HB 178 Summary

• Establishes an ombudsman's office for homeowner associations within the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to investigate complaints, resolve disputes, and provide education and training for board members.

• Creates an ombudsman's office special fund financed through condominium education trust fund fees and assessments from cooperative housing corporations and planned community associations, with no impact on the state's general fund.

• Requires all board members of condominium associations, cooperative housing corporations, and planned community associations to complete educational classes offered by the ombudsman within three months and renew certification every three years.

• Replaces mediation and arbitration processes under existing law with a dispute intervention system administered by the ombudsman's office, allowing unit owners to request investigations and resolution without attorney costs.

• Effective January 1, 2024, with appropriations for fiscal year 2023-2024 to establish the ombudsman's office and hire necessary staff.