MI SB0355

Creates a home inspectors board and establishes licensure requirements for home inspectors, effective July 1, 2009, requiring 60 credit hours of education, participation in at least 200 home inspections, passage of the national home inspection examination, and being at least 18 years old with no felony convictions.

Provides a 12-month transitional period allowing individuals with 3 years of home inspection experience and 200 completed inspections in the preceding 5 years to obtain licensure without meeting standard education and examination requirements.

Requires home inspection contracts to be in writing and include detailed descriptions of services, disclaimers about future performance warranties, exclusions for non-visible defects, and disclosures regarding ownership interests and potential conflicts of interest.

Mandates home inspectors provide written inspection reports listing major systems inspected, any uninspected systems with reasons, and conditions limiting the inspection, with reports retained for at least 3 years.

Prohibits unlicensed individuals from providing home inspection services or using the title "home inspector," with violations subject to criminal penalties ranging from $5,000-$25,000 fines and up to 4 years imprisonment depending on offense severity, plus civil liability for damages.