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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2017 - 2018
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | February 27, 2017 10:12 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Jason Dawkins and Rep. Morgan Cephas |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Funeral Costs - General Price Lists |
| In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation, which amends the Act of January 14, 1952, known as the Funeral Director Law to require funeral homes to provide pricing information when requested, and further, have a general price list posted on their website if they have one. With my bill, I am seeking to provide more information to consumers during the difficult time when they are laying their loved ones to rest. With the cost of funeral goods and services clearly defined and disclosed at the start of the process, we can help those who are mourning and in need. In fact, some funeral directors are failing to comply with federal law, known as “The Funeral Rule.” As written, the Funeral Rule requires funeral directors to provide consumers with a general price list of services and costs when requested. A grieving family should not be required to spend lengthy hours searching for information regarding the cost to provide a funeral service for their deceased loved ones. Therefore, it is necessary we provide additional enforcement at the state level. Similar legislation has passed in California. If enacted, my legislation would require funeral directors to provide a written or printed list of prices and goods offered at the beginning of discussion of prices, professional services offered, and goods. This list must include preparation of the body, use of facilities, use of automotive equipment, and casket options. Additionally, a statement must be included indicating that the responsible party is entitled to receive a copy of a preneed agreement that has been signed and paid for prior to the drafting of a contract. Further, if specific casket information is requested in person or over the phone, the funeral director must provide a list that, at a minimum, identifies caskets by price, by thickness of metal, type of wood, or other construction, interior and color. Lastly, each licensed funeral establishment that maintains a website must post the general list of services and goods, and provide a statement that the general price list is available upon request. Please join me in co-sponsoring this important legislation. |
Introduced as HB1078