AR SB598

Amends Arkansas Cemetery Act to define "infant interment garden" as a designated area in perpetual care cemeteries for interments of infants and children no more than 24 months of age, with no charges to families for space, interment, or opening and closing services

Modifies Cemetery Board membership requirements to specify that four of six Governor-appointed members must be owners or operators of licensed perpetual care cemeteries (changed from "licensed cemeteries")

Enhances regulation of cemetery ownership transfers by clarifying "controlling interest" definition (51% or more ownership or voting rights) and requiring comprehensive application documentation including financial statements, title opinions, and merchandise accounting

Increases criminal penalties for violations from $6,000 fine to $10,000 fine or up to 6 years imprisonment, and authorizes board to levy civil fines up to $10,000 per violation or amount equal to money received in connection with violation

Extends annual reporting deadlines for cemetery companies and permanent maintenance fund trustees from 60 to 75 days after calendar year end, and adds new requirement for cemeteries to maintain interment records including name, date, and location of deceased