553.841  Building code education and outreach program.--

(1)  The Legislature finds that the effectiveness of the building codes of this state depends on the performance of all participants, as demonstrated through knowledge of the codes and commitment to compliance with code directives, and that to strengthen compliance by industry and enforcement by government, a building code education and outreach program is needed.

(2)  There is created the Building Code Education and Outreach Council to coordinate, develop, and maintain education and outreach to ensure administration and enforcement of the Florida Building Code.

(3)  The Building Code Education and Outreach Council shall be composed of the following members:

(a)  Three representatives of the Florida Building Commission, one of whom must be a member of a Florida-based organization of persons with disabilities or a nationally chartered organization of persons with disabilities having chapters in this state, selected by the commission;

(b)  One representative of the Florida Building Code Administrators and Inspectors Board, selected by that board;

(c)  One representative of the Construction Industry Licensing Board, selected by that board;

(d)  One representative of the Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board, selected by that board;

(e)  One representative of the Florida Board of Professional Engineers, selected by that board;

(f)  One architect representative of the Board of Architecture and Interior Design, selected by that board;

(g)  One interior designer representative of the Board of Architecture and Interior Design, selected by that board;

(h)  One representative of the Board of Landscape Architecture, selected by that board;

(i)  One representative from the office of the State Fire Marshal, selected by that office; and

(j)  One representative with experience and expertise in K-12 public school construction.

Each member of the board shall be appointed to a 2-year term and may be reappointed at the discretion of the appointing body. A chair shall be elected by majority vote of the council and shall serve a term of 1 year.

(4)  The Building Code Education and Outreach Council shall meet in Tallahassee no more than semiannually. The council may meet more often but not more than monthly, and such additional meetings shall be by telephone conference call. Travel costs, if any, shall be borne by the respective appointing entity. The Department of Community Affairs shall provide administrative support to the council; however, the department may contract with an entity that has previous experience with building code training, development, and coordination to provide administrative support for the council.

(5)  The Building Code Education and Outreach Council shall:

(a)  Consider and determine any policies or procedures needed to administer ss. 489.109(3) and 489.509(3).

(b)  Administer the provisions of this section.

(c)  Determine the areas of priority for which funds should be expended for education and outreach.

(d)  Review all proposed subjects for advanced courses concerning the Florida Building Code and recommend to the commission any related subjects that should be approved for advanced courses.

(6)  The Building Code Education and Outreach Council shall maintain, update, develop, or cause to be developed:

(a)  A core curriculum that is prerequisite to the advanced module coursework.

(b)  Advanced modules designed for use by each profession.

(c)  The core curriculum developed under this subsection must be approved by the commission and submitted to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation for approval. Advanced modules developed under this paragraph must be approved by the commission and submitted to the respective boards for approval.

(7)  The core curriculum shall cover the information required to have all categories of participants appropriately informed as to their technical and administrative responsibilities in the effective execution of the code process by all individuals currently licensed under part XII of chapter 468, chapter 471, chapter 481, or chapter 489, except as otherwise provided in s. 471.017. The core curriculum shall be prerequisite to the advanced module coursework for all licensees and shall be completed by individuals licensed in all categories under part XII of chapter 468, chapter 471, chapter 481, or chapter 489 within the first 2-year period after initial licensure. Core course hours taken by licensees to complete this requirement shall count toward fulfillment of required continuing education units under part XII of chapter 468, chapter 471, chapter 481, or chapter 489.

(8)  Each biennium, upon receipt of funds by the Department of Community Affairs from the Construction Industry Licensing Board and the Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board provided under ss. 489.109(3) and 489.509(3), the council shall determine the amount of funds available for education and outreach projects from the proceeds of contractor licensing fees and identify, solicit, and accept funds from other sources for education and outreach projects.

(9)  If funds collected for education and outreach projects in any year do not require the use of all available funds, the unused funds shall be carried forward and allocated for use during the following fiscal year.

(10)  The commission shall consider and approve or reject the recommendations made by the council for subjects for education and outreach concerning the Florida Building Code. Any rejection must be made with specificity and must be communicated to the council.

(11)  The commission shall adopt rules for establishing procedures and criteria for the approval of advanced courses. This section does not modify or eliminate the continuing education course requirements or authority of any licensing board under part XII of chapter 468, chapter 471, chapter 481, or chapter 489.

History.--s. 52, ch. 98-287; s. 89, ch. 2000-141; s. 59, ch. 2004-357; s. 14, ch. 2005-147.