SB624 Summary

• Consolidates three boards into one: Abolishes the State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors, the Burial Association Board, and the Arkansas Cemetery Board, transferring all powers and duties to a new State Board of Embalmers, Funeral Directors, Cemeteries, and Burial Services within the State Insurance Department.

• New board structure: Creates a nine-member board consisting of the Insurance Commissioner (voting member), two licensed embalmers/funeral directors, two cemetery operators, two burial association professionals, one consumer representative, and one elderly representative (age 60+), all appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate for five-year terms.

• Comprehensive regulatory authority: The new board oversees licensing and regulation of embalmers, funeral directors, funeral establishments, cemeteries, burial associations, crematoria, and human remains transportation with power to establish standards, conduct examinations, revoke licenses, and impose penalties.

• Effective date: The consolidation takes effect on July 1, 2018, with all existing rules from the abolished boards automatically transferred to the new board.

• Extensive code updates: Updates Arkansas Code references throughout Title 17 (embalmers/funeral directors), Title 20 (cemeteries), and Title 23 (burial associations) to reflect the new consolidated board structure and naming.