HOUSE 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

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (11)

      Signed by Representatives Braddock, Chair; Day, Vice Chair; Brooks, Ranking Republican Member; Cantwell, Chandler, Morris, Prentice, Sommers, Sprenkle, Vekich and Wolfe.

House Staff:John Welsh (786-7133)

AS PASSED HOUSE FEBRUARY 27, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Educational requirements for applicants for licensure as funeral directors are specified by law.  The examination subjects and educational requirements for applicants for licensure embalmers are specified by law.  Licenses must bear the signature of the licensee for identification purposes.  There are no disciplinary sanctions or procedures for apprentices.  Licenses lapsing after one year require re-examination in order to be reinstated.  There is no limitation of terms for members of the Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers.  The board may establish fees for cremation.  There is no specific requirement for the board to examine prearrangement trust funds.

SUMMARY:

Educational requirements, as well as examination subjects and procedures, for licensure applicants as funeral directors and embalmers shall be specified by rule by the board. The signature of the licensee is no longer required on the license.  Apprentices are now subject to the Uniform Disciplinary Act.  Licenses may be reinstated after relapsing up to three years after expiration.  Members of the board are required to examine prearrangement trust funds at least every three years, the expenses chargeable to the licensee.  The authority of the director of licensing is clarified.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Chris Rose, Department of Licensing, John Swannack, Department of Licensing.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    These housekeeping and technical changes are necessary for administering the funeral directors licensure act.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.