof satisfactory to the department that

16  during the 2 years prior to his or her application for renewal

17  the licensee has completed at least 14 hours of continuing

18  education. Criteria and course content shall be approved by

19  the department by rule.

20         (2)  The department may prescribe by rule additional

21  continuing professional education hours, not to exceed 25

22  percent of the total hours required, for failure to complete

23  the hours required for renewal by the end of the

24  reestablishment period.

25         468.8317  Inactive license.--

26         (1)  A licensee may request that his or her license be

27  placed in an inactive status by making application to the

28  department.

29         (2)  A license that has become inactive may be

30  reactivated upon application to the department. The department

31  may prescribe by rule continuing education requirements as a

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 1  condition of reactivating a license. The continuing education

 2  requirements for reactivating a license may not exceed 14

 3  hours for each year that the license was inactive.

 4         (3)  The department shall adopt rules relating to

 5  licenses that have become inactive and for the renewal of

 6  inactive licenses. The department shall prescribe by rule a

 7  fee not to exceed $50 for the reactivation of an inactive

 8  license and a fee not to exceed $50 for the renewal of an

 9  inactive license.

10         468.8318  Certification of corporations and

11  partnerships.--

12         (1)  The department shall issue a certificate of

13  authorization to a corporation or partnership offering home

14  inspection services to the public if the corporation or

15  partnership satisfies all of the requirements of this part.

16         (2)  The practice of or the offer to practice home

17  inspection services by licensees through a corporation or

18  partnership offering home inspection services to the public,

19  or by a corporation or partnership offering such services to

20  the public through licensees under this part as agents,

21  employees, officers, or partners, is permitted subject to the

22  provisions of this part if all personnel of the corporation or

23  partnership who act in its behalf as home inspectors in this

24  state are licensed as provided by this part and if the

25  corporation or partnership has been issued a certificate of

26  authorization by the department as provided in this section.

27  This section does not allow a corporation to hold a license to

28  practice home inspection services. A corporation or

29  partnership is not relieved of responsibility for the conduct

30  or acts of its agents, employees, or officers by reason of its

31  compliance with this section, and an individual practicing

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 1  home inspection services is not relieved of responsibility for

 2  professional services performed by reason of his or her

 3  employment or relationship with a corporation or partnership.

 4         (3)  For purposes of this section, a certificate of

 5  authorization is required in order for a corporation,

 6  partnership, association, or person practicing under a

 7  fictitious name to offer home inspection services to the

 8  public; however, if an individual is practicing home

 9  inspection services in his or her own given name, he or she is

10  not required to register under this section.

11         (4)  The fact that any licensed home inspector

12  practices through a corporation or partnership does not

13  relieve the licensee from personal liability for negligence,

14  misconduct, or wrongful acts committed by him or her.

15  Partnerships and all partners are jointly and severally liable

16  for the negligence, misconduct, or wrongful acts committed by

17  their agents, employees, or partners while acting in a

18  professional capacity. Any officer, agent, or employee of a

19  business organization other than a partnership is personally

20  liable and accountable only for negligent acts, wrongful acts,

21  or misconduct committed by him or her or committed by any

22  person under his or her direct supervision and control while

23  rendering professional services on behalf of the business

24  organization. The personal liability of a shareholder or owner

25  of a business organization, in his or her capacity as

26  shareholder or owner, is no greater than that of a

27  shareholder-employee of a corporation incorporated under

28  chapter 607. The business organization is liable up to the

29  full value of its property for any negligent acts, wrongful

30  acts, or misconduct committed by any of its officers, agents,

31  or employees while the officers, agents, or employees are

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 1  engaged on its behalf in the rendering of professional

 2  services.

 3         (5)  Each certificate of authorization shall be renewed

 4  every 2 years. Each partnership and corporation certified

 5  under this section shall notify the department within 1 month

 6  following any change in the information contained in the

 7  application upon which the certification is based.

 8         (6)  Disciplinary action against a corporation or

 9  partnership shall be administered in the same manner and on

10  the same grounds as disciplinary action against a licensed

11  home inspector.

12         468.8319  Prohibitions; penalties.--

13         (1)  A home inspector, a company that employs a home

14  inspector, or a company that is controlled by a company that

15  also has a financial interest in a company employing a home

16  inspector may not:

17         (a)  Practice or offer to practice home inspection

18  services unless the person has complied with the provisions of

19  this part.

20         (b)  Use the name or title "certified home inspector,"

21  "registered home inspector," "licensed home inspector," "home

22  inspector," "professional home inspector," or any combination

23  thereof unless the person has complied with the provisions of

24  this part.

25         (c)  Present as his or her own the license of another.

26         (d)  Knowingly give false or forged evidence to the

27  department or an employee thereof.

28         (e)  Use or attempt to use a license that has been

29  suspended or revoked.

30         (f)  Perform or offer to perform, prior to closing, for

31  any additional fee, any repairs to a home on which the

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 1  inspector or the inspector's company has prepared a home

 2  inspection report. This paragraph does not apply to a home

 3  warranty company that is affiliated with or retains a home

 4  inspector to perform repairs pursuant to a claim made under a

 5  home warranty contract.

 6         (g)  Inspect for a fee any property in which the

 7  inspector or the inspector's company has any financial or

 8  transfer interest.

 9         (h)  Offer or deliver any compensation, inducement, or

10  reward to any broker or agent therefor for the referral of the

11  owner of the inspected property to the inspector or the

12  inspection company.

13         (i)  Accept an engagement to make an omission or

14  prepare a report in which the inspection itself, or the fee

15  payable for the inspection, is contingent upon the conclusions

16  in the report, preestablished findings, or the close of

17  escrow.

18         (2)  Any person who is found to be in violation of any

19  provision of this section commits a misdemeanor of the first

20  degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

21         468.832  Disciplinary proceedings.--

22         (1)  The following acts constitute grounds for which

23  the disciplinary actions in subsection (2) may be taken:

24         (a)  Violation of any provision of this part or s.

25  455.227(1);

26         (b)  Attempting to procure a license to practice home

27  inspection services by bribery or fraudulent

28  misrepresentation;

29         (c)  Having a license to practice home inspection

30  services revoked, suspended, or otherwise acted against,

31  

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 1  including the denial of licensure, by the licensing authority

 2  of another state, territory, or country;

 3         (d)  Being convicted or found guilty of, or entering a

 4  plea of nolo contendere to, regardless of adjudication, a

 5  crime in any jurisdiction which directly relates to the

 6  practice of home inspection services or the ability to

 7  practice home inspection services;

 8         (e)  Making or filing a report or record that the

 9  licensee knows to be false, willfully failing to file a report

10  or record required by state or federal law, willfully impeding

11  or obstructing such filing, or inducing another person to

12  impede or obstruct such filing. Such reports or records

13  include only those that are signed in the capacity of a

14  licensed home inspector;

15         (f)  Advertising goods or services in a manner that is

16  fraudulent, false, deceptive, or misleading in form or

17  content;

18         (g)  Engaging in fraud or deceit, negligence,

19  incompetency, or misconduct in the practice of home inspection

20  services;

21         (h)  Failing to perform any statutory or legal

22  obligation placed upon a licensed home inspector; violating

23  any provision of this chapter, a rule of the department, or a

24  lawful order of the department previously entered in a

25  disciplinary hearing; or failing to comply with a lawfully

26  issued subpoena of the department; or

27         (i)  Practicing on a revoked, suspended, inactive, or

28  delinquent license.

29         (2)  When the department finds any home inspector

30  guilty of any of the grounds set forth in subsection (1), it

31  

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 1  may enter an order imposing one or more of the following

 2  penalties:

 3         (a)  Denial of an application for licensure.

 4         (b)  Revocation or suspension of a license.

 5         (c)  Imposition of an administrative fine not to exceed

 6  $1,000 for each count or separate offense.

 7         (d)  Issuance of a reprimand.

 8         (e)  Placement of the home inspector on probation for a

 9  period of time and subject to such conditions as the

10  department may specify.

11         (f)  Restriction of the authorized scope of practice by

12  the home inspector.

13         (3)  The department shall reissue the license of a

14  disciplined home inspector upon certification that he or she

15  has complied with all of the terms and conditions set forth in

16  the final order.

17         468.8321  Disclosures.--Before contracting for or

18  commencing a home inspection, a home inspector shall provide

19  to the consumer:

20         (1)  A copy of his or her license to practice home

21  inspection services in this state; and

22         (2)  A written disclosure that contains the following

23  information:

24         (a)  A statement of whether he or she maintains the

25  liability insurance required by this part;

26         (b)  The scope and any exclusions of the home

27  inspection; and

28         (c)  A statement of his or her experience that includes

29  the number of years of experience he or she has as a home

30  inspector.

31  

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 1         468.8322  Insurance.--A home inspector shall maintain a

 2  commercial general liability insurance policy in an amount of

 3  not less than $300,000.

 4         468.8323  Home inspection report.--Upon completion of

 5  each home inspection for compensation, the home inspector

 6  shall provide a written report prepared for the homeowner.

 7         (1)  The home inspector shall report:

 8         (a)  On those systems and components inspected which,

 9  in the professional opinion of the inspector, are

10  significantly deficient or are near the end of their service

11  lives.

12         (b)  The reason why, if not self-evident, the system or

13  component reported under paragraph (a) is significantly

14  deficient or near the end of its service life.

15         (c)  Any systems and components that were present at

16  the time of the inspection but were not inspected, and the

17  reason they were not inspected.

18         (2)  A home inspector is not required to provide

19  estimates related to the cost of repair of an inspected

20  property.

21         468.8324  Grandfather clause.--Until January 1, 2009,

22  notwithstanding any other provision of this part, a person may

23  qualify to be licensed by the department as a home inspector

24  if he or she:

25         (1)  Has received a high school diploma or its

26  equivalent;

27         (2)  Has been engaged in the practice of home

28  inspection for compensation for at least 3 years before July

29  1, 2007;

30         (3)  Is of good moral character as defined in s.

31  468.8313; and

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 1         (4)  Has not committed any acts that would be grounds

 2  for disciplinary actions had the person been licensed under

 3  this part.

 4         Section 2.  Part XVI of chapter 468, Florida Statutes,

 5  consisting of sections 468.84, 468.841, 468.8411, 468.8412,

 6  468.8413, 468.8414, 468.8415, 468.8416, 468.8417, 468.8418,

 7  468.8419, 468.842, 468.8421, 468.8422, 468.8423, and 468.8424,

 8  is created to read:

 9         468.84  Legislative purpose.--The Legislature finds it

10  necessary, in the interest of the public safety and welfare,

11  to prevent damage to real and personal property, to avert

12  economic injury to the residents of this state, and to

13  regulate persons and companies that hold themselves out to the

14  public as qualified to perform mold-related services.

15         468.841  Exemptions.--

16         (1)  The following persons are not required to comply

17  with any provision of this part relating to mold assessment:

18         (a)  A residential property owner who performs mold

19  assessment on his or her own property.

20         (b)  A person who performs mold assessment on property

21  owned or leased by the person, the person's employer, or an

22  entity affiliated with the person's employer through common

23  ownership, or on property operated or managed by the person's

24  employer or an entity affiliated with the person's employer

25  through common ownership. This exemption does not apply if the

26  person, employer, or affiliated entity engages in the business

27  of performing mold assessment for the public or seeks to

28  conduct assessment of Condition 2 or Condition 3 as defined

29  for indoor environments relative to mold.

30         (c)  An employee of a mold assessor while directly

31  supervised by the mold assessor.

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 1         (d)  Persons or business organizations acting within

 2  the scope of the respective licenses required under chapter

 3  471, part I of chapter 481, chapter 482, or chapter 489, or

 4  acting on behalf of an insurer under part VI of chapter 626,

 5  or persons in the manufactured housing industry who are

 6  licensed under chapter 320, except when any such persons or

 7  business organizations hold themselves out for hire to the

 8  public as a "certified mold assessor," "registered mold

 9  assessor," "licensed mold assessor," "mold assessor,"

10  "professional mold assessor," or any combination thereof

11  stating or implying licensure under this part.

12         (e)  An authorized employee of the United States, this

13  state, or any municipality, county, other political

14  subdivision, or public or private school who is conducting

15  mold assessment within the scope of that employment, as long

16  as the employee does not hold out for hire to the general

17  public or otherwise engage in mold assessment.

18         (2)  The following persons are not required to comply

19  with any provision of this part relating to mold remediation:

20         (a)  A residential property owner who performs mold

21  remediation on his or her own property.

22         (b)  A person who performs mold remediation on property

23  owned or leased by the person, the person's employer, or an

24  entity affiliated with the person's employer through common

25  ownership, or on property operated or managed by the person's

26  employer or an entity affiliated with the person's employer

27  through common ownership. This exemption does not apply if the

28  person, employer, or affiliated entity engages in the business

29  of performing mold remediation for the public or seeks to

30  conduct assessment of Condition 2 or Condition 3 as defined

31  for indoor environments relative to mold.

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 1         (c)  An employee of a mold remediator while directly

 2  supervised by the mold remediator.

 3         (d)  Persons or business organizations that are acting

 4  within the scope of the respective licenses required under

 5  chapter 471, part I of chapter 481, chapter 482, or chapter

 6  489, or acting on behalf of an insurer under part VI of

 7  chapter 626, or persons in the manufactured housing industry

 8  who are licensed under chapter 320, except when any such

 9  persons or business organizations hold themselves out for hire

10  to the public as a "certified mold assessor," "registered mold

11  assessor," "licensed mold assessor," "mold assessor,"

12  "professional mold assessor," or any combination thereof

13  stating or implying licensure under this part.

14         (e)  An authorized employee of the United States, this

15  state, any municipality, county, or other political

16  subdivision, or public or private school and who is conducting

17  mold remediation within the scope of that employment, as long

18  as the employee does not hold out for hire to the general

19  public or otherwise engage in mold remediation.

20         468.8411  Definitions.--As used in this part, the term:

21         (1)  "Department" means the Department of Business and

22  Professional Regulation.

23         (2)  "Mold" means an organism of the class fungi which

24  causes disintegration of organic matter and produces spores,

25  and includes any spores, hyphae, and mycotoxins produced by

26  mold.

27         (3)  "Mold assessment" means a process performed by an

28  indoor environmental professional (IEP) which includes the

29  evaluation of data obtained from a building history and

30  inspection to formulate an initial hypothesis about the

31  origin, identity, location, and extent of amplification of

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 1  mold contamination. If necessary, a sampling plan is developed

 2  and samples are collected and sent to a qualified laboratory

 3  for analysis. The subsequent data is interpreted by the indoor

 4  environmental professional. The indoor environmental

 5  professional or other qualified individual may then develop a

 6  remediation plan.

 7         (4)  For the purposes of this part, the following

 8  conditions are defined in the Standard and Reference Guide for

 9  Professional Mold Remediation by the Institute of Inspection,

10  Cleaning and Restoration Certification for indoor environments

11  relative to mold:

12         (a)  Condition 1 means an indoor environment that may

13  have settled spores, fungal fragments, or traces of actual

14  growth whose identity, location, and quantity are reflective

15  of normal fungal ecology for a similar indoor environment.

16         (b)  Condition 2 means an indoor environment that is

17  primarily contaminated with settled spores that were dispersed

18  directly or indirectly from a Condition 3 area and that may

19  have traces of actual growth.

20         (c)  Condition 3 means an indoor environment that is

21  contaminated with the presence of actual mold growth and

22  associated spores. Actual growth includes growth that is

23  active or dormant, visible or hidden.

24         (5)  "Mold assessor" means any person who performs or

25  directly supervises a mold assessment. A mold assessor may not

26  perform or offer to perform a mold assessment unless the

27  assessor has documented training for water, mold, and

28  respiratory protection training.

29         (6)  "Mold remediation" means the removal, cleaning,

30  sanitizing, demolition, or other treatment, including

31  preventive activities, of mold or mold-contaminated matter

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 1  that was not purposely grown at that location; however, such

 2  removal, cleaning, sanitizing, demolition, or other treatment,

 3  including preventive activities, may not be work that requires

 4  a license under chapter 489 unless it is performed by a person

 5  who is licensed under that chapter or the work complies with

 6  that chapter.

 7         (7)  "Mold remediator" means any person who performs

 8  mold remediation. A mold remediator may not perform any work

 9  that requires a license under chapter 489 unless the mold

10  remediator is also licensed under that chapter or complies

11  with that chapter. A mold remediator may not perform or offer

12  to perform mold remediation unless the remediator has

13  documented training for water, mold, and respiratory

14  protection training.

15         468.8412  Fees.--

16         (1)  The department may establish by rule fees to be

17  paid for application, examination, reexamination, licensing

18  and renewal, application for inactive status and reactivation

19  of an inactive license, and application for providers of

20  continuing education. The department may also establish by

21  rule a delinquency fee. Fees shall be based on department

22  estimates of the revenue required to administer the provisions

23  of this part. All fees shall be remitted with the application,

24  examination, reexamination, licensing and renewal, application

25  for inactive status and reactivation of an inactive license,

26  and application for providers of continuing education.

27         (2)  The application fee may not exceed $125 and is

28  nonrefundable. The examination fee may not exceed $125 plus

29  the actual per-applicant cost to the department to purchase

30  the examination, if the department chooses to purchase the

31  examination. The examination fee shall be in an amount that

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 1  covers the cost of obtaining and administering the examination

 2  and is refunded if the applicant is found ineligible to sit

 3  for the examination.

 4         (3)  The fee for an initial license may not exceed

 5  $200.

 6         (4)  The fee for an initial certificate of

 7  authorization may not exceed $200.

 8         (5)  The fee for a biennial license renewal may not

 9  exceed $400.

10         (6)  The fee for a biennial certificate of

11  authorization renewal may not exceed $400.

12         (7)  The fee for licensure by endorsement may not

13  exceed $200.

14         (8)  The fee for application for inactive status may

15  not exceed $100.

16         (9)  The fee for reactivation of an inactive license

17  may not exceed $200.

18         (10)  The fee for applications from providers of

19  continuing education may not exceed $500.

20         468.8413  Examinations.--

21         (1)  A person desiring to be licensed as a mold

22  assessor or mold remediator shall apply to the department to

23  take a licensure examination.

24         (2)  An applicant is entitled to take the licensure

25  examination to practice in this state as a mold assessor or

26  mold remediator if the applicant is of good moral character

27  and has satisfied one of the following requirements:

28         (a)1.  For a mold remediator, at least a 2-year degree

29  in microbiology, engineering, architecture, industrial

30  hygiene, occupational safety, or a related field of science

31  from an accredited institution and a minimum of 1 year of

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 1  documented field experience in a field related to mold

 2  remediation; or

 3         2.  A high school diploma or the equivalent with a

 4  minimum of 4 years of documented field experience in a field

 5  related to mold remediation.

 6         (b)1.  For a mold assessor, at least a 2-year degree in

 7  microbiology, engineering, architecture, industrial hygiene,

 8  occupational safety, or a related field of science from an

 9  accredited institution and a minimum of 1 year of documented

10  field experience in conducting microbial sampling or

11  investigations; or

12         2.  A high school diploma or the equivalent with a

13  minimum of 4 years of documented field experience in

14  conducting microbial sampling or investigations.

15         (3)  The department shall review and approve courses of

16  study in mold assessment and mold remediation.

17         (4)(a)  Good moral character means a personal history

18  of honesty, fairness, and respect for the rights of others and

19  for the laws of this state and nation.

20         (b)  The department may refuse to certify an applicant

21  for failure to satisfy this requirement only if:

22         1.  There is a substantial connection between the lack

23  of good moral character of the applicant and the professional

24  responsibilities of a licensed mold assessor or mold

25  remediator; and

26         2.  The finding by the department of lack of good moral

27  character is supported by clear and convincing evidence.

28         (c)  If an applicant is found to be unqualified for a

29  license because of a lack of good moral character, the

30  department shall furnish to the applicant a statement

31  containing the findings of the department, a complete record

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 1  of the evidence upon which the determination was based, and a

 2  notice of the rights of the applicant to a rehearing and

 3  appeal.

 4         (5)  The department may adopt rules pursuant to ss.

 5  120.536(1) and 120.54 to administer the provisions of this

 6  section.

 7         468.8414  Licensure.--

 8         (1)  The department shall license any applicant who the

 9  department certifies is qualified to practice mold assessment

10  or mold remediation.

11         (2)  The department shall certify for licensure any

12  applicant who satisfies the requirements of s. 468.8413 and

13  who has passed the licensing examination. The department may

14  refuse to certify any applicant who has violated any of the

15  provisions of this part.

16         (3)  The department shall certify as qualified for a

17  license by endorsement an applicant who is of good moral

18  character and:

19         (a)  Is qualified to take the examination as set forth

20  in s. 468.8413 and has passed a certification examination

21  offered by a nationally recognized organization that certifies

22  persons in the specialty of mold assessment or mold

23  remediation which has been approved by the department as

24  substantially equivalent to the requirements of this part and

25  s. 455.217; or

26         (b)  Holds a valid license to practice mold assessment

27  or mold remediation issued by another state or territory of

28  the United States if the criteria for issuance of the license

29  were substantially the same as the licensure criteria that are

30  established by this part as determined by the department.

31  

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 1         (4)  The department may not issue a license by

 2  endorsement to any applicant who is under investigation in

 3  another state for any act that would constitute a violation of

 4  this part or chapter 455 until such time as the investigation

 5  is complete and disciplinary proceedings have been terminated.

 6         468.8415  Renewal of license.--

 7         (1)  The department shall renew a license upon receipt

 8  of the renewal application and fee and upon certification by

 9  the department that the licensee has satisfactorily completed

10  the continuing education requirements of s. 468.8416.

11         (2)  The department shall adopt rules establishing a

12  procedure for the biennial renewal of licenses.

13         468.8416  Continuing education.--

14         (1)  The department may not renew a license until the

15  licensee submits proof satisfactory to it that during the 2

16  years prior to his or her application for renewal the licensee

17  has completed at least 14 hours of continuing education.

18  Criteria and course content shall be approved by the

19  department by rule.

20         (2)  The department may prescribe by rule additional

21  continuing professional education hours, not to exceed 25

22  percent of the total hours required, for failure to complete

23  the hours required for renewal by the end of the renewal

24  period.

25         468.8417  Inactive license.--

26         (1)  A licensee may request that his or her license be

27  placed in an inactive status by making application to the

28  department.

29         (2)  A license that has become inactive may be

30  reactivated upon application to the department. The department

31  may prescribe by rule continuing education requirements as a

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 1  condition of reactivating a license. The continuing education

 2  requirements for reactivating a license may not exceed 14

 3  hours for each year that the license was inactive.

 4         (3)  The department shall adopt rules relating to

 5  licenses that have become inactive and for the renewal of

 6  inactive licenses. The department shall prescribe by rule a

 7  fee not to exceed $50 for the reactivation of an inactive

 8  license and a fee not to exceed $50 for the renewal of an

 9  inactive license.

10         468.8418  Certification of partnerships and

11  corporations.--

12         (1)  The department shall issue a certificate of

13  authorization to a corporation or partnership offering mold

14  assessment or mold remediation services to the public if the

15  corporation or partnership satisfies all of the requirements

16  of this part.

17         (2)  The practice of or the offer to practice mold

18  assessment or mold remediation by licensees through a

19  corporation or partnership offering mold assessment or mold

20  remediation to the public, or by a corporation or partnership

21  offering such services to the public through licensees under

22  this part as agents, employees, officers, or partners, is

23  permitted subject to the provisions of this part if all

24  personnel of the corporation or partnership who act on its

25  behalf as mold assessors or mold remediators in this state are

26  licensed as provided by this part, and if the corporation or

27  partnership has been issued a certificate of authorization by

28  the department as provided in this section. This section does

29  not authorize a corporation to hold a license to practice mold

30  assessment or mold remediation. A corporation or partnership

31  is not relieved of responsibility for the conduct or acts of

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 1  its agents, employees, or officers by reason of its compliance

 2  with this section, and an individual practicing mold

 3  assessment or mold remediation is not relieved of

 4  responsibility for professional services performed by reason

 5  of his or her employment or relationship with a corporation or

 6  partnership.

 7         (3)  For purposes of this section, a certificate of

 8  authorization is required in order for a corporation,

 9  partnership, association, or person practicing under a

10  fictitious name to offer mold assessment or mold remediation;

11  however, if an individual is practicing mold assessment or

12  mold remediation under his or her own given name, he or she is

13  not required to register under this section.

14         (4)  The fact that a licensed mold assessor or mold

15  remediator practices through a corporation or partnership does

16  not relieve the licensee from personal liability for

17  negligence, misconduct, or wrongful acts committed by him or

18  her. Partnerships and all partners are jointly and severally

19  liable for the negligence, misconduct, or wrongful acts

20  committed by their agents, employees, or partners while acting

21  in a professional capacity. Any officer, agent, or employee of

22  a business organization other than a partnership is personally

23  liable and accountable only for negligent acts, wrongful acts,

24  or misconduct committed by him or her or committed by any

25  person under his or her direct supervision and control while

26  rendering professional services on behalf of the business

27  organization. The personal liability of a shareholder or owner

28  of a business organization, in his or her capacity as

29  shareholder or owner, is no greater than that of a

30  shareholder-employee of a corporation incorporated under

31  chapter 607. The business organization is liable up to the

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 1  full value of its property for any negligent acts, wrongful

 2  acts, or misconduct committed by any of its officers, agents,

 3  or employees while they are engaged on its behalf in the

 4  rendering of professional services.

 5         (5)  Each certificate of authorization shall be renewed

 6  every 2 years. Each partnership and corporation certified

 7  under this section shall notify the department within 1 month

 8  following any change in the information contained in the

 9  application upon which the certification is based.

10         (6)  Disciplinary action against a corporation or

11  partnership shall be administered in the same manner and on

12  the same grounds as disciplinary action against a licensed

13  mold assessor or mold remediator.

14         468.8419  Scope of licensure.--Notwithstanding any

15  other provision of this part, a mold assessor or mold

16  remediator licensed under this part may perform or offer to

17  perform both mold assessment and mold remediation to a

18  structure at the same time if the area upon which the mold

19  assessment and mold remediation is to be performed is

20  Condition 1 mold as defined in s. 468.8411(4)(a).

21         468.842  Prohibitions; penalties.--

22         (1)  A mold assessor, a company that employs a mold

23  assessor, or a company that is controlled by a company that

24  also has a financial interest in a company employing a mold

25  assessor may not:

26         (a)  Perform or offer to perform any mold assessment

27  unless the person has complied with the provisions of this

28  part.

29         (b)  Use the name or title "certified mold assessor,"

30  "registered mold assessor," "licensed mold assessor," "mold

31  assessor," "professional mold assessor," or any combination

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 1  thereof unless the person has complied with the provisions

 2  this part.

 3         (c)  Perform or offer to perform any mold remediation

 4  to a structure on which the mold assessor or the mold

 5  assessor's company provided a mold assessment within the last

 6  12 months.

 7         (d)  Inspect for a fee any property in which the

 8  assessor or the assessor's company has any financial or

 9  transfer interest.

10         (e)  Accept any compensation, inducement, or reward

11  from a mold remediator or mold remediator's company for the

12  referral of any business to the mold remediator or the mold

13  remediator's company.

14         (f)  Offer any compensation, inducement, or reward to a

15  mold remediator or mold remediator's company for the referral

16  of any business from the mold remediator or the mold

17  remediator's company.

18         (g)  Accept an engagement to make an omission of the

19  assessment or conduct an assessment in which the assessment

20  itself, or the fee payable for the assessment, is contingent

21  upon the conclusions of the assessment.

22         (2)  A mold remediator, a company that employs a mold

23  remediator, or a company that is controlled by a company that

24  also has a financial interest in a company employing a mold

25  remediator may not:

26         (a)  Perform or offer to perform any mold remediation

27  unless the person has complied with the provisions of this

28  part.

29         (b)  Use the name or title "certified mold remediator,"

30  "registered mold remediator," "licensed mold remediator,"

31  "mold remediator," "professional mold remediator," or any

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 1  combination thereof unless the person has complied with the

 2  provisions of this part.

 3         (c)  Perform or offer to perform any mold assessment of

 4  a structure on which the mold remediator or the mold

 5  remediator's company provided a mold remediation within the

 6  last 12 months.

 7         (d)  Remediate for a fee any property in which the mold

 8  remediator or the mold remediator's company has any financial

 9  or transfer interest.

10         (e)  Accept any compensation, inducement, or reward

11  from a mold assessor or mold assessor's company for the

12  referral of any business from the mold assessor or the mold

13  assessor's company.

14         (f)  Offer any compensation, inducement, or reward to a

15  mold assessor or mold assessor's company for the referral of

16  any business from the mold assessor or the mold assessor's

17  company.

18         (3)  Any person who violates any provision of this

19  section commits:

20         (a)  A misdemeanor of the second degree for a first

21  violation, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

22         (b)  A misdemeanor of the first degree for a second

23  violation, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

24         (c)  A felony of the third degree for a third or

25  subsequent violation, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s.

26  775.083, or s. 775.084.

27         468.8421  Disciplinary proceedings.--

28         (1)  The following acts constitute grounds for which

29  the disciplinary actions in subsection (2) may be taken:

30         (a)  Violation of any provision of this part or s.

31  455.227(1);

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 1         (b)  Attempting to procure a license to practice mold

 2  assessment or mold remediation by bribery or fraudulent

 3  misrepresentation;

 4         (c)  Having a license to practice mold assessment or

 5  mold remediation revoked, suspended, or otherwise acted

 6  against, including the denial of licensure, by the licensing

 7  authority of another state, territory, or country;

 8         (d)  Being convicted or found guilty of, or entering a

 9  plea of nolo contendere to, regardless of adjudication, a

10  crime in any jurisdiction which directly relates to the

11  practice of mold assessment or mold remediation or the ability

12  to practice mold assessment or mold remediation;

13         (e)  Making or filing a report or record that the

14  licensee knows to be false, willfully failing to file a report

15  or record required by state or federal law, willfully impeding

16  or obstructing such filing, or inducing another person to

17  impede or obstruct such filing. Such reports or records

18  include only those that are signed in the capacity of a

19  registered mold assessor or mold remediator;

20         (f)  Advertising goods or services in a manner that is

21  fraudulent, false, deceptive, or misleading in form or

22  content;

23         (g)  Engaging in fraud or deceit, negligence,

24  incompetency, or misconduct in the practice of mold assessment

25  or mold remediation;

26         (h)  Failing to perform any statutory or legal

27  obligation placed upon a licensed mold assessor or mold

28  remediator; violating any provision of this chapter, a rule of

29  the department, or a lawful order of the department previously

30  entered in a disciplinary hearing; or failing to comply with a

31  lawfully issued subpoena of the department; or

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 1         (i)  Practicing on a revoked, suspended, inactive, or

 2  delinquent license.

 3         (2)  When the department finds any mold assessor or

 4  mold remediator guilty of any of the grounds set forth in

 5  subsection (1), it may enter an order imposing one or more of

 6  the following penalties:

 7         (a)  Denial of an application for licensure.

 8         (b)  Revocation or suspension of a license.

 9         (c)  Imposition of an administrative fine not to exceed

10  $1,000 for each count or separate offense.

11         (d)  Issuance of a reprimand.

12         (e)  Placement of the mold assessor or mold remediator

13  on probation for a period of time and subject to such

14  conditions as the department may specify.

15         (f)  Restriction of the authorized scope of practice by

16  the mold assessor or mold remediator.

17         (3)  The department shall reissue the license of a

18  disciplined mold assessor or mold remediator upon

19  certification that he or she has complied with all of the

20  terms and conditions set forth in the final order.

21         468.8422  Insurance.--

22         (1)  A mold assessor shall maintain general liability

23  and errors and omissions insurance coverage in an amount of

24  not less than $1 million.

25         (2)  A mold remediator shall maintain a general

26  liability insurance policy in an amount of not less than $1

27  million which includes specific coverage for mold-related

28  claims.

29         468.8423  Contracts.--A contract to perform mold

30  assessment or mold remediation must be in a document or

31  electronic record, signed or otherwise authenticated by the

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 1  parties. A mold assessment contract is not required to provide

 2  estimates related to the cost of repair of an assessed

 3  property. A mold assessment contract is not required to

 4  provide estimates.

 5         468.8424  Grandfather clause.--A person who performs

 6  mold assessment or mold remediation as defined in this part

 7  may qualify to be licensed by the department as a mold

 8  assessor or mold remediator if the person meets the licensure

 9  requirements of this part by July 1, 2008.

10         Section 3.  Part XVII of chapter 468, Florida Statutes,

11  consisting of sections 468.85, 468.851, 468.852, 468.853,

12  468.854, and 468.855, is created to read:

13         468.85  Definitions.--As used in this part, the term:

14         (1)  "Department" means the Department of Business and

15  Professional Regulation.

16         (2)  "Property" means any residential or commercial

17  real property that is a single-family dwelling, duplex,

18  triplex, quadruplex, condominium unit, or cooperative unit.

19  The term does not include the common areas of condominiums or

20  cooperatives.

21         (3)  "Wind-mitigation assessor" means any person who

22  for a fee or other compensation has been specially trained and

23  licensed to render wind-mitigation assessments under this

24  part.

25         (4)  "Wind-mitigation assessment" means a limited

26  visual examination of the structure, roof covering, exterior

27  components, and site conditions that affect the ability of the

28  property to withstand the effects of gale-force winds for the

29  purposes of providing a written professional opinion regarding

30  any measures that may reasonably be taken by the owner to

31  limit the damage such winds may cause to the property.

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 1         468.851  Licensure.--

 2         (1)  The department shall license any applicant who the

 3  department certifies is qualified to practice wind-mitigation

 4  assessment.

 5         (2)  The department shall certify for licensure any

 6  person who satisfies the following requirements:

 7         (a)  Completion of classroom instruction in products,

 8  designs, and construction techniques to improve the structural

 9  soundness of a property. The classroom criteria and required

10  number of hours shall be approved by the Department of

11  Financial Services;

12         (b)  Satisfactory completion of a background screening,

13  using the level 2 standards set forth in chapter 435;

14         (c)  Satisfactory completion of a drug-screening test;

15  and

16         (d)  Satisfactory results from a fingerprint-based

17  criminal history check.

18         (3)  A business entity may not provide or offer to

19  provide wind-mitigation assessments or use the title

20  "wind-mitigation assessments" to describe the business

21  entity's services unless each of the wind-mitigation assessors

22  employed by the business entity is licensed under this part.

23         468.852  Exemptions.--A person is not required to

24  comply with this part when acting within his or her authorized

25  scope of practice except when such person holds himself or

26  herself out for hire to the public as a "wind-mitigation

27  assessor" or any similar term stating or implying licensure

28  under this part if he or she is one or more of the following:

29         (1)  A contractor licensed under chapter 489.

30         (2)  An architect licensed under chapter 481.

31         (3)  An engineer licensed under chapter 471.

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    Florida Senate - 2007                                  SB 2234
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 1         (4)  A building code administrator, plans examiner, or

 2  building code inspector licensed under part XII of this

 3  chapter.

 4         (5)  A certified real estate appraiser, licensed real

 5  estate appraiser, or registered real estate appraiser licensed

 6  under part XII of chapter 468.

 7         468.853  Prohibited acts; penalties.--

 8         (1)  A wind-mitigation assessor or a company that

 9  employs a wind-mitigation assessor may not:

10         (a)  Perform or offer to perform for a fee any

11  mitigation to a home for which the specialist or the

12  specialist's company has rendered a wind-mitigation

13  assessment.

14         (b)  Inspect for a fee any property in which the

15  specialist or the specialist's company has any financial or

16  transfer interest.

17         (2)  Any person who is found to be in violation of any

18  provision of this section commits a misdemeanor of the first

19  degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

20         468.854  Insurance.--A wind-mitigation assessor shall

21  maintain a commercial general liability insurance policy in an

22  amount of not less than $300,000.

23         468.855  Mitigation cost estimates.--Wind-mitigation

24  assessors are not required to provide estimates related to the

25  cost of mitigation of an inspected property, except as

26  provided in s. 215.5586.

27         Section 4.  This act shall take effect July 1, 2007.

28  

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    Florida Senate - 2007                                  SB 2234
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 1            *****************************************

 2                          SENATE SUMMARY

 3    Provides for the regulation of home inspectors, mold
      assessors, mold remediators, and wind-mitigation
 4    assessors by the Department of Business and Professional
      Regulation. Exempts certain professionals from the
 5    requirement of licensure. Provides for fees and licensure
      examinations. Requires continuing education in order to
 6    maintain licensure. Authorizes the department to adopt
      rules and impose penalties. (See bill for details.)
 7  

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