- Primary Sponsor
- Session
- Regular Session 2014
- Title
- Funeral Service, Board of, definitions revised, notice by electronic format, display of casket prices regulated, meetings, appeals, qualifications for licensure, reporting to board, independent contractors authorized to enter establishments to inspect, Secs. 34-13-1, 34-13-4, 34-13-6, 34-13-9, 34-13-20, 34-13-22, 34-13-23, 34-13-26, 34-13-31, 34-13-53, 34-13-56, 34-13-57, 34-13-70, 34-13-71, 34-13-72, 34-13-73, 34-13-91, 34-13-92, 34-13-93, 34-13-94, 34-13-111, 34-13-113, 34-13-132, 34-13-134 am'd.
- Summary
HB101 updates the Alabama Board of Funeral Service rules with electronic notices, price-display requirements, expanded inspection powers, and revised licensure and ownership reporting processes.
What This Bill Does
If enacted, the bill requires electronic notices for rules, renewal dates, and exam schedules; funeral establishments must display casket prices on all full-size and cut caskets and on photos or electronic images. It expands the board's ability to inspect establishments through independent contractors, allows delegation of licensure exams, and removes the quarterly applicant-examining meeting requirement. It also tightens ownership-change reporting, clarifies licensure qualifications, sets new fee structures, and strengthens disciplinary and renewal processes while updating board governance and reporting requirements.
Who It Affects
- Funeral establishments and their owners/operators: must display casket prices, report ownership changes immediately, may be inspected by board-appointed independent contractors, and face new inspection and transfer fees.
- Licensed funeral directors, embalmers, apprentices, and license applicants: receive electronic notices, may have licensure exams delegated to others, must meet updated apprenticeship and education requirements, face revised renewal and disciplinary procedures, and must adhere to new reporting and fee rules.
Key Provisions
- Electronic notices: board to provide statutory law, rules, renewal dates, and exam dates/times electronically (and via board website).
- Price display: casket prices must be clearly noted on each full-size and cut casket and on every photograph or electronic image of a casket.
- Board staffing and oversight: board members may serve until successors are appointed; board may hire independent contractors to inspect funeral establishments; provisions for bonds, per diem, and administrative staff are updated.
- Inspection authority: independent inspectors may enter funeral establishments to examine offices, premises, and licenses.
- Licensure exams: board may delegate responsibility for administering licensure examinations to qualified parties.
- Appeals: license-related appeals must be filed within 30 days of the board order; courts may remand under certain conditions.
- Ownership changes: changes in ownership must be reported to the board immediately; asset purchase agreements must be provided with amounts redacted; specific fees apply for ownership changes.
- Fees and renewals: renewal fees capped at $150 for embalmers/directors and $500 for operators; licenses expire Oct 1 and must be renewed; notice of renewal due by Aug 1.
- Inspections: minimum one unannounced inspection per year with up to $100 inspection fee; first inspection up to $150 and potential re-inspections up to $150.
- Educational and licensure standards: definitions expanded for schools and apprentices; two-year apprenticeship required for funeral director licensure; examinations cover a broad set of funeral service topics.
- Diversity and governance: board diversity requirements and annual reporting to the Legislature; structured terms and officer roles for board members.
- Effective date: act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage.
AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
- Subjects
- Funeral Service, Board of
