Bills › 90th General Assembly
Relating to an indoor mold information and public awareness program
Topics:State governmentHealth care
Same legislation: HF 2399
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedJanuary 17, 2024
- Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 18, 2024
- Done: House committeeFebruary 6, 2024
- Skipped: Passes the HouseContinued as HF 2399
- Next: Senate committee
- Next: Passes the Senate
- Next: To the Governor
- Next: Signed into law
Became HF 2399 → Its progress continues under the new number. Go to HF 2399 What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
AI summary The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services will start a program to teach people about the dangers of indoor mold and how to fix it. This program includes researching how mold affects health and looking for new ways to identify and remove it. The state will also run a public campaign to help people understand how to stay safe in damp or water-damaged buildings.1
Read the official explanation
This bill relates to an indoor mold public information and awareness program. The bill defines “indoor mold” for the purposes of the bill to include any form of multi-cellular fungi found in damp or water-damaged indoor environments and building materials. The bill requires the department of health and human services (HHS) to establish an indoor mold public information and awareness program to assist the public in understanding the threat of indoor mold in indoor environments and the importance of the proper removal of indoor mold. As part of the program, the department shall: beginning July 1, 2024, review the adverse effects to humans from exposure to indoor mold in damp and water-damaged indoor environments by consulting with medical research institutions and organizations with expertise in the adverse effects of such exposure, and submit a report including findings and recommendations to the general assembly by June 30, 2025; every five years, beginning July 1, 2025, review technology or treatment techniques for indoor mold identification and remediation that provide additional protections to public health and safety, and submit a report to the general assembly following completion of each review; and establish a public information and awareness campaign on the dangers of indoor mold and damp or water-damaged indoor environments to educate the public on the health effects of indoor mold, the methods of identifying and remediating indoor mold, and providing contact information for sources to assist the public with concerns regarding indoor mold. The bill directs HHS to adopt administrative rules to administer the bill.
House subcommittee
Named January 18, 2024. On January 23, 2024 it recommended passage. Vote Total: 3-0.
Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part
8 written public comments to its subcommittee: January 23, 2024 (8) · on the Legislature’s site
Fiscal note
AI summary This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to create a program that researches the health effects of indoor mold and runs a public awareness campaign. The program is estimated to cost the Department of Health and Human Services $297,000 in fiscal year 2025 and $296,000 in fiscal year 2026.3
Read the fiscal note
Description
House File 2399 requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish an Indoor Mold Public Information and Awareness Program to assist the public in understanding the threat of mold in indoor environments and the importance of the proper removal of indoor mold. As part of the Program, the HHS is required to:
- Beginning July 1, 2024, review the adverse effects to humans from exposure to indoor mold in damp and water-damaged indoor environments by consulting with medical research institutions and organizations with expertise in the adverse effects of such exposure and submit a report including findings and recommendations to the General Assembly by June 30, 2025.
- Every five years, beginning July 1, 2025, review technology or treatment techniques for indoor mold identification and remediation that provide additional protections to public health and safety and submit a report to the General Assembly following completion of each review.
- Establish a public information and awareness campaign on the dangers of indoor mold and damp or water-damaged indoor environments to educate the public on the health effects of indoor mold and the methods of identifying and remediating indoor mold, and provide contact information for sources to assist the public with concerns regarding indoor mold.
- Adopt administrative rules for the Program.
Assumptions
- According to the Department of Management, the starting salary and benefits for an environmental engineer is approximately $79,000 and for a community health consultant is approximately $77,000.
- The HHS anticipates that candidates with indoor air quality expertise will need to be hired above the base pay level. As a result, the initial cost is estimated to be approximately $95,000 for an environmental engineer and approximately $92,000 for a community health consultant. The HHS also estimates that FTE costs may increase approximately 5.0% per year for each position.
- One-time, support costs (phone, equipment, etc.) for a new FTE position are approximately $5,000.
- The HHS will need to leverage existing epidemiological and clinical staff for the five-year review of new scientific evidence.
- The cost of the public awareness campaign is based on the cost of other campaigns coordinated by the HHS.
Fiscal Impact
House File 2399 is estimated to cost the HHS $297,000 in FY 2025 and $296,000 in FY 2026, as shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1 — Cost Per Year Under HF 2399
Sources
- Department of Health and Human Services
- Department of Management
- Indoor Mold Public Awareness Campaign · February 19, 2024 · $297,000
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90th General Assembly