SB211 Alabama 2014 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: George M. “Marc” Keahey
Democrat
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: SB211 updates Alabama's funeral service regulation by changing board definitions, notices, price display rules, inspections, licensure processes, and disciplinary provisions.
What This Bill Does
It updates definitions of conviction, gross immorality, and moral turpitude and authorizes electronic notices to applicants and licensees about laws, rules, renewal dates/fees, and exam dates/times. It requires casket price labeling on full-size and cut caskets and on all photos or electronic images, and it allows the board to delegate licensure exams and authorize independent inspectors. It strengthens licensing and disciplinary procedures (including grounds for action and a 30-day appeal window) and requires immediate reporting of ownership changes. It also adjusts board operations, such as allowing a member to serve after term ends and removing the mandatory quarterly exam meetings, and it sets the effective date and notes a local-expenditure constitutional provision.

Who It Affects
Funeral establishments, funeral directors, embalmers, and operators: must display casket prices, may be inspected by board contractors, face updated ownership reporting requirements, and are subject to revised disciplinary rules, fees, and licensure provisions.
Consumers and the general public: gain price transparency for caskets and funeral services and benefit from increased board oversight and enforcement.

Key Provisions
Definition updates: revises definitions for conviction, gross immorality, and moral turpitude.
Electronic notices: authorizes electronic notices to applicants and licensees for statutes, board rules, renewal dates/fees, and license examination dates/times.
Price display: funeral establishments must clearly note casket prices on full-size and cut caskets and on photographs/electronic images.
Board operations: allows a board member to serve past term end; removes mandatory quarterly meetings for examining applicants and authorizes delegation of licensure exams; permits independent contractors to inspect.
Appeals and discipline: sets a 30-day window to appeal board orders; provides grounds for denying, renewing, suspending, or revoking licenses; permits board-imposed fines.
Ownership reporting: requires immediate reporting of changes in ownership of funeral establishments; requires redacted asset purchase agreements and specifies related fees.
Licensing and examinations: updates qualifications and interviewing processes for funeral directors and embalmers; board may delegate exam administration; maintains apprenticeship requirements.
Fees and inspections: establishes renewal fees (up to $150 for embalmers/directors and up to $500 for operators); inspection/transfer fees; annual or unannounced inspection requirements and related costs.
Effective date and local expenditure note: act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage; notes exemption from local expenditure requirements per Amendment 621.

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