Colorado § 10-1-145 - Study regarding standards for the remediation of residential premises after fire - required considerations - report - repeal.

§ 10-1-145. Study regarding standards for the remediation of residential premises after fire - required considerations - report - repeal.

(1) (a) The division shall conduct or cause to be conducted a study that:

(I) Evaluates methods of inspecting, testing, and remediating residential premises that have been damaged by smoke, soot, ash, and other contaminants as a result of a fire;

(II) Includes recommendations regarding the establishment of uniform standards for the inspection, testing, and remediation of residential premises that have been damaged by smoke, soot, ash, and other contaminants as a result of a fire; and

(III) Considers the extent to which any recommended uniform standards related to the remediation of residential premises damaged by fire, including damage from smoke, soot, ash, and other contaminants, impact the cost and availability of homeowners insurance.

(b) The division may contract with a third party to conduct all or part of the study.

(2) The study conducted pursuant to this section must consider:

(a) Existing practices and methods for the cleaning, repair, and remediation of residential premises, structures, personal property, and home furnishings that have been damaged by smoke, soot, ash, and other contaminants as a result of a fire;

(b) Existing standards, if any, for the testing, inspection, and remediation of residential premises, structures, home furnishings, and personal property that have been damaged by smoke, soot, ash, and other contaminants as a result of a fire, including any relevant standards established by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification or a successor entity;

(c) Guidelines for determining whether structures, home furnishings, and personal property can be remediated after experiencing damage from smoke, soot, ash, and other contaminants to levels that are protective of health and safety;

(d) Existing indoor air quality health and safety standards, if available, regarding the habitability of residential premises, specifically after those residential premises have been damaged by smoke, soot, ash, and other contaminants as a result of a fire, including, to the extent practicable, indoor air quality health and safety standards for individuals who are more susceptible to health issues due to exposure to smoke, soot, ash, and other contaminants; and

(e) The extent to which typical homeowners insurance policies cover damages to residential premises that are the result of a fire, including damage from smoke, soot, ash, and other contaminants, and the extent to which those insurance policies effectively cover the cost of the cleaning, repair, and remediation of the residential premises.

(3) The division, or a third party the division contracts with, shall engage with relevant stakeholders in conducting the study pursuant to subsections (1) and (2) of this section. Relevant stakeholders may include:

(a) Representatives from the department of public health and environment;

(b) Individuals who own homes or other residential premises;

(c) Representatives from the homeowners insurance industry in Colorado;

(d) Public health experts;

(e) Representatives from the industrial hygienist industry in Colorado;

(f) Representatives from the residential remediation and restoration industry in Colorado; and

(g) Representatives from organizations that advocate for the interests of consumers of homeowners insurance policies.

(4) On or before January 1, 2026, the division shall submit a report to the house of representatives health and human services committee and the senate local government and housing committee, or their successor committees. The report must include the research, findings, and recommendations of the study conducted in accordance with subsections (1) and (2) of this section.

(5) This section is repealed, effective December 31, 2027.

Source: L. 2024: Entire section added, (HB 24-1315), ch. 417, p. 2852, § 2, effective August 7.

Cross references: For the legislative declaration in HB 24-1315, see section 1 of chapter 417, Session Laws of Colorado 2024.

PART 2

EXAMINATIONS