Section 1384. New York state toxic mold task force

1. The New York state
  toxic mold task force is hereby established. The task force shall:
    (a) assess, based  on  scientific  evidence,  the  nature,  scope  and
  magnitude  of  the  adverse  environmental  and health impacts caused by
  toxic mold in the state;
    (b) measure, based on scientific evidence, the adverse health  effects
  of  exposure  to  molds  on  the  general population, including specific
  effects on subgroups identifiable as being at greater  risk  of  adverse
  health effects when exposed to molds;
    (c)  identify actions taken by state, and local governments, and other
  entities;
    (d) assess the latest scientific data on exposure limits  to  mold  in
  indoor environments;
    (e)  determine methods for the control of mold in a cost-effective and
  environmentally sound manner and identify measures to mitigate mold; and
    (f) prepare a report to the governor and the legislature that assesses
  the current body of knowledge on toxic  mold,  provides  the  status  of
  toxic  mold  in  the  state, and assesses the feasibility of any further
  actions to be taken by the legislature or state agencies as  recommended
  by the task force.
    2.  For  purpose of this title, the term "mold" shall mean any form of
  multicellular fungi that live on plant or animal matter  and  in  indoor
  environments.  Types  of  mold  shall  include,  but  not be limited to,
  cladosporium, alternaria, aspergillus, trichoderma, memnoniella,  mucor,
  and  stachybotrys  chartarum,  often  found  in  water  damaged building
  materials.
    3. The task force shall issue its findings, in the form of  a  report,
  no later than November thirtieth, two thousand six.
    4.  The  task  force  shall consist of a total of fourteen members and
  shall include the commissioner and  the  secretary  of  state  or  their
  designees.  The commissioner and the secretary of state shall select the
  task  force's  twelve  at-large members from each of the following: SUNY
  college  of  environmental  science  and  forestry,  New   York   Indoor
  Environmental  Quality  Center, Inc., New York city department of health
  and mental hygiene, NY STAR Center for  Environmental  Quality  Systems,
  public  health  officer,  environmental health officer, certified public
  health engineer, pediatric environmental  health  specialist,  a  person
  with an expertise in toxicology, a person with an expertise in mycology,
  a person with expertise in mold abatement from a labor organization that
  represents workers performing mold abatement and a person with expertise
  in  real  estate  management,  including  building repair, renovation or
  rehabilitation of multi-family and single family residences.
    5. The commissioner and the secretary  of  state  or  their  designees
  shall serve as joint chairs of the task force.
    6.  The  task  force  may  consult  with any organization, educational
  institution, governmental agency, or person including, but  not  limited
  to,  the  United  States  department  of  health and human services, the
  United States environmental  protection  agency,  and  the  occupational
  safety and health administration.
    7.  The commissioner and the secretary of state may reconvene the task
  force, with the same or different members, after issuance of the report,
  to address any toxic mold issues.
    8. The members of the task force  shall  serve  without  compensation,
  except that at-large members shall be allowed their necessary and actual
  expenses incurred in the performance of their duties under this title.