HB88 Summary - Alabama Board of Funeral Service

• Regulatory Scope: Comprehensively amends Alabama funeral service laws governing the Alabama Board of Funeral Service, funeral establishments, mortuary services, and licensing of funeral directors and embalmers.

• Fee Increases: Substantially increases application fees, examination fees, renewal fees, inspection fees, and penalties across all funeral service licenses and permits (e.g., funeral director application fee increased from $100 to $150, embalmer license fee increased to $500).

• Funeral Service Definitions and Requirements: Defines "mortuary service" as a location providing embalming or cremation without retail sales; establishes minimum facility requirements including preparation rooms with sanitary equipment, display rooms with caskets, and vehicles for transporting remains.

• Operational Requirements: Requires all funeral service pricing conform to Federal Trade Commission rules; establishes procedures for authorizing agents to direct disposition of remains; limits liability of funeral directors relying on authorized agents; requires failure to cooperate with board as grounds for disciplinary action.

• Board Governance and Enforcement: Increases board member per diem from 10 to 20 days per year; allows board to delegate examination administration; establishes formal complaint procedures with hearings; prohibits crematory facilities from cremating deceased animals; repeals outdated provisions regarding apprentice licenses and donor eye enucleation licenses.