SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 1240

BYRepresentatives Braddock and Morris;by request of Director of Department of Licensing

Changing provisions relating to funeral directors.

House Committe on Health Care

Senate Committee on Health Care & Corrections

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 16, 1989; March 23, 1989

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators West, Chairman; Smith, Vice Chairman; Amondson, Johnson, Kreidler, Niemi, Wojahn.

Senate Staff:Scott Plack (786-7409)

                  March 24, 1989

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE & CORRECTIONS, MARCH 23, 1989

BACKGROUND:

The educational requirements for applicants for licensure as a funeral director are specified in law.  Examination subjects and educational requirements for applicants for licensure as an embalmer are also specified in law.

Licenses must bear the signature of the licensee for identification purposes.  A license expired for more than one year requires re-examination in order to be reinstated.

The Uniform Disciplinary Act which applies to funeral directors and embalmers does not apply to the apprentices for each of these professions.  There is currently no specific requirement for the board to examine prearrangement trust funds.

SUMMARY:

Educational requirements, as well as examination subjects and procedures for applicants for licensure as a funeral director and an embalmer shall be specified by rule.

Licenses may be reinstated without re-examination for up to three years after expiration.  The signature of the licensee is no longer required on the license.

Members of the board are required to examine prearrangement trust funds at least every three years with the expense chargeable to the licensee.

Apprentices are subject to the Uniform Disciplinary Act.

The authority of the Director of Licensing is clarified.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested March 7, 1989

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:

The provisions of the Uniform Disciplinary Act (UDA), Chapter 18.130 RCW, are incorporated directly into the Funeral Directors and Embalmers Act.  Language is added to clarify provisions regarding the examination of prearrangement "master trusts" by the board.

Senate Committee - Testified: Chris Rose, Department of Licensing (pro); Dick Goldsmith, Washington State Funeral Directors Association (pro)