HB 2195: Virginia Consumer Protection Act; mold remediation and inspections, report. - Virginia

General Laws Substitute → Chaptered · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill was formally enacted into law as Chapter 251 of the 2025 Virginia Acts of Assembly. The substantive content of HB 2195 remains largely unchanged, but the bill added a new provision (subsection 83) requiring compliance with Chapter 23.2 (§ 59.1-293.10 et seq.), which relates to the Virginia Consumer Protection Act's provisions on debt collection practices. The bill also added a new requirement for mold remediation services to hold certification from the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) and comply with EPA and ANSI standards.

Scope change

The bill's scope was slightly expanded by adding a new prohibited practice related to debt collection compliance and strengthening mold remediation requirements through certification mandates.

REQUIREMENT

Added new subsection 83 requiring suppliers to comply with Chapter 23.2 (§ 59.1-293.10 et seq.) of the Virginia Consumer Protection Act, which governs debt collection practices.

Added new subsection 81 requiring professional mold remediators to hold IICRC certification and comply with EPA and ANSI mold remediation standards when working on residential dwellings.

TECHNICAL

Changed the bill format from a House Substitute to a Chaptered Act, adding approval date (March 21, 2025) and official chapter designation (Chapter 251).

TIMELINE

Added a requirement for the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation to study the mold inspection and remediation workforce and submit a report by January 1, 2026.

General Laws Subcommittee Substitute → General Laws Substitute · 2 edits

MINOR

The bill text was reformatted with significant changes to spacing and line breaks, but the substantive policy content remains identical. The only meaningful change is the addition of a specific date (January 30, 2025) for when the House Committee proposed the amendment, replacing a blank line. All legislative provisions, including the 82 prohibited practices and the mold remediation study requirement, remain unchanged in substance.

TECHNICAL

The document underwent extensive reformatting with altered spacing, line breaks, and header positioning, but no substantive policy language was added, removed, or modified.

A specific date (January 30, 2025) was added to indicate when the House Committee on General Laws proposed the amendment, replacing a previously blank line.

HGL Sub: Professions/Occupations and Administrative Process Substitute → General Laws Subcommittee Substitute · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to change its focus from regulating mold inspectors/remediators in Title 54.1 to amending the Virginia Consumer Protection Act (Title 59.1) regarding mold remediation services. The new version removes the establishment of a new board and certification requirements for mold inspectors/remediators, instead adding a prohibition against selling mold remediation services without IICRC certification. The effective date was also updated from January 23, 2025 to January 30, 2025.

Scope change

The bill's scope shifted from creating new regulatory oversight for mold inspection and remediation professions to adding consumer protection provisions within the existing Virginia Consumer Protection Act framework.

SCOPE

Removed provisions establishing a new Virginia Board for Asbestos, Lead, Mold, and Home Inspectors and its membership requirements

Removed new certification requirements and examination provisions for mold inspectors and mold remediators in Title 54.1

REQUIREMENT

Added prohibition requiring mold remediation services on residential dwellings to be performed by individuals holding IICRC mold remediation certification

TIMELINE

Updated bill date from January 23, 2025 to January 30, 2025 and changed effective date from July 1, 2025 to immediate effect upon passage

DEFINITION

Removed extensive definitions for asbestos, lead, and mold inspection/remediation that were previously included in Title 54.1

Enrolled → HGL Sub: Professions/Occupations and Administrative Process Substitute · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was converted from an enrolled act into a House substitute amendment, changing its status from final law to a proposed version under consideration. The substantive content regarding mold remediation regulations and consumer protection provisions remains largely unchanged, though the document now includes additional definitions for mold inspectors and remediators in a new article within the Code of Virginia.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on consumer protection and mold remediation standards, but the procedural status changed from enacted law to a substitute bill pending further legislative action.

TIMELINE

The bill's status changed from 'Enrolled' (final approved legislation) to 'Substitute' (proposed version under consideration), indicating it is no longer in its final form.

DEFINITION

New definitions were added for 'Certified mold inspector' and 'Certified mold remediator' establishing criteria for education, experience, and testing requirements.

REQUIREMENT

New article 4 was added to Chapter 5 of Title 54.1 creating sections 54.1-517.6 through 54.1-517.8 to regulate mold inspection and remediation professionals.

TECHNICAL

Formatting and header information were updated to reflect the bill's transition from enrolled act to House substitute amendment.

Introduced → Enrolled · 6 edits · Mar 21, 2025

MODERATE

This bill adds a new requirement for mold remediation services in Virginia. Starting July 1, 2025, anyone offering mold remediation services to residential dwellings must hold a mold remediation certification from the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). This change was made to ensure consistent, professional standards for mold remediation work across the state.

Scope change

The bill expands regulatory oversight to include mold remediation services, which previously were not covered under the Virginia Consumer Protection Act's prohibited practices section.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new prohibition (subsection 81) requiring mold remediation services on residential dwellings to be performed by individuals holding IICRC mold remediation certification.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for mold, mold inspection, mold inspector, mold remediation, and mold remediator to establish regulatory standards.

ENFORCEMENT

Added the Virginia Board for Asbestos, Lead, Mold, and Home Inspectors to the list of regulatory boards with authority to license and regulate mold inspectors and remediators.

ELIGIBILITY

Modified the Board composition to include one member who is a licensed mold inspector or mold remediator with at least three years of experience, effective after initial appointments.

TIMELINE

Added emergency provisions making the new requirements effective immediately upon passage, with regulations to be promulgated within 280 days.

EXEMPTIONS

Added exemptions from licensure requirements for small-scale mold work (under 10 square feet), owner-occupied properties with four or fewer units, and tenant self-remediation.

Virginia Consumer Protection Act; mold remediation and inspections, report.

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