- Primary Sponsor
- Session
- Regular Session 2022
- Title
- Funeral Service Board, licensure and regulation of funeral establishments, funeral directors, and embalmers further provided for, board members, compensation, Funeral Bd. Property Acquisition Fund estab., rules re sales by licensees auth., violations subject to disciplinary action, general liability policy required, apprenticeships further provided for, Secs. 34-13-1, 34-13-2, 34-13-4, 34-13-7, 34-13-9, 34-13-11, 34-13-12, 34-13-23, 34-13-24, 34-13-26, 34-13-27, 34-13-52, 34-13-53, 34-13-54, 34-13-55, 34-13-56, 34-13-56.1, 34-13-72, 34-13-73, 34-13-92, 34-13-94, 34-13-113, 34-13-130, 34-13-131, 34-13-132, 34-13-134 am'd.
- Summary
HB48 updates the Alabama Board of Funeral Service to strengthen oversight, funding, and licensing standards for funeral establishments, licensees, and apprentices, including new insurance and fee requirements.
What This Bill Does
It expands the board’s authority by allowing additional associate executive directors, committees, and rules governing the sale of goods and services by licensees. Starting October 1, 2023, initial funeral or mortuary service establishments must carry and maintain a general liability insurance policy of at least $1,000,000. License renewals become biennial with renewal fees up to $500 and mandatory continuing education (eight hours every two years), and the bill adds broader disciplinary actions and fines for violations. It creates the Funeral Board Property Acquisition Fund to buy and hold real property, funded by 2%–7% of receipts each year with carryover balances, and updates apprenticeship rules, including higher application fees, a two-year apprenticeship, background checks, supervision limits, and reactivation rules.
Who It Affects
- Funeral establishment owners/managers and licensed funeral directors, embalmers, and cremationists in Alabama who must meet new insurance requirements, renewal fees, continuing education, and display of licenses.
- Funeral service apprentices and applicants who face updated apprenticeship rules, increased application fees, background checks, supervision limits, and reactivation provisions.
Key Provisions
- Starting October 1, 2023, initial applicants for funeral or mortuary establishments must provide proof of, and maintain, a general liability insurance policy of at least $1,000,000.
- The board will establish the Funeral Board Property Acquisition Fund to purchase and hold real property, with annual transfers of 2%–7% of receipts and carryover of unspent balances; funds are used to support property-related board activities and do not create state debt.
- The board may hire additional associate executive directors; salaries for executive positions must be set by the board but not exceed cabinet-level salaries; travel and other expenses are paid from board receipts.
- The board may adopt rules relating to the sale of goods, services, and merchandise by licensees and regulate cash advance items and related practices.
- Licenses for funeral directors, embalmers, cremationists, and funeral establishments shall be renewed biennially, with renewal fees up to $500 and mandatory continuing education (at least 8 hours every two years), plus applicable exemptions.
- The board expands disciplinary actions for violations, including suspension, revocation, probation, and administrative fines from $500 to $2,500 per violation.
- Apprentice provisions are updated: applicant background checks via fingerprinting, a two-year apprenticeship with supervision limits (no more than three apprentices per supervisor), required enrollment in an accredited mortuary school within one year, annual reports and skills evaluations, and reactivation limitations.
- Applies wallet display requirements and proof of liability insurance for licensees; licensing and establishment licenses must be publicly displayed and licensees may be required to show wallet licenses upon request.
AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
- Subjects
- Funeral Service, Board of
