S. 3654, the Military Occupancy Living Defense Act (MOLD Act), aims to protect approximately 700,000 military members and their families living in privatized military housing from mold, water damage, and other environmental hazards. The bill requires the Defense Department to establish minimum health and safety standards within 180 days (interim guidance) and one year (final standards), covering acceptable humidity levels, ventilation, and mold remediation practices. It mandates independent third-party inspections of all privatized housing upon tenant turnover, after complaints, and following repairs, with results reported to tenants within 10 days and made publicly available by installation. The bill also requires housing contractors to bear full financial responsibility for inspections, maintenance, mold remediation, tenant relocation, and refunds of housing allowances for families forced to vacate uninhabitable units, while prohibiting contractors from using non-disclosure agreements to silence tenants reporting unsafe conditions. Additionally, the legislation establishes a 24/7 complaint hotline, requires quarterly reporting to Congress on housing conditions and contractor compliance, and directs the Department to evaluate mold-related health coverage under TRICARE military health insurance.
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