HB670 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

H. Mac Gipson

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Funeral Service, Board of, mortuary service regulated, diversity in board membership, fees and fines increased, authorized agent and liability of funeral director substantially revised, Secs. 34-13-1, 34-13-7, 34-13-9, 34-13-11, 34-13-12, 34-13-20, 34-13-22, 34-13-23, 34-13-26, 34-13-50, 34-13-51, 34-13-53, 34-13-55, 34-13-56, 34-13-70, 34-13-72, 34-13-73, 34-13-74, 34-13-90, 34-13-111, 34-13-113, 34-13-114, 34-13-115, 34-13-116, 34-13-120 am'd.; Secs. 34-13-150, 34-13-151, 34-13-152 repealed

Summary

HB670 significantly updates Alabama's funeral service regulation by expanding the Board, redefining mortuary services, tightening licensing and pricing rules, increasing fees and penalties, and adding crematory oversight, with changes taking effect in 2010.

What This Bill Does

The bill broadens and tightens regulation of funeral establishments, funeral directors, embalmers, and mortuary services; defines mortuary service and expands the contents and requirements for related facilities. It requires pricing to follow FTC rules, revises who may authorize disposition of remains, and strengthens liability protections for funeral directors acting on authorized directions. It also overhauls the Board of Funeral Service with greater diversity, delegated exam administration, higher per diem for members, and expanded disciplinary powers, while funding the board through a new state fund and raising various fees. Additionally, it introduces stricter oversight for crematories, expands purchase and preneed contract controls, and repeals donor eye enucleation license provisions.

Who It Affects

• Funeral directors, embalmers, funeral establishments, operators, and mortuary service providers—the bill changes licensure requirements, examination subjects, application and renewal fees, and ongoing compliance rules.
• Consumers and families using funeral services or preneed contracts—the bill increases price transparency, clarifies who can authorize disposition of remains, and strengthens protection against improper practices.

Key Provisions

• Defines mortuary service and sets minimum facility contents and standards for funeral establishments and mortuary services.
• Requires funeral service, cemetery service, and funeral merchandise pricing to conform to FTC rules.
• Revamps the authorization of disposition by clarifying who may act as authorizing agent and protects funeral directors relying on such authorization.
• Diversifies and expands the Alabama Board of Funeral Service, allows delegated licensing examinations, increases per diem for board members, and mandates board diversity.
• Raises numerous fees (licensure, renewal, examination, special operating permits, inspections, and related items) and creates an Alabama State Funeral Directors and Embalmers Fund to support board operations.
• Expands disciplinary authorities, increases fines (up to $2,500 per violation), and provides for due process hearings and immediate temporary suspensions in certain safety emergencies.
• Regulates crematories with licensing, unannounced inspections, annual reporting, and strict adherence to health and environmental standards; prohibits cremating deceased animals.
• Reforms prenatal contracts and disposition rights, including preneed directives and the order of authority for final disposition among eligible relatives.
• Repeals donor eye enucleation license provisions (donor eye licenses).
• Effective date: October 1, 2010.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Funeral Service, Board of