HB5923 - Condominium Ombudsperson Act

• Creates the Office of the Condominium Ombudsperson within the Attorney General's office, effective July 1, 2012, to provide education, training, and dispute resolution assistance to condominium unit owners, associations, and boards of managers.

• Requires the Ombudsperson to maintain a statewide toll-free number, operate a website with relevant laws and dispute resolution information, and offer training courses (fees capped at actual cost).

• Mandates that every condominium board member certify within 60 days of taking office that they have read the condominium instruments and the Ombudsperson Act, filing certification with the Ombudsperson.

• Establishes an annual fee structure where unit owners' associations pay per unit (initial rate $3, maximum $10 per unit per year) into the Condominium Ombudsperson Fund to cover office operations and dispute resolution services at no charge to users.

• Requires the Attorney General to submit annual reports to the General Assembly on ombudsperson activities and recommendations, and to report by January 1, 2013 on whether to expand the ombudsperson's enforcement and oversight authority; the Act automatically repeals July 1, 2015.