Yesterday, January 15, a bipartisan, bicameral group of lawmakers introduced the Military Occupancy Living Defense (MOLD) Act, legislation designed to strengthen protections for military servicemembers and their families living in privatized military housing.

The bill was introduced by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Tim Sheehy (R-MT), along with U.S. Representatives Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), and James Moylan (R-GU). U.S. Senators Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Mazie Hirono (D-HI) joined Blumenthal and Sheehy as original cosponsors.

An estimated 700,000 servicemembers and their families are affected by hazardous living conditions in military-provided housing, including prolonged mold exposure. These conditions are associated with increased risks of respiratory illness, neurological symptoms, developmental delays in children, and other serious health effects. The MOLD Act seeks to address these dangers by establishing enforceable health and safety standards, mandating independent inspections, and increasing transparency in the reporting of habitability issues such as water damage, humidity, and mold.

“The IICRC is pleased to see that its sustained on-the-ground advocacy work over the past few years has produced important legislation such as the MOLD Act,” said Robbie Bradshaw, Director of Government Relations for the IICRC. “Even more importantly, this progress reflects meaningful improvements to the living conditions of our service members and their families.”

“The MOLD Act represents a true paradigm shift for our industry—moving us from fragmented approaches to a unified, science-driven framework that standardizes assessment, remediation, and long-term verification,” said Doug Hoffman, Executive Director of NORMI. “By strengthening best practices, embracing building science, and collaborating around measurable outcomes, we are laying the foundation for cleaner, safer, and healthier environments that can be proven and sustained.”

“This measure will help ensure that military families are protected from housing that endangers their health. They deserve the gold standard, nothing less,” said Blumenthal. “The MOLD Act will require strict health and safety standards, independent inspections, and financial accountability for contractors. This bipartisan, bicameral reform deserves quick passage so servicemembers and their families have a safe place to call home.”

The MOLD Act is endorsed by Change the Air Foundation, Blue Star Families, Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), Safe Military Housing Initiative, Military Housing Coalition, National Military Families Association, Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), and the National Organization of Remediators and Microbial Inspectors (NORMI).

“This is a historic moment for military families. Thanks to Senator Blumenthal and the other Congressional sponsors, the bipartisan Military Occupancy Living Defense (MOLD) Act is an immediate response to a crisis that in this generation has simultaneously harmed military families’ health, degraded mission readiness, and weakened the future force. For too long, unsafe housing conditions, particularly mold and water damage, have gone unaddressed, leaving families unprotected due to a lack of transparency and accountability. The MOLD Act finally treats unsafe housing as the serious public health and military readiness issue it is. Change the Air Foundation is proud to support this legislation because it puts military families first, strengthens military readiness, and affirms that no one who serves our country should be asked to sacrifice their health or their family’s well-being because of where they live,” said Brandon Chappo, Director of Public Policy, Change the Air Foundation.

“A safe home is a matter of basic human decency. But too many military families are living with mold and other hazards that threaten their health, often with no real recourse. The MOLD Act establishes clear standards and accountability so families can count on safe, healthy homes. We’re grateful to Senators Blumenthal and Sheehy and Representatives Wittman and Panetta for standing up for military families,” said Besa Pinchotti, CEO, National Military Family Association.

Full bill text is available here. A one-pager is available here.