(1) Within 90 days after being elected or appointed to the board, a newly elected or appointed director shall certify by an affidavit in writing to the secretary of the association that he or she has read the association’s current articles of incorporation, bylaws, and the mobile home park’s prospectus, rental agreement, rules, regulations, and written policies; that he or she will work to uphold such documents and policies to the best of his or her ability; and that he or she will faithfully discharge his or her fiduciary responsibility to the association’s members.

(2) In lieu of this written certification, within 90 days after being elected or appointed to the board, the newly elected or appointed director may submit a certificate of having satisfactorily completed the educational curriculum approved by the division within 1 year before or 90 days after the date of election or appointment. The educational certificate is valid and does not have to be resubmitted as long as the director serves on the board without interruption.

(3) A director who fails to timely file the written certification or educational certificate is suspended from service on the board until he or she complies with this section. The board may temporarily fill the vacancy during the period of suspension.

(4) The secretary of the association shall retain a director’s written certification or educational certificate for inspection by the members for 5 years after the director’s election or the duration of the director’s uninterrupted tenure, whichever is longer. Failure to have such written certification or educational certificate on file does not affect the validity of any board action.

(5) This section becomes effective on October 1, 2016. Any member of the board of directors of a homeowners’ association not in compliance with the requirements of this section may not be considered in violation of this section until after October 1, 2017.

History.—s. 11, ch. 2015-90; s. 6, ch. 2016-169.