PRINTER'S NO. 2916
No. 2347 Session of 1993
INTRODUCED BY BUXTON, DeWEESE, EVANS, COY, CESSAR, LaGROTTA, LEDERER, MAYERNIK, TRELLO, LAUGHLIN, COLAFELLA, COWELL, GORDNER, MIHALICH, STABACK, BEBKO-JONES, SCRIMENTI, MICHLOVIC, RIEGER, OLASZ, CORRIGAN, CALTAGIRONE, JADLOWIEC, BARLEY, HUTCHINSON, NAILOR, TOMLINSON, CLYMER, DeLUCA, FARGO, CORNELL, TANGRETTI, GRUITZA AND PERZEL, DECEMBER 7, 1993
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON CONSUMER AFFAIRS, DECEMBER 7, 1993
AN ACT 1 Providing for the regulation of preneed funeral and burial 2 contracts; providing for powers and duties of the Office of 3 Attorney General, Bureau of Consumer Protection; creating 4 funds; imposing penalties; and making repeals. 5 TABLE OF CONTENTS 6 Section 1. Short title. 7 Section 2. Definitions. 8 Section 3. Construction and application. 9 Section 4. Registration. 10 Section 5. Discrimination prohibited. 11 Section 6. Marketing and solicitation. 12 Section 7. General contract requirements. 13 Section 8. Specific contract requirements and disclosures. 14 Section 9. Cancellation. 15 Section 10. Credit life insurance. 16 Section 11. Funding methods for preneed contracts. 17 Section 12. Preneed trusts.
1 Section 13. Preneed insurance policies. 2 Section 14. Performance and substitution of preneed provider. 3 Section 15. Change in preneed provider's status. 4 Section 16. Substitution of trustee and trusts. 5 Section 17. Substitution of goods and services. 6 Section 18. Preneed Funeral and Burial Contract Regulation 7 Fund. 8 Section 19. Preneed Funeral and Burial Contract Guarantee Fund. 9 Section 20. Regulations. 10 Section 21. Preneed Funeral and Burial Contract Advisory Board. 11 Section 22. Violations and enforcement. 12 Section 23. Repeals. 13 Section 24. Effective date. 14 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania 15 hereby enacts as follows: 16 Section 1. Short title. 17 This act shall be known and may be cited as the Preneed 18 Funeral and Burial Contract Regulation Act. 19 Section 2. Definitions. 20 The following words and phrases when used in this act shall 21 have the meanings given to them in this section unless the 22 context clearly indicates otherwise: 23 "Bureau of Consumer Protection." The Bureau of Consumer 24 Protection in the Office of Attorney General. 25 "Buyer." A person who enters into a preneed contract with a 26 preneed provider. The term includes, where the buyer is 27 different from the contract beneficiary and where the buyer 28 predeceases him or her, the contract beneficiary or contract 29 beneficiary's estate. 30 "Contract beneficiary." The person, who may be the buyer or 19930H2347B2916 - 2 -
1 another person, whose funeral or burial is the subject of the 2 preneed contract. 3 "POD account." A separate account in a financial institution 4 also referred to as a burial reserve account for the deposit of 5 all funds paid by buyer and created by and using both the 6 buyer's and preneed provider's names and which is payable to the 7 preneed provider only upon the death of the buyer. 8 "Preneed contract." An agreement for the provision of 9 preneed goods, preneed services or both preneed goods and 10 preneed services. 11 "Preneed goods and services." Goods or services typically 12 sold or provided in connection with the final disposition of 13 human remains, purchased in advance of need and not provided or 14 delivered contemporaneously to a purchaser or bonded facility 15 with execution of the contract. The term includes, but is not 16 limited to, caskets or other primary containers, cremation or 17 transportation containers, outer burial containers, vaults, 18 grave liners, grave markers, funeral clothing or accessories, 19 monuments, cremation urns, embalming, cremation, funeral 20 directing or cemetery services and similar funeral or burial 21 items. 22 "Preneed insurance policy." Any form of insurance or 23 annuity, which is sold or utilized for the purpose of providing 24 funding for a preneed contract, regardless of how named. 25 "Preneed provider." A funeral director licensed by the 26 Commonwealth or a cemetery company registered by the 27 Commonwealth and registered under section 4 to sell preneed 28 contracts. 29 Section 3. Construction and application. 30 (a) Uniform Commercial Code.--The provisions of 13 Pa.C.S. 19930H2347B2916 - 3 -
1 Div. 2 (relating to sales) shall apply to the interpretation and 2 enforcement of preneed contracts. 3 (b) Fiduciary relationship.--A fiduciary relationship shall 4 exist between a preneed provider and a buyer. 5 Section 4. Registration. 6 (a) Registration requirement.--A preneed provider shall not 7 promote, sell or enter into a preneed contract without first 8 obtaining a preneed registration from the Bureau of Consumer 9 Protection. The registration must be renewed on an annual basis. 10 (b) Application.--A preneed provider seeking to obtain 11 preneed registration shall submit a registration fee of $150 and 12 an application on a form prescribed by the Bureau of Consumer 13 Protection which contains the following: 14 (1) The types of preneed contracts to be written. 15 (2) The types of goods and services to be sold. 16 (3) The name, address and telephone number of the place 17 of business of the preneed provider. 18 (4) The name, address, telephone number and Social 19 Security number of each owner, officer or other official of 20 the preneed provider or, if the preneed provider is a 21 corporation, of the chief executive officer and all members 22 of the board of directors. 23 (5) Any information deemed necessary by the Bureau of 24 Consumer Protection to show evidence of good moral character, 25 a reputation for fair dealing in business matters and the 26 absence of a criminal record. The Bureau of Consumer 27 Protection shall also have the right to require the applicant 28 to submit a financial statement prepared by an accountant to 29 establish financial stability. 30 (c) Individual registration.--A person shall not sell or 19930H2347B2916 - 4 -
1 promote any preneed contract without first obtaining a preneed 2 individual registration from the Bureau of Consumer Protection. 3 The registration must be renewed on an annual basis. In addition 4 to the registration required under this act, all cemetery 5 salespersons must be licensed by the State Real Estate 6 Commission and only funeral directors licensed by the State 7 Board of Funeral Directors shall be authorized to sell preneed 8 funeral service. 9 (d) Individual application.--A person seeking to obtain a 10 preneed individual registration must be at least 21 years of age 11 or older and must submit a registration fee of $50 and an 12 application on a form prescribed by the Bureau of Consumer 13 Protection which includes the following: 14 (1) The name, address, telephone number and Social 15 Security number of the person. 16 (2) The name, business address and telephone number of 17 the preneed provider for whom the person is authorized to 18 sell preneed contracts and of all other preneed providers who 19 will be providing goods and services under the contracts. 20 (3) Any information deemed necessary by the Bureau of 21 Consumer Protection to show evidence of good moral character, 22 a reputation for fair dealing in business matters and the 23 absence of a criminal record. 24 (4) A photograph of the person taken within the last six 25 months. 26 (e) Restrictions on individual registrants.--A person 27 registered under this act must be an employee or agent of a 28 preneed provider which holds a valid preneed provider 29 registration and which can deliver the goods and services sold. 30 The preneed provider shall be liable for the acts of its 19930H2347B2916 - 5 -
1 employees and agents, independent or otherwise, performed in the 2 course of obtaining or attempting to obtain a preneed contract. 3 (f) Display of registration.--Upon issuance, the preneed 4 registration shall be posted conspicuously in the preneed 5 provider's place of business. 6 (g) Outside solicitation.--A person registered under this 7 act who engages in solicitation outside of the preneed 8 provider's principal place of business shall present a copy of 9 his registration and written authorization from the preneed 10 provider upon entry onto the premises where the prospective 11 buyer is being solicited. 12 (h) Notice of changes.--A preneed provider or person 13 registered under this act must notify the Bureau of Consumer 14 Protection within 30 days of any change of any information 15 required by the Bureau of Consumer Protection for preneed 16 registration. 17 (i) Fees.--A preneed provider or a person applying for 18 preneed registration shall pay the Bureau of Consumer Protection 19 an annual fee as set forth in section 4(b) and (d), 20 respectively. The Bureau of Consumer Protection shall deposit 21 all fees into the Preneed Funeral and Burial Contract Regulation 22 Fund established under section 18. 23 (j) Denial and revocation of registration.-- 24 (1) The Bureau of Consumer Protection shall not grant a 25 preneed registration and may revoke any previously granted 26 preneed registration if the Bureau of Consumer Protection 27 finds that: 28 (i) the applicant or registrant is insolvent; 29 (ii) the applicant or registrant cannot provide the 30 goods or services described in its application; or 19930H2347B2916 - 6 -
1 (iii) the applicant or registrant has engaged in a 2 deceptive act or practice or has deliberately 3 misrepresented or omitted a material fact relative to the 4 sale of preneed contracts. 5 (2) The Bureau of Consumer Protection may exercise its 6 discretion in determining whether to grant a registration if 7 the provider: 8 (i) has failed to comply with any requirements of 9 this act or any regulations promulgated under this act; 10 or 11 (ii) has been convicted of any crime involving 12 dishonesty or false statement. 13 Section 5. Discrimination prohibited. 14 Preneed providers shall not discriminate against buyers on 15 the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, marital 16 status or sex. 17 Section 6. Marketing and solicitation. 18 (a) Solicitation of patients.--An agent or employee of a 19 preneed provider shall not visit or call upon a patient in a 20 hospital, convalescent or nursing home, rest home, charitable 21 home for the aged, infirmary, intermediate care facility for 22 persons with mental disabilities or other health care facility 23 for the purpose of soliciting or inducing the patient to enter 24 into any preneed contract, establish a preneed trust or purchase 25 a preneed insurance policy, unless: 26 (1) the agent or employee has received a request from 27 the patient or legal representative to do so prior to the 28 date of the visit; 29 (2) the agent or employee displays the registration 30 required by this act; and 19930H2347B2916 - 7 -
1 (3) the agent or employee explains at the beginning of 2 the visit that the purpose of the visit is to persuade the 3 patient to enter into a preneed contract or preneed insurance 4 policy. 5 (b) Solicitation in the home.--An agent or employee of a 6 preneed provider shall not visit or call upon any person in the 7 person's home for the purpose of soliciting or inducing the 8 person to enter into any preneed contract, establish a preneed 9 trust or purchase a preneed insurance policy, unless: 10 (1) the agent or employee has received a request from 11 the person or the person's legal representative to do so 12 prior to the date of the visit; 13 (2) the agent or employee displays the registration 14 required by this act; and 15 (3) the agent or employee explains at the beginning of 16 the visit that the purpose of the visit is to persuade the 17 person to enter into a preneed contract or preneed insurance 18 policy. 19 (c) Telephone solicitation.--Telephone solicitation of 20 preneed contracts and preneed insurance policies is permitted if 21 all of the following conditions are met: 22 (1) The person calling clearly identifies himself and 23 the product at the beginning of the communication. 24 (2) The person calling informs the prospective buyer at 25 the beginning of the communication that the purpose of the 26 call is to solicit the prospective buyer to enter into a 27 preneed contract or insurance policy. 28 (3) The communication is terminated immediately upon any 29 request to do so from the prospective buyer. 30 (d) Disclosure of information.--Upon beginning discussion of 19930H2347B2916 - 8 -
1 any preneed contract, the preneed provider or its agent or 2 employee must give the prospective buyer all information 3 required by section 7. All prices on the lists must be the same 4 as those for at-need funeral or burial goods and services at the 5 preneed provider's establishment. 6 (e) Deceptive practices prohibited.--A preneed provider and 7 its agents and employees shall not use any means, including 8 advertisements, which are unfair, false, deceptive, misleading, 9 coercive, intimidating or threatening. 10 (f) Interference with existing contract prohibited.--A 11 preneed provider and its agents and employees shall not 12 knowingly induce or attempt to induce any person to cancel or 13 revoke any preexisting preneed contract, preneed trust or 14 preneed insurance policy. 15 (g) Advertisements.--All advertisements of any kind of 16 preneed contacts, preneed trusts or preneed insurance policies 17 shall disclose the following information: 18 (1) The type of product which is to be used to fund the 19 preneed contract. 20 (2) The nature of the relationship between the agent who 21 solicits the purchase, the preneed provider, the buyer and 22 the institution which will receive or hold any funds paid in 23 connection with the purchase of the preneed contract. 24 Section 7. General contract requirements. 25 (a) Signing of contract.--Every preneed contract must be 26 signed by a registered preneed provider. 27 (b) Waiver of required provisions void.--No provisions of 28 any contract required by this act may be waived. Any attempted 29 waiver is void. 30 (c) Required disclosures.--All preneed providers, even if 19930H2347B2916 - 9 -
1 not required to do so by 16 CFR Part 453 (relating to funeral 2 industry practices), must provide every prospective buyer of a 3 preneed contract with all disclosures described in or required 4 by the provisions of 16 CFR Part 453. For items covered by this 5 act which are not covered by the provisions of 16 CFR Part 453, 6 all preneed providers shall provide disclosures similar to those 7 required by 16 CFR Part 453. 8 (d) Investment information.--With nonguaranteed plans, all 9 preneed providers must disclose at the point of sale the 10 following: 11 (1) where trust funds are invested and the current rate 12 of return; or 13 (2) the names of the insurance company writing a life 14 insurance policy to fund the preneed contract, the current 15 rate of return and, with multiple payment plans, the fact 16 that a comparison of premiums and benefits will be provided 17 (Financial Review of this Policy) when the policy is mailed 18 to the consumer. 19 Section 8. Specific contract requirements and disclosures. 20 (a) Plain language.--The provisions of the act of June 23, 21 1993 (P.L.128, No.29), known as the Plain Language Consumer 22 Contract Act, shall apply to preneed contracts. 23 (b) Identification of parties.--Each contract shall identify 24 the preneed provider, the preneed provider's address, the 25 telephone number, the registration number and the individual 26 registration number of the salesperson and shall identify the 27 buyer and the contract beneficiary, if other than the buyer, and 28 set forth their addresses. 29 (c) Identification of services.--Each contract shall specify 30 and itemize the services or goods, or both, to be provided and 19930H2347B2916 - 10 -
1 contain a statement of the law regarding substitution in 2 accordance with section 17. Goods shall be described in detail. 3 The contract shall contain specifications of materials and 4 construction and a description and the cost of each item as 5 shown on the preneed provider's current price sheet. The price 6 of all goods and services shall be itemized. 7 (d) Purchase price.--Each contract shall set forth the total 8 purchase price and the terms under which it is to be paid, 9 including any credit terms, if applicable. 10 (e) Method of funding.-- 11 (1) Each contract shall state clearly whether it is 12 funded or unfunded and, if it is funded, whether it is funded 13 by a preneed trust fund or by a preneed insurance policy. 14 (2) The contract shall also state whether it is a 15 guaranteed price contract in whole or in part or a 16 nonguaranteed price contract. 17 (f) Guaranteed price contracts.--Each guaranteed price 18 contract shall contain the following statement in 12-point bold 19 type: 20 This contract in whole or in part guarantees the buyer 21 the specific goods and services contracted for. No 22 additional charges shall be required for the items 23 specified in the contract. 24 (g) Nonguaranteed price contracts.--Each nonguaranteed price 25 contract shall contain the following statement in 12-point bold 26 type: 27 This contract does not guarantee the buyer any specific 28 goods or services. Any funds paid under this contract may 29 be only a deposit to be applied toward the final costs of 30 the goods or services contracted for. Additional charges 19930H2347B2916 - 11 -
1 may be required. 2 (h) Contract funded by preneed trust.--Each contract funded 3 by a preneed trust shall contain the following: 4 (1) The name and address of the trustee. 5 (2) The amount of money to be placed in trust. 6 (3) The percentage and total amount paid on the preneed 7 contract that the preneed provider will retain and not 8 deposit into the preneed trust. 9 (4) An explanation of the disposition of the interest, 10 including a statement of the fees, expenses and taxes which 11 may be deducted from the interest under section 12. 12 (5) A statement of the buyer's responsibility for taxes 13 owed on the interest. 14 (i) Contract funded by preneed insurance policy.--Each 15 contract funded by a preneed insurance policy shall contain the 16 following: 17 (1) The name of the company writing the insurance 18 policy. 19 (2) Other disclosures required by section 13. 20 (j) Disclosure statement.--Each contract shall be 21 accompanied by a disclosure statement containing the following: 22 (1) The name and address of the Bureau of Consumer 23 Protection and the procedure for submitting complaints to the 24 Bureau of Consumer Protection. 25 (2) A statement notifying the buyer of the $5 Preneed 26 Funeral and Burial Contract Guarantee Fund fee. 27 (3) The following statement of the buyer's cancellation 28 rights under section 9(a) in 12-point bold type: 29 You have the right to cancel this contract at any time 30 during the first 30 days. If you do so, you must receive 19930H2347B2916 - 12 -
1 back 100% of the money you have paid. If this contract is 2 funded by a preneed insurance policy, you may have longer 3 than 30 days to cancel and receive a full refund. Consult 4 your insurance policy and attachments for information 5 regarding your time to cancel. 6 (4) The following statement of the buyer's cancellation 7 rights under section 9(b) in 12-point bold type: 8 You have the right to cancel this contract at any time 9 after the first 30 days. If you cancel a contract funded 10 by a preneed trust, you will receive a refund of all the 11 money placed in trust, plus any interest earned. Only 12 reasonable administrative fees and any taxes you may have 13 authorized to be paid from the interest may be deducted 14 from this amount, as specified by law. If you cancel 15 after 30 days, you will not receive a refund of the 16 $.........(........%) that, by the terms of this 17 agreement, is not placed in trust. If you cancel a 18 contract funded by a preneed insurance policy after the 19 time for a full refund, you may not want to cancel the 20 insurance policy itself and you may want to change the 21 beneficiary or assignee on the policy. Consult your 22 contract and accompanying documents for information 23 regarding the impact of cancellation of the contract and 24 other changes. 25 (5) The following statement of the buyer's rights 26 relating to funding methods in 12-point bold type: 27 You have a right to fund this contract by any method that 28 you choose. You may choose to fund this contract through 29 your own investment, through a preneed trust account or 30 through a life insurance policy or annuity, including any 19930H2347B2916 - 13 -
1 preneed insurance policy that may be offered by the 2 preneed provider. Sale of this contract cannot be 3 conditioned on purchase of any insurance policy or 4 annuity. 5 (6) A statement explaining the buyer's rights regarding 6 changes in or relating to the funding method. 7 (k) Effect of insolvency of preneed provider.--Each contract 8 shall contain the following provision: 9 If the preneed provider is the subject of a bankruptcy or 10 other insolvency proceedings, the preneed provider will 11 be in default on this contract, and the full amount paid 12 by the buyer under the contract, together with any 13 interest or other earnings, less any reasonable 14 administrative expenses or taxes already paid, will 15 become immediately due and owing, without notice from the 16 buyer. 17 (l) Preapproval of contract.--The preneed provider shall 18 submit the form of the proposed contract to the Bureau of 19 Consumer Protection prior to its use. Any contract which has not 20 been approved by the Bureau of Consumer Protection is void. 21 Section 9. Cancellation. 22 (a) Cancellation within 30 days.--Any buyer may cancel a 23 preneed contract within 30 days after all parties have signed 24 the contract and shall receive 100% of all payments made under 25 the contract. In the case of a preneed contract funded by a 26 preneed insurance policy, the cancellation period under this 27 subsection will continue until the latest of 30 days after 28 delivery of the preneed insurance policy or expiration of the 29 period for free cancellation of the policy under the terms of 30 the policy or applicable law. No fee, surcharge, penalty or 19930H2347B2916 - 14 -
1 liquidated damages may be imposed upon the right to cancel. 2 (b) Cancellation after 30 days.--Any buyer may cancel the 3 contract at any time after the initial 30-day period and before 4 performance by the preneed provider on the contract subject to 5 the following conditions: 6 (1) In the case of a preneed contract funded by a 7 preneed trust: 8 (i) where no irrevocable arrangement has been made, 9 the buyer shall receive 100% of all moneys placed in 10 trust under the contract and all accrued interest less 11 reasonable trustee fees, administrative expenses and 12 taxes; or 13 (ii) where an irrevocable arrangement has been made, 14 the buyer shall have the right to change the beneficiary 15 of the preneed trust to a substitute preneed provider. 16 (2) In the case of a preneed contract funded by a 17 preneed insurance policy: 18 (i) where no irrevocable arrangement has been made, 19 the buyer shall have the right to change beneficiaries of 20 the policy or to cancel the policy and obtain the cash 21 surrender value; or 22 (ii) where an irrevocable arrangement has been made, 23 the buyer shall have the right to change the beneficiary 24 of the policy to a substitute preneed provider. 25 (c) Return of amount owed buyer.--If the buyer cancels a 26 preneed contract, the preneed provider shall return any amount 27 owed to the buyer within 30 days of receiving notice of the 28 cancellation. 29 (d) Notice of option to change beneficiary or assignee of 30 policy.--If a buyer of a preneed contract funded by a preneed 19930H2347B2916 - 15 -
1 insurance policy cancels the contract after the 30-day 2 cancellation period, the insurance policy is not thereby 3 canceled. The buyer shall be notified of the buyer's option to 4 change the beneficiary or assignee of the policy by a notice 5 sent to the buyer by the preneed provider within 30 days of 6 receiving notice of the cancellation. 7 (e) Substitution of preneed provider.--If the contract 8 beneficiary of a preneed contract moves or dies out of the 9 service area of the preneed provider, the buyer or the contract 10 beneficiary's estate may cancel the contract or substitute 11 another who agrees to perform at any time before original 12 preneed provider performance on the contract. If the contract is 13 canceled after the 30-day cancellation period for this reason, 14 in addition to the rights set out in subsection (b), the preneed 15 provider shall return to the canceling party any amounts 16 retained by the preneed provider under section 12. If another 17 preneed provider agrees to perform, the original preneed 18 provider shall transfer any amounts retained under section 12 to 19 the substitute preneed provider. 20 Section 10. Credit life insurance. 21 (a) Option to purchase.--When the preneed contract is to be 22 paid in installments, the preneed provider may make arrangements 23 to offer the buyer the option to acquire and maintain credit 24 life insurance on the life of the buyer. The insurance shall 25 provide for the payment of death benefits to the preneed 26 provider in an amount equal to the total of all contract 27 payments unpaid as of the date of the buyer's death and shall be 28 used solely to make those unpaid payments. 29 (b) Disclosure of costs.--All costs of the insurance shall 30 be disclosed in clear language, and inquiry shall be made of the 19930H2347B2916 - 16 -
1 buyer whether he or she understands the terms of the insurance 2 contract and is aware of the total cost of the insurance. 3 (c) Required purchase prohibited.--Under no circumstances 4 may the preneed provider require the buyer to purchase credit 5 life insurance. 6 (d) Compliance with other laws.--Sale of a policy of credit 7 life insurance shall in all other respects be in compliance with 8 the act of September 2, 1961 (P.L.1232, No.540), known as the 9 Model Act for the Regulation of Credit Life Insurance and Credit 10 Accident and Health Insurance, and other applicable laws. 11 Section 11. Funding methods for preneed contracts. 12 (a) Option to fund.--The buyer must be given the option of 13 funding the preneed contract with a trust and may choose not to 14 fund the preneed contract. The preneed provider need not make 15 arrangements to offer a preneed insurance policy as a funding 16 option. A person may not change the method of funding the 17 preneed contract without the buyer's written consent given after 18 receipt of disclosures regarding the proposed new method of 19 funding similar to those required by sections 8, 12 and 13. 20 (b) Trust account.--Within five business days of receipt, 21 100% of the amount received in payment of a preneed contract, 22 unless already used to purchase a preneed insurance policy, 23 shall be deposited into a preneed trust account in a federally 24 insured financial institution. The trust funds may be held in a 25 separate account or a common fund. If held in a common fund, 26 individual records shall be kept. The funds may not be used for 27 any purpose except as authorized by this act and may not be 28 deposited in any account other than the trust account. 29 (c) Purchase of a preneed insurance policy.--A preneed 30 insurance policy may be purchased using the amounts received in 19930H2347B2916 - 17 -
1 payment of the preneed contract at any time within the 30-day 2 cancellation period. The buyer of the preneed contract funded by 3 a preneed insurance policy purchased before expiration of the 4 30-day cancellation period shall have 30 days from the time of 5 payment of the premium for the insurance or annuity contract to 6 cancel it without any penalty and shall be entitled to a full 7 refund. The preneed provider shall provider the buyer with 8 written notice of the extension of time to cancel 9 contemporaneously with delivery of the policy. The notice shall 10 be attached to the policy. 11 (d) Applicability.--This act shall not apply to the funding 12 of a prearranged funeral or burial by the establishment of a POD 13 account in a financial institution. 14 Section 12. Preneed trusts. 15 (a) Transfer of funds from trust account.--Funds received in 16 payment of a preneed contract where the buyer has selected a 17 trust as set forth in section 11(b) as the manner of funding the 18 preneed contract shall be accounted for as follows: 19 (1) Five dollars shall be paid by the preneed provider 20 on a monthly basis to the Preneed Funeral and Burial Contract 21 Guarantee Fund established under section 19. 22 (2) A minimum of 90% of the amount received in payment 23 of a guaranteed price preneed contract shall remain in the 24 trust fund in a federally insured financial institution. The 25 preneed provider may receive up to 10% of the amount paid on 26 the preneed contract but must disclose to the buyer the 27 percentage and amount to be received. 28 (3) One hundred percent of the amount received in 29 payment of a nonguaranteed price preneed contract shall be 30 deposited into a trust fund in a federally insured financial 19930H2347B2916 - 18 -
1 institution. 2 (b) Separate or common trust fund.--The trust funds may be 3 held in a separate account or in a common trust fund. If held in 4 a common fund, individual records shall be kept. 5 (c) Selection of trustee.--The trustee of the fund may be 6 anyone authorized under law to perform the functions of a 7 trustee. Under no circumstances, however, may the preneed 8 provider or any of its employees, agents or affiliates serve as 9 the trustee. The contract beneficiary shall be the beneficiary 10 of the trust. 11 (d) Fiduciary duties.--The trustee is subject to the 12 fiduciary duties imposed by law. 13 (e) Form of trust account.--The preneed trust account may 14 take the form of: 15 (1) a federally insured bank account within this 16 Commonwealth; or 17 (2) any other form of investment within this 18 Commonwealth which may lawfully be established or maintained 19 by the trust department of the financial institution in which 20 the preneed trust account is established. 21 (f) Conflict of interest.--The federally insured financial 22 institution in which trust funds are held shall not be owned by 23 a preneed provider having in excess of 10% of the outstanding 24 stock or under the control of the preneed provider and shall not 25 use any funds required to be held in trust to purchase an 26 increase in any contract or agreement to which the preneed 27 provider is a party, or otherwise to invest, directly or 28 indirectly, in the preneed provider's business operation. 29 (g) Records.--The trustee shall maintain within this 30 Commonwealth in the location specified in the preneed provider's 19930H2347B2916 - 19 -
1 annual report to the Bureau of Consumer Protection a separate, 2 written record for each preneed trust containing the following 3 information: 4 (1) The name, address and telephone number of the 5 preneed contract buyer. 6 (2) The name, address, telephone number, date of birth 7 and Social Security number of the named trust beneficiary. 8 (3) The date on which the preneed trust was originally 9 established and the amount of money originally deposited. 10 (4) The balance in the trust account, on a monthly 11 basis. 12 (5) A description of the form and manner in which the 13 trust funds are invested. 14 (6) A copy of the individual trust agreement or, in the 15 case of a common or commingled trust account, a copy of the 16 master trust agreement for the common account. 17 (7) Written documentation sufficient to demonstrate 18 compliance with the requirements of sections 11 and 14 with 19 respect to all changes in the terms or provisions of the 20 trust. 21 (h) Common or commingled trust account.--In the case of any 22 common or commingled preneed trust account, a separate written 23 record which complies with the requirements of subsection (g) 24 shall be maintained for each separate trust beneficiary. 25 (i) Notice of change of trustee.--The trustee and the 26 preneed provider must notify the buyer, beneficiary and the 27 Bureau of Consumer Protection if there is a change of trustee. 28 (j) Annual report by trustee.--The trustee shall provide the 29 Bureau of Consumer Protection with an annual report of all funds 30 deposited, interest earned, fees paid, withdrawals made and 19930H2347B2916 - 20 -
1 disbursements after performance of contract obligations during 2 the previous year. A copy of the Internal Revenue Service Form 3 1099 shall be furnished to the preneed contract buyers annually. 4 (k) Trust income.--The income from the trust on all preneed 5 contracts shall remain with the principal, but may be used to 6 pay taxes, reasonable trustee fees and administrative expenses 7 incurred in the administration of the trust. The Bureau of 8 Consumer Protection shall, by rule, establish standards for the 9 amount of fees and expenses which may be deducted from the 10 income. 11 (l) Disbursement of trust funds.--No disbursement shall be 12 made to a preneed provider unless the preneed provider has first 13 certified to the trustee, on a form to be prescribed by the 14 Bureau of Consumer Protection, that all obligations have been 15 performed and all goods and services required by the preneed 16 contract have been delivered. The certification shall contain an 17 itemization of the goods and services that it has provided. The 18 amount of the disbursement to a preneed provider shall be as 19 follows: 20 (1) On a guaranteed price contract, the actual price of 21 the items in the preneed contract, as reflected on the 22 preneed provider's current price list. 23 (2) On a nonguaranteed price contract, the actual price 24 of the items in the preneed contract, as reflected on the 25 preneed provider's current price list. 26 (m) Remaining amount.--At the time of disbursement, any 27 amount remaining after disbursement and the payment of trustee 28 fees, administrative expenses and taxes shall be returned to the 29 estate of the buyer. 30 (n) Periodic audits.--The Bureau of Consumer Protection 19930H2347B2916 - 21 -
1 shall order periodic audits of the trust funds with such audits 2 occurring at least once every three years. The cost of the 3 audits shall be borne by the preneed provider. 4 Section 13. Preneed insurance policies. 5 (a) Transfer of funds.--Funds received in payment of a 6 preneed contract where the buyer has selected a preneed 7 insurance policy as the manner of funding the preneed contract 8 shall be distributed as follows: 9 (1) Five dollars to the Preneed Funeral and Burial 10 Contract Guarantee Fund established under section 19. 11 (2) The remaining amount shall be used to purchase the 12 preneed insurance policy. 13 (b) Requiring insurance prohibited.--A preneed provider 14 shall not require a buyer to purchase any insurance policy as a 15 condition of entering into any preneed funeral contract. 16 (c) Sale of insurance.--A person who sells or offers to sell 17 a preneed insurance policy as a manner to fund a preneed 18 contract must be licensed by the Insurance Department to sell 19 insurance in this Commonwealth. 20 (d) Rating of insurance company.--The preneed provider must 21 disclose to the buyer the ratings of the insurance company from 22 which the preneed insurance policy is to be purchased and 23 furnish the buyer with a meaningful key to interpret the ratings 24 before the preneed contract is signed. 25 (e) Required disclosures.--If a preneed insurance policy is 26 used to fund a preneed contract, before the contract is signed, 27 the following must be disclosed: 28 (1) The fact that a preneed insurance policy is being 29 used to fund payment of the total purchase price of the 30 preneed contract. 19930H2347B2916 - 22 -
1 (2) The nature of the relationship among the individuals 2 selling the preneed contract, the preneed provider, the 3 insurer and any other person. 4 (3) The relationship of the preneed insurance policy to 5 the funding of the preneed contract and the nature and 6 existence of any guarantees relating to the preneed contract. 7 (4) The impact on the preneed contract, including any 8 penalties, restrictions, entitlements or obligations, 9 resulting from: 10 (i) any changes in the policy, including, but not 11 limited to, changes in the assignment, beneficiary 12 designation or use of the proceeds; 13 (ii) the policyholder's failure to make premium 14 payments; 15 (iii) cancellation or surrender of the preneed 16 policy by the policyholder; 17 (iv) any difference at the time of delivery between 18 the proceeds of the policy and the amount actually needed 19 to fund the preneed contract; 20 (v) the death of the contract beneficiary in a 21 location not within the preneed provider's service area, 22 which area shall be determined by the buyer; and 23 (vi) the inability of the preneed provider to 24 perform on the preneed contract. 25 (5) The impact on the insurance policy of the buyer's 26 cancellation of the preneed contract, the cash surrender 27 value of the policy at yearly intervals and the option of the 28 buyer to change the beneficiary of the policy if the preneed 29 contract is canceled. 30 (f) Financial information.--If a preneed insurance policy 19930H2347B2916 - 23 -
1 limits death benefits during a period following the inception 2 date of the policy or where the accumulated premiums exceed the 3 death benefit at any point during the first ten years, then a 4 form entitled "Financial Review of this Policy" or a form 5 containing substantially similar information and approved by the 6 Insurance Commissioner shall be completed by the insurer and 7 delivered simultaneously with the policy. In such a case, the 8 cancellation period shall be extended by 10 days. 9 (g) Required notice.--Prior to taking an application for a 10 policy which is subject to the disclosure requirements of 11 subsection (h), the insurer must provide the applicant with a 12 conspicuous notice in the following form or in a form containing 13 substantially similar information approved by the Insurance 14 Commissioner. 15 NOTICE TO APPLICANTS 16 With your policy, you will receive a form entitled 17 "Financial Review of this Policy," showing premiums and 18 benefits for a ten-year period. You should review the 19 form along with your policy and decide whether the policy 20 is suitable for you. If you are not entirely satisfied, 21 please review the cancellation provision on the form for 22 directions on obtaining a full refund of any premiums 23 paid. 24 (h) Payment to preneed provider.--Payment of the proceeds of 25 a preneed insurance policy shall not be made to a preneed 26 provider unless the preneed provider has first certified to the 27 insurance company, on a form to be prescribed by the Bureau of 28 Consumer Protection, that all obligations have been performed 29 and that all goods and services required by the preneed contract 30 have been delivered. The certification shall contain an 19930H2347B2916 - 24 -
1 itemization of the goods and services that the preneed provider 2 has supplied. 3 (i) Remaining proceeds.--At the time of payment of the 4 proceeds of the policy, any proceeds remaining after payment to 5 the preneed provider for performance of the contract shall be 6 returned to the estate of the buyer. 7 (j) Application of act to insurance and annuities.--The 8 requirements of this act relating to preneed insurance policies 9 shall apply to any and all forms of insurance or annuities which 10 are sold or utilized for the purpose of providing funding for a 11 preneed burial contract, regardless of how named. 12 (k) Construction of act.--This act shall not be construed as 13 regulating the business of insurance. 14 Section 14. Performance and substitution of preneed provider. 15 (a) Full and partial performance.--A preneed provider is 16 only entitled to payment of funds from the preneed trust or 17 preneed insurance policy if the contract has been fully 18 performed. If the preneed provider who is a party to the preneed 19 contract has delivered or performed only a portion of the goods 20 and services under the contract, the funds shall be allocated as 21 provided in subsection (d). 22 (b) Inability to fully perform.--If the preneed provider is 23 unable to fully perform the contract, the buyer may: 24 (1) cancel the contract under section 9; or 25 (2) either the preneed provider or the buyer may 26 substitute a different preneed provider for all or part of 27 the contract, if both the buyer and the substitute preneed 28 provider agree. 29 (c) Complete inability to perform.--If the preneed provider 30 is completely unable to perform the contract, the preneed 19930H2347B2916 - 25 -
1 provider shall return any amount the preneed provider has kept 2 from the amounts paid under the contract to: 3 (1) the substitute preneed provider, if one is agreed 4 upon; or 5 (2) the buyer, if the buyer chooses to cancel the 6 contract. 7 (d) Allocation of contract price.--If the original preneed 8 provider is able to perform only part of the contract and the 9 buyer and a substitute preneed provider agree to the substitute 10 preneed provider's performance of the remainder of the contract, 11 the preneed provider named in the contract and the substitute 12 preneed provider shall each be entitled to a total compensation 13 in an amount that is proportional to the contract price of the 14 goods and services that were provided by each. The amount that 15 the original preneed provider shall receive from the funds of 16 the preneed trust or the preneed insurance policy shall be 17 reduced by the amount that it received from the contract 18 payments prior to the placement of any sums in trust or purchase 19 of the preneed insurance policy. 20 Section 15. Change in preneed provider's status. 21 (a) Notice prior to cessation of business.--A preneed 22 provider must notify the buyer of a preneed contract, the 23 trustee of a preneed trust and the Bureau of Consumer Protection 24 of a proposed cessation of business by the preneed provider at 25 least 30 days prior to the effective date of cessation of 26 business. Notice must be in writing by certified mail, return 27 receipt requested. 28 (b) Notice of transfer of ownership.--A preneed provider 29 must notify the buyer of a preneed contract, the trustee of a 30 preneed trust and the Bureau of Consumer Protection of any 19930H2347B2916 - 26 -
1 transfer of ownership or sale or assignment of any assets or 2 stock within ten days after the transfer, sale or assignment. 3 Notice must be in writing by certified mail, return receipt 4 requested. 5 (c) Cancellation by buyer.--If the preneed provider ceases 6 business or transfers ownership and if the buyer chooses to 7 cancel within 30 days of receipt of notice of the action, the 8 buyer shall be entitled to a return of any amounts retained by 9 the preneed provider from the payments on the preneed contract, 10 in addition to the amounts the buyer would be entitled to under 11 section 9. 12 (d) Notice of bankruptcy proceeding.--If the preneed 13 provider makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors or 14 enters into any other debt reorganization plan or is the subject 15 of any bankruptcy or receivership proceeding, the preneed 16 provider shall notify the buyer, the trustee of a preneed trust 17 and the Bureau of Consumer Protection of the action and shall 18 send the buyer an explanation of how the buyer's rights and 19 obligations under the preneed contract will be affected. Notice 20 must be in writing by certified mail, return receipt requested. 21 (e) Assignment of contract.--If the preneed provider is for 22 any reason unable, unwilling or is relieved of its 23 responsibility to perform on the preneed contract, the Bureau of 24 Consumer Protection, with the buyer's permission, may order that 25 the contract be assigned to a substitute preneed provider. 26 (f) Qualifications of substitute preneed provider.--A 27 substitute preneed provider must be licensed by the Commonwealth 28 and registered as a preneed provider. A substitute preneed 29 provider must agree to accept assignment of the preneed 30 contract. 19930H2347B2916 - 27 -
1 Section 16. Substitution of trustee and trusts. 2 The trustee of any preneed trust may transfer the funds held 3 in trust to another trust or a new trustee may be substituted, 4 only upon written notice sent certified mail, return receipt 5 requested to the buyer, the Bureau of Consumer Protection and 6 the preneed provider. Notice shall be sent ten days prior to the 7 transfer or substitution. 8 Section 17. Substitution of goods and services. 9 (a) Unavailability of goods and services specified in 10 contract.--If the particular goods and services specified in the 11 contract are unavailable at the time of delivery, the preneed 12 provider shall furnish without additional charge goods and 13 services similar in style and at least equal in quality of 14 material and workmanship. 15 (b) Evaluation of substitute goods and services.--The 16 evaluation of style and quality shall be based on objective 17 criteria set forth in the contract, as required by section 8. 18 (c) Selection of substitute goods and services.--The person 19 or persons making arrangements for the funeral of the deceased 20 contract beneficiary shall choose the goods and services to be 21 substituted, and this choice must be reasonably based on the 22 standards in subsections (a) and (b). In such case, the person 23 making the funeral arrangements shall be given all the 24 disclosures required by section 7(c). 25 Section 18. Preneed Funeral and Burial Contract Regulation 26 Fund. 27 There shall be established within the State Treasury a 28 separate restricted account to be known as the Preneed Funeral 29 and Burial Contract Regulation Fund into which moneys collected 30 under sections 4(i) and 22(a) shall be deposited for use by the 19930H2347B2916 - 28 -
1 Bureau of Consumer Protection in administering and enforcing 2 this act. 3 Section 19. Preneed Funeral and Burial Contract Guarantee Fund. 4 (a) Establishment.--There is hereby established within the 5 State Treasury a separate interest-bearing, nonlapsing, 6 restricted account known as the Preneed Funeral and Burial 7 Contract Guarantee Fund into which moneys collected under 8 subsection (b) shall be deposited. 9 (b) Deposit of fees.--Each preneed provider shall pay a fee 10 of $5 out of the funds received for each preneed contract and 11 shall forward the fee to the Bureau of Consumer Protection no 12 later than the last business day of each month. The contract 13 shall be recorded by the Bureau of Consumer Protection. Within 14 ten days after receiving the fee, the Bureau of Consumer 15 Protection shall notify the contract buyer by mail of the 16 recording. The fees shall be placed by the Bureau of Consumer 17 Protection in the Preneed Funeral and Burial Contract Guarantee 18 Fund, which shall be under the control of the Bureau of Consumer 19 Protection, and the income on the fees shall accrue to the fund. 20 Moneys in the Preneed Funeral and Burial Contract Guarantee Fund 21 may be expended to purchase insurance to cover losses guaranteed 22 by the Preneed Funeral and Burial Contract Guarantee Fund. 23 (c) Submission of claim.--In the event the buyer of any 24 preneed funeral contract is unable to receive the benefits of 25 the buyer's contract or to receive the funds due by reason of 26 cancellation of the contract, the buyer may submit a claim to 27 the Bureau of Consumer Protection on a form supplied by the 28 Bureau of Consumer Protection. Upon a finding by the Bureau of 29 Consumer Protection that the benefits or return of money paid to 30 the preneed provider is not available to the buyer, the Bureau 19930H2347B2916 - 29 -
1 of Consumer Protection will cause payment to be made to the 2 buyer from the Preneed Funeral and Burial Contract Guarantee 3 Fund. In all such cases the Bureau of Consumer Protection shall 4 be subrogated to the buyer's claims against the preneed provider 5 for any amounts paid from the Preneed Funeral and Burial 6 Contract Guarantee Fund. 7 (d) Payment of award by court.--If the preneed provider's 8 liability for default is subsequently proven, any award made by 9 a court of law up to the amount paid to the buyer shall be made 10 payable to the Preneed Funeral and Burial Contract Guarantee 11 Fund. 12 Section 20. Regulations. 13 The Bureau of Consumer Protection may adopt, after public 14 hearing, such rules and regulations as may be necessary for the 15 enforcement and administration of this act. 16 Section 21. Preneed Funeral and Burial Contract Advisory Board. 17 (a) Establishment.--There is hereby created a Preneed 18 Funeral and Burial Contract Advisory Board to advise the Bureau 19 of Consumer Protection regarding the promulgation of regulations 20 for the administration and enforcement of this act and on all 21 matters relating to preneed burial contracts. 22 (b) Composition.--The board shall be comprised of the 23 following: 24 (1) Two members representing funeral directors. 25 (2) Two members representing cemetery companies. 26 (3) Two members representing senior citizens. 27 (4) One member representing a consumer interest 28 organization. 29 (c) Appointment of members.--The Director of the Bureau of 30 Consumer Protection or a designee shall chair the advisory board 19930H2347B2916 - 30 -
1 and shall appoint the members. 2 (d) Term of members.--All members shall be appointed for a 3 period of two years, except that one-half of the initial members 4 shall serve for three years. 5 (e) Meetings.--The board shall meet at times fixed by the 6 Director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection, but not less than 7 once per year. 8 (f) Annual report.--The board shall prepare an annual report 9 of its activities and shall submit the report to the Consumer 10 Protection and Professional Licensure Committee of the Senate 11 and the Consumer Affairs Committee of the House of 12 Representatives. 13 Section 22. Violations and enforcement. 14 (a) Penalty.--It is a violation of this act for a person to 15 engage in the sale of preneed contracts without complying with 16 the requirements of this act. Violation of this act by a preneed 17 provider is grounds for disciplinary action by its licensing 18 authority. Any person or any preneed provider who violates this 19 act shall pay a civil penalty of not less than $1,000 nor more 20 than $5,000 for each violation. 21 (b) Unfair trade practice.--A violation of this act 22 constitutes a violation of the act of December 17, 1968 23 (P.L.1224, No.387), known as the Unfair Trade Practices and 24 Consumer Protection Law. 25 (c) Private right of action.--A buyer shall have a private 26 right of action against any person who violates this act. In 27 addition to an action for violation of this act, if any preneed 28 provider fails to perform on a preneed contract, the buyer shall 29 also have a cause of action for breach of contract and damages 30 under 13 Pa.C.S. Div. 2 (relating to sales), including 19930H2347B2916 - 31 -
1 incidental and consequential damages. Any buyer who prevails in 2 an action brought for a violation of this act shall be awarded 3 reasonable attorney fees and costs of the action. In an action 4 for violation of any provision of this act, the buyer has a 5 right to inspect and copy any documents relative to the action 6 in the possession of the Bureau of Consumer Protection or any 7 other agency involved in the investigation or enforcement of 8 this act. 9 (d) Investigation and enforcement.--The Bureau of Consumer 10 Protection has the primary responsibility and power to 11 investigate and enforce the provisions of this act. In so doing, 12 the Bureau of Consumer Protection shall coordinate and work with 13 any other agency that has jurisdiction over any matter relating 14 to this act. 15 (e) Employment of counsel and staff.--The Bureau of Consumer 16 Protection shall, using the fees collected under section 4(i) 17 and the penalties collected under subsection (a), employ 18 qualified legal counsel and other staff to monitor, investigate, 19 audit and otherwise be responsible for the enforcement of this 20 act. 21 (f) Referral for criminal prosecution.--If the Bureau of 22 Consumer Protection believes that grounds exist for the criminal 23 prosecution of persons subject to this act, the Bureau of 24 Consumer Protection shall forward to the Attorney General all 25 evidence and other information for prosecution of the case. If 26 the Bureau of Consumer Protection believes that any person or 27 preneed provider has violated any other statute or regulation, 28 the Bureau of Consumer Protection shall forward to the 29 appropriate agency all evidence and other information relating 30 to the alleged violation. 19930H2347B2916 - 32 -
1 (g) Powers of the Bureau of Consumer Protection.--The Bureau 2 of Consumer Protection shall have all powers necessary for the 3 administration and enforcement of this act, including, but not 4 limited to, the power to: 5 (1) investigate and require production of documents 6 relating to any preneed contract, preneed funds or preneed 7 insurance policy; 8 (2) hold hearings and require the appearance of any 9 person; 10 (3) issue cease and desist orders; 11 (4) issue restitution orders; 12 (5) apply to the court for a receivership; 13 (6) apply to the court for injunctions and temporary 14 restraining orders; and 15 (7) suspend or revoke certification. 16 (h) Records and audit.--Every preneed provider shall keep 17 its accounts and records according to generally recognized 18 accounting methods. 19 (i) Annual report.--Every preneed provider shall file with 20 the Bureau of Consumer Protection an annual report on a form 21 prescribed by the Bureau of Consumer Protection, containing the 22 following information: 23 (1) All information required in the application for 24 registration to sell preneed contracts. 25 (2) The total amount of all funds deposited in preneed 26 trusts or used to pay for preneed insurance policies for that 27 year, on an annual and quarterly basis. 28 (3) The total amount of all funds outstanding in preneed 29 trusts or in preneed insurance contracts, on an annual and 30 quarterly basis. 19930H2347B2916 - 33 -
1 (4) The total number and amount of preneed contracts 2 sold, on an annual and quarterly basis. 3 (5) The total number and amount of preneed contracts 4 outstanding, on an annual and quarterly basis. 5 (6) The total amount of money received that year, on an 6 annual and quarterly basis, from the sale of preneed 7 contracts sold in the past year and sold in previous years. 8 (7) The total amount of money received that year, on an 9 annual and quarterly basis, from the interest or other 10 earnings, commissions or other fees from preneed contracts 11 sold in the past year and sold in previous years. 12 (8) The names and addresses of the buyer and contract 13 beneficiary, if different from the buyer, of each contract 14 sold within the last year and the amount of each. 15 (9) The funding methods used for the preneed contracts 16 sold in the last year by the preneed provider and the 17 percentage of contracts, by both amount and number, funded by 18 each method. 19 (10) The number and amount of any withdrawals from, or 20 any changes of status of, any preneed trust account. 21 (11) The names and addresses of each financial 22 institution, investment company, insurance company or other 23 party involved in the funding of preneed contracts by the 24 preneed provider. 25 (12) The location of the preneed provider's 26 establishment and any trustee's accounts and other records. 27 (j) Individual records.--Every preneed provider shall keep 28 individual records for each preneed contract sold. These records 29 shall contain the following information: 30 (1) The name and address of each buyer. 19930H2347B2916 - 34 -
1 (2) The name, address, telephone number and Social 2 Security number of each contract beneficiary. 3 (3) The date and total amount of each contract. 4 (4) If the contract is funded by a preneed trust: 5 (i) the date the trust was originally established; 6 (ii) the amount originally deposited; 7 (iii) the balance in the trust account, on a monthly 8 basis; 9 (iv) a description of the form and manner in which 10 the funds are invested; 11 (v) a copy of the trust agreement or master trust 12 agreement if accounts are commingled; and 13 (vi) the name and address of the trustee and the 14 financial institution establishing the trust. 15 (5) If the contract is funded by a preneed insurance 16 policy: 17 (i) the date the policy was purchased; 18 (ii) the amount paid for the policy; and 19 (iii) the name and address of the insurance company. 20 (6) Written documentation to demonstrate compliance with 21 the requirements for any changes in the terms or provisions 22 of any trust or in the method of funding the contract. 23 (k) Location of records.--All records kept by a preneed 24 provider, trustee or insurance company relating to any preneed 25 contract shall be kept within this Commonwealth. 26 Section 23. Repeals. 27 (a) Absolute.--The following acts and parts of acts are 28 repealed: 29 Section 13(c) of the act of January 14, 1952 (1951 P.L.1898, 30 No.522), known as the Funeral Director Law. 19930H2347B2916 - 35 -
1 Act of August 14, 1963 (P.L.1059, No.459), entitled "An act 2 prohibiting future need sales of cemetery merchandise and 3 services, funeral merchandise and services, except under certain 4 conditions; requiring the establishment of and deposit into a 5 merchandise trust fund of certain amount of the proceeds of any 6 such sale; providing for the administration of such trust funds 7 and the payment of money therefrom; conferring powers and 8 imposing duties on orphans' courts, and prescribing penalties." 9 (b) General.--All other acts and parts of acts are repealed 10 insofar as they are inconsistent with this act. 11 Section 24. Effective date. 12 This act shall take effect in 60 days. L3L12BIL/19930H2347B2916 - 36 -