The
New Jersey legislature is considering a bill that would establish a
certification program for mold inspectors and mold hazard abatement workers.
The bill also requires procedures for inspection and abatement of mold hazards
in residential buildings and school facilities.
The
New Jersey Senate Environment Committee approved the bill July 21. “We have
people who represent themselves as experts – there’s no training, there’s not
certification, there’s not standards,” Sen. Bob Smith, chairman of the panel,
said during the committee meeting.
The
proposal is now awaiting action by the full Senate, and would then be
considered by the state Assembly before being sent to Gov. Chris Christie, who
has not said whether he would sign or veto it.
If
the bill passes, mold technicians would have to obtain the necessary
certification within three to six months.
The
state’s Department of Community Affairs (DCA) would be directed to “establish
procedures for the inspection, identification, and evaluation of the interior
of residential buildings and school facilities for mold based upon, but not
limited to, industry standards and standards and guidelines developed by the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.”
The
bill authorizes the DCA to charge an annual fee for the certification of mold
inspectors and require the successful completion of a course of continuing
education or training for certified inspectors or abatement workers at least
once every two years.
New
Jersey is the second northeastern state considering new rules about mold. The
New York legislature has approved a bill that would require the licensure of
mold inspection, assessment and remediation specialists. That bill is still
awaiting action by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
The
full text of the New Jersey bill can be found here.
Source: Indoor
Environment Connections
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