DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 665 Original 2020 Regular Session Cormier
Abstract: Reestablishes the Louisiana Toxic Mold Task Force.
Proposed law provides a legislative declaration that it is in the best interest of the public health,
welfare, and safety to establish a task force to lead development of comprehensive policies and
promote best practices concerning mitigation and remediation of toxic mold and reducing the
adverse health effects caused by this unique threat to public health. Establishes the Louisiana Toxic
Mold Task Force, comprised of the following sixteen members:
(1)One pediatric environmental health specialist appointed by the secretary of the La.
Department of Health (LDH).
(2)One person with expertise in toxicology appointed by the secretary of LDH.
(3)The assistant secretary of the office of public health of LDH or his designee.
(4)The chancellor of the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at New Orleans or
his designee.
(5)The chancellor of the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport or his
designee.
(6)The dean of the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine of Tulane University.
(7)One member appointed by the La. State Medical Society.
(8)One member appointed by the La. Primary Care Association.
(9)One member with expertise in consumer protection appointed by the La. attorney general.
(10)One member appointed by the Southern University Law Center.
(11)One member appointed by the Paul M. Hebert Law Center of Louisiana State University.
(12)One member with expertise in toxic mold remediation appointed by the La. State Licensing
Board for Contractors. (13)One member appointed by the La. Housing Corporation.
(14)One member appointed by the La. Realtors Association.
(15)One member appointed by the La. Home Builders Association.
(16)One member appointed by the Apartment Association of La.
Proposed law provides that on or before Jan. 1, 2021, and annually thereafter, the task force shall
prepare and submit to the governor and the legislature a report on the status of public health risks
from toxic mold in La. Requires that the report include the following:
(1)An assessment, based on scientific evidence, of the nature, scope, and magnitude of the
adverse environmental and health impacts caused by toxic mold in La.
(2)Measurement, based on scientific evidence, of the adverse health effects of exposure to
molds on the general population, including specific effects on any subgroups identifiable as
being at greater risk of adverse health effects when exposed to molds.
(3)Identification of actions taken by the state, local governments, and any other public or private
organizations that have made a positive impact on mitigating the harm to public health of
toxic mold.
(4)Identification of best practices for the control of mold in a cost-effective and environmentally
sound manner.
Proposed law provides that the task force shall terminate on Jan. 1, 2024.
(Amends R.S. 40:1289.1-1289.5; Adds R.S. 36:259(B)(37))