HB212 Alabama 2017 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: K.L. Brown
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2017
Title: Funeral Services, Board of, membership of board revised, provide further for definitions, require further for the licensing and regulation of crematories and cremationists, and other technical nonsubstantive changes, Secs. 34-13-56.1, 34-13-117, 34-13-120.1, 34-13-123 added; Secs. 34-13-1, 34-13-3, 34-13-8, 34-13-10, 34-13-11, 34-13-20, 34-13-21, 34-13-23, 34-13-25, 34-13-26, 34-13-29, 34-13-31, 34-13-51 to 34-13-57, inclusive, 34-13-70, 34-13-71, 34-13-74, 34-13-91, 34-13-110 to 34-13-113, inclusive, 34-13-115, 34-13-116, 34-13-120, 34-13-121, 34-13-130 to 34-13-132, inclusive, 34-13-134 am'd.
Summary: HB212 would overhaul the Alabama Board of Funeral Service by changing board structure and licensing rules, adding background checks, and creating a regulated system for crematories and cremationists.
What This Bill Does
It revises board membership to seven professional members and two consumer members; changes the executive secretary to the executive director; adds grandchildren to the priority list for authorizing agents; requires criminal history background checks for all license applicants; imposes a 75-mile residence requirement for the managing funeral director; moves to biennial license renewals and fees for continuing education providers; shortens the reinstatement window for lapsed licenses; tightens the public hearing process and crematory advertising; and establishes licensing and regulation for crematories and cremationists, plus expanded apprenticeships.

Who It Affects
Funeral directors, embalmers, cremationists, apprentices, and funeral establishments will face new licensing rules, background checks, staffing requirements, and biennial renewals.
Funeral establishments and crematories will encounter new operational standards (staffing, inspections, records, advertising) and a formal regulatory framework for cremation practices.

Key Provisions
Board composition changes: seven professional members (embalmers or funeral directors) and two consumer members with diversity and district requirements, effective 2019.
Executive secretary renamed to executive director; updated board governance and reporting provisions.
Grandchildren of the decedent added to the priority list of authorized agents for disposition.
Criminal history background checks required for all licensees; fingerprints for state and national checks; applicant pays costs.
Licensing and regulation of crematories and cremationists; new facility and equipment requirements (holding room, refrigeration, cremation chamber, processor, etc.) and mandatory records/logs.
Apprenticeship provisions expanded; two-year program with supervised training and renewal/record-keeping requirements.
Biennial license renewals; CE requirements with a biennial administrative fee for CE providers; CE providers must meet fee limits.
Public hearing process clarified; appeals go to Circuit Court in Montgomery; mandatory advertising and disclosure related to crematories; penalties for unlicensed practice.
Funeral establishments must have a licensed managing funeral director (and an embalmer) and the director must live within 75 miles of the establishment.
Licensing/display requirements for licenses; updated definitions for terms like cremationist, crematory, and mortuary services.

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