DE HB308

Establishes the Office of the Common Interest Community Ombudsman within the Delaware Department of Justice, headed by an Ombudsman appointed by the Attorney General.

Ombudsman must be a Delaware Bar member with at least 5 years of legal experience, expertise in real estate and common interest community law, and experience in alternative dispute resolution.

Ombudsman shall provide education, mediation, election monitoring, and complaint resolution services to unit owners, common interest community associations, and other stakeholders in common interest communities.

Requires common interest community associations to adopt written complaint procedures established by the Ombudsman, including timelines for acknowledgment (14 days) and final determination (14 days) of complaints.

Establishes a Common Interest Community Advisory Council with representatives from the public, government, bar associations, and industry organizations to advise the Ombudsman and recommend changes to state law; Office becomes operational by February 1, 2015.