LIMITED MORTUARY SCIENCE LICENSE

House Bills 4303, 4329, and 4330

Sponsor:  Rep. Kenneth Kurtz

Committee:  Regulatory Reform

Complete to 3-18-13

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 4303 AS INTRODUCED 2-21-13, AND HOUSE BILLS 4329 & 4330 AS INTRODUCED 2-27-13

 

Taken together, the bills would establish a limited mortuary science license for certain out-of-state licensees, establish application processing and license fees, and allow individuals holding a limited mortuary science license to certify death records.

House Bill 4303 would add a new Section 1806a to Article 18 of the Occupational Code to allow the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) to issue a limited license to engage in mortuary science to an individual if LARA determines (1) the person holds a valid license to practice mortuary science, funeral directing, or an equivalent occupation in Indiana, Ohio, or Wisconsin, and (2) the state that issued the license provides Michigan licensees substantially the same opportunity to practice in that state (reciprocity).

Permitted activity

Individuals holding a limited license would be allowed to do any of the following:

o                   Remove dead human bodies from places of death in Michigan.

o                   Register with a local registrar in each city or village where the licensee intends to practice. [This is currently required for individuals licensed under Article 18.]

o                   Transport dead bodies to or from the state in which he or she is licensed.

o                   Supervise the final disposition of human bodies in Michigan.

Prohibited activity

Individuals holding a limited license would be prohibited from doing any of the following:

o                   Operating a funeral establishment.

o                   Embalming.

o                   Advertising mortuary science, funeral directing, or cremation services.

o                   Directly or indirectly owning, managing, operating, maintaining, or being employed by a cemetery.

o                   Violating Section 1810, which contains prohibited activities for individuals licensed to engage in mortuary science.

Limited mortuary science licenses would be valid for two years beginning on the date of issuance or renewal.  LARA would be required to ensure that limited licenses are issued within the limitations established in the bill.

Proposed MCL 339.1806a

House Bill 4329 would amend the State License Fee Act (MCL 333.2843) to set the application processing fee and annual license fee for limited mortuary science licenses at $40 each.  The annual license fee for a limited mortuary science license would be the same as for a mortuary science license.

House Bill 4330 would amend the Public Health Code (MCL 333.2843) to allow individuals in possession of a limited mortuary science license to certify a death record. 

FISCAL IMPACT:

A fiscal analysis is in process.

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   Jeff Stoutenburg

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   Paul Holland

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.