Enact the Healthy Homes Program Act

hb841_00_IN

As Introduced

136th
General Assembly

Regular
Session
H. B. No. 841

2025-2026

Representatives Miller, J., Salvo

Cosponsors: Representatives Lett,
Piccolantonio, Synenberg

To
enact section 3701.68 of the Revised Code
to
require the Director of Health to establish an information and
awareness program for mold, lead, radon, and carbon monoxide and to
name this act the Healthy Homes Program Act.

BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:

Section
1.
That

section
3701.68

of the Revised Code be enacted to read as follows:

Sec.
3701.68.
(A)
As used in this section, "mold" means any form of
multi-cellular fungi in indoor environments, including Cladosporium,
penicillium, alternaria, aspergillus, fusarium, Trichoderma,
Chaetomium, memnoniella, mucor, and stachybotrys chartarum, that are
often found in water-damaged indoor environments and building
materials.

(B)
The director of health shall establish a mold, lead, radon, and
carbon monoxide information and awareness program to assist the
public in understanding the threat of mold, lead, radon, and carbon
monoxide in buildings and the importance of the proper remediation of
that mold, lead, radon, and carbon monoxide. As part of the program,
the director shall do both of the following:

(1)
Every five years, review technology or treatment techniques for mold,
lead, radon, and carbon monoxide identification and remediation that
provide additional protections to public health and safety. As part
of the review for mold, the director shall consider mold remediation
treatment techniques established by the institute of inspection
cleaning and restoration certification and approved by the American
national standards institute (ANSI) in the S520 standard for
professional mold remediation, or its successor publication. The
review shall be performed in accordance with rules adopted under this
section and include an examination of any new scientific evidence
that indicates that mold, lead, radon, and carbon monoxide may
present a greater health risk to the public than previously
determined.

(2)
Establish a public awareness campaign on the dangers of mold, lead,
radon, and carbon monoxide in accordance with rules adopted under
this section. As part of the campaign, the director shall disseminate
information via digital brochures and the department of health's web
site.

(C)
The director shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the
Revised Code establishing both of the following:

(1)
Requirements and procedures for the review required under division
(B)(1) of this section;

(2)
Requirements and procedures for the public awareness campaign
established under division (B)(2) of this section. The rules shall
ensure that the campaign educates the public on the health effects of
mold, lead, radon, and carbon monoxide; methods of identification and
remediation of mold, lead, radon, and carbon monoxide; and contact
information for organizations or government agencies that can assist
the public with their concerns.

Section
2.
(A)
As used in this section, "mold" has the same meaning as in
section 3720.01 of the Revised Code.

(B)
The Department of Health shall study any adverse effects to humans
from exposure to mold in damp and water-damaged buildings. The
Department shall consult with scientific research institutions and
organizations with expertise on the adverse health effects from
exposure to mold.

(C)
Not later than one year after the effective date of this section, the
Department shall submit its findings to the General Assembly.

Section
3.
This
act shall be known as the Healthy Homes Program Act.