H.B. No. 1328




AN ACT
relating to certificates of mold remediation. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 3, Article 21.21-11, Insurance Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 3. PROHIBITION. An insurer may not make an underwriting decision regarding a residential property insurance policy based on previous mold damage or a claim for mold damage if: (1) the applicant for insurance coverage has property eligible for coverage under a residential property policy; (2) the property has had mold damage; (3) mold remediation has been performed on the property; and (4) the property was: (A) remediated, as evidenced by a certificate of mold remediation issued to the property owner under Section 1958.154, Occupations Code, that establishes with reasonable certainty that the underlying cause of the mold at the property has been remediated; or (B) inspected by an independent assessor or adjustor who determined, based on the inspection, that the property does not contain evidence of mold damage. SECTION 2. Section 1958.154(b), Occupations Code, is amended to read as follows: (b) If a property owner sells property, the property owner shall provide to the buyer a copy of each certificate [that has been] issued for the property under this section during the five years preceding the date the property owner sells the property. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2005. ______________________________ ______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I certify that H.B. No. 1328 was passed by the House on April 6, 2005, by the following vote: Yeas 146, Nays 0, 1 present, not voting. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House I certify that H.B. No. 1328 was passed by the Senate on May 10, 2005, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. ______________________________ Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: _____________________ Date _____________________ Governor