CALL TO ORDER

The meeting of the Home Inspection Advisory Committee was called to order by Chairman Michael Fitzpatrick at 9:40 a.m. in the Monmouth Conference Room, seventh floor, 124 Halsey Street, Newark, New Jersey. All parties were duly notified of the time, date and place and all pertinent material had been provided.

SUNSHINE LAW ANNOUNCEMENT

Joseph Grabowy read the statement required by Chapter 231, Laws of 1975, known as the Open Public Meetings Act, and announced that notice of the meeting was prepared in the office of the Committee and mailed to the Secretary of State, the Star Ledger, the Courier Post, the Bergen Record and the Atlantic City Press.

ROLL CALL

CMs present:

Michael Fitzpatrick
Michael Del Greco
Daniel Casper

CMs absent: None

Others present: Arthur Russo, Executive Director, Olga E. Bradford, Deputy Attorney General, staff member Joseph Grabowy, and seven members of the public.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

June 12, 2007

The Committee, on a motion by Vice-Chairman Del Greco, seconded by CM Casper, unanimously voted to approve the minutes of June 12, 2007 as submitted.

REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Executive Director Russo advised the Committee with the following licensing statistics as of July 31, 2007:

Total Licensed Home Inspectors 646

Total Reinstatements Pending 6

Total Suspended Home Inspectors 1

Total Expired Home Inspectors 63

Total Inactive Home Inspectors 69

Total Pending/Incomplete Home Inspector Applications 126*

* Includes application files deemed incomplete, abandoned, and those approved but never activated since the licensure fees were never remitted to the Committee office.

E.D. Russo discussed a revised draft of the instructions for the home inspector application. After its review the Committee suggested that some additional changes be made and that it be posted to its Website.

Executive Director Russo suggested that DAG Bradford discuss with the Committee staff the procedures for sending the appropriate correspondence regarding the results of its audit of expired errors and omissions insurance as of December 31, 2006.

Incoming Correspondence

#1 William E. Brady
Re: Licensure requirements
July 11, 2007

Mr. Brady, a New York State licensed home inspector, seeks clarification as to New Jersey’s requirements for home inspector licensure.

After reviewing this matter the Committee concluded that pursuant to N.J.S.A. 45:8-71(a), New York’s licensure requirements must have "standards substantially equivalent to those" of New Jersey as determined by the Committee.

In addition, Mr. Brady will be advised to submit an application for licensure along with the detailed licensure requirements of New York, for a determination by the Committee. Or, as an alternative under N.J.S.A. 45:8-68 ( c), to be eligible for licensure as a home inspector, an applicant shall fulfill the following requirements:

c. (1) Have successfully completed an approved course of study of 180 hours, as prescribed by the Board, after consultation with the State Department of Education, which shall include not less than 40 hours of unpaid field-based inspections in the presence of and under the direct supervision of a licensed home inspector, which inspections shall be provided by the school providing the approved course of study; OR

c. (2) Have performed not less than 250 fee-paid home inspections in the presence of and under the direct supervision of a licensed home inspector who oversees and takes full responsibility for the inspection and any report produced.

#2 Frank V. Libero
Re: Required Licensure
July 30, 2007

Mr. Libero seeks clarification as to the exact date New Jersey home inspectors were required to be licensed in order to practice.

After discussing this matter Mr. Libero will be advised that in October 2005, a licensed associate home inspector was required to comply with the mandates of N.J.A.C. 13:40-15.1 et seq., the regulations governing the practice of home inspection. Under these regulations, an associate home inspector could inspect a residential home under the regular and effective, direct supervision of a licensed home inspector pursuant to N.J.A.C. 13:40-15.2. The licensed home inspector did not need to be present during the inspection but had to be accessible to the associate home inspector during the course of an inspection.

Secondly, in or about June 2004, an amendment to N.J.S.A. 45:8-72, the grandfather provision, became effective. This amendment allowed persons seeking licensure as a home inspector to continue performing home inspections without licensure in order to qualify for licensure by accumulating either: 1) 300 inspections prior to December 2005 if they had been engaged in the practice of home inspection for at least 3 years prior to December 2005; OR 2) 400 inspections prior to December 2005. Therefore, the Legislature permitted persons, including those licensed as associate home inspectors, to qualify for grandfather licensure in the manner detailed above until December 2005.

Outgoing Correspondence

NONE

APPEARANCE BY PATRICIA SCHIRIPIO, ESQ. TO DISCUSS REGULATION CHANGES

The Committee along with Patricia Schiripio, Esq., regulatory analyst, continued its discussions on changes to its regulations. Further discussion will be held at subsequent meetings.

REVIEW OF HOME INSPECTION APPLICATIONS FOR LICENSURE

On a motion by Vice-Chairman Del Greco, seconded by CM Casper, the Committee unanimously voted to approve the following applications for licensure:

*Approved pending the receipt of an original certificate of insurance.
(A): Vice-Chairman Del Greco was recused.

REVIEW OF CONTINUING EDUCATION COURSES

On a motion by CM Casper, seconded by Vice-Chairman Del Greco, the Committee unanimously voted to approve the following continuing education courses with the corresponding number of professional development hours (pdh):

PUBLIC COMMENTS

NONE

INFORMATIONAL ITEMS

The Star Ledger
Re: State Justices toss lawsuit on danger of lead paint in homes
Publication: June 16, 2007

This correspondence was noted for the record.

MOVE TO EXECUTIVE SESSION

On a motion by CM Casper, seconded by Vice-Chairman Del Greco, the Committee unanimously voted to enter into Executive Session.

RETURN TO PUBLIC

On a motion contained in the Executive Session minutes, the Committee re-entered into Public Session to adjourn.

ADJOURNMENT

On a motion by CM Casper, seconded by Vice-Chairman Del Greco, the Committee voted to adjourn the meeting at 4:45PM.

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